Several Bristlecone team members attended Gartner’s Supply Chain Symposium in Orlando this week. For those who couldn’t make it, here are my observations and key takeaways from conversations with attendees, 1:1s with leading analysts, sessions, and time spent walking the event floor.
1
Tariffs are all-consuming – and paralyzing.
I had literally zero conversations this week that didn’t include comments on tariffs. That’s probably not surprising to anyone reading a supply chain blog. What was surprising, though, was how little action most companies seem to be taking in response.
“Watchful waiting” appears to be the default strategy. Yes, many companies are slowing or halting orders from China. But large-scale moves – like reshoring manufacturing, shifting suppliers, or making meaningful investments in agility – are mostly on pause. The most common refrain? “The next 90 days will tell us a lot.”
In the meantime, action plans seem to center on improving supplier collaboration, enhancing visibility (a perennial challenge), and strengthening scenario planning.
2
If we weren’t talking about tariffs, we were talking about AI.
Dozens of mid-level attendees (managers and directors) said they were there to get smarter about AI. But conversations with senior supply chain leaders (VPs, SVPs, CSCOs) have clearly shifted from education to prioritization.
The top AI use cases in supply chain are coming into focus, with early adoption centered on:
- Planning (especially S&OP and demand management)
- Scenario planning
- Tariff management (which often circles back to scenarios again)
Interestingly, while tech providers have already shifted the conversation from GenAI to agentic AI, end users weren’t drawing distinctions between AI, machine learning, GenAI, or agents. They just want to leverage AI to solve real business problems. That’s a critical reminder for those of us in services: always speak to the problem we’re solving and the ROI we’re delivering
3
Nothing replaces face-to-face.
As a consultant, my office is usually either my home or an airplane. But after a recent Bristlecone leadership offsite, a trip to Dallas for our board meeting, and now this Gartner event, I’m reminded how powerful in-person interactions can be.
Relationship-building accelerates dramatically when people meet IRL. I still advocate for hybrid environments for most teams, but it’s clear that events and meetings designed with socialization, team-building, ideation, and knowledge-sharing in mind offer outsized value. These elements should be intentionally woven into how we work – whether hybrid or fully onsite. Even 100% back-to-office organizations need to invest in face-to-face activities that promote trust, connection, and camaraderie.
Bottom line: Whether it’s navigating uncertainty, figuring out how to apply AI, or strengthening relationships – there’s no substitute for showing up, listening, and having real conversations. That’s what moves the needle.
Jennifer Chew
VP, Solutions and Consulting
Bristlecone
