Member Resources

2026 Global Logistics & Supply Chain Conference

Global supply chains continue to evolve rapidly as manufacturers and retailers navigate shifting freight markets, emerging technologies and ongoing disruptions across transportation networks. AHFA’s 2026 Global Logistics & Supply Chain Conference brought together leaders from across the home furnishings industry to examine these challenges and share strategies for building stronger, more resilient supply chains. The conference took place June 15–17 at the Delta Hotels Virginia Beach Waterfront Suites in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The event connected home furnishings manufacturers, importers and retailers with transportation, logistics and supply chain professionals to explore the latest trends, operational strategies and technologies shaping global logistics.

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TUESDAY, JUNE 16

SESSION 1: Navigating Disruption — Policy, Capacity, and the Road Ahead for U.S. Freight (Keynote)
Chris Spear
 – CEO/President
American Trucking Associations (ATA)

SESSION 2: Partnering for Agility in Furniture Logistics (3PL Panel)
Josh DeLay
– VP of Final Mile Business Development, J.B. Hunt
Corry Dickerson – Founder/President, Dickerson Transportation Solutions
Tara Massood – VP, Massood Logistics

SESSION 3: Solving the Growing Complexity of the Final Mile
Reade Kidd
 – Co-Founder
EDRAY
View Presentation

SESSION 4: The Amazon Effect on Furniture Supply Chains
Michael S. Stevens, PhD, MBA
 – Assistant Professor of Supply Chain Management
Major-Payne School of Business at Immaculata University
View Presentation

SESSION 5: Federated Future of Freight: Scalable Supply Chain Visibility
Kaitlyn Bedwell
 – Program Manager
Mac McCall – Program Area Lead
Dock to Door Coalition
View Presentation

SESSION 6: The Next 5 Years — What Retailers Need from Their Logistics Partners
Abir Thakurta 
– VP of Global Supply Chain
Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc.
View Presentation

SESSION 7: Solution Partners Scholarship Program Update
Gene Clark
 – VP of Membership & Member Relations
American Home Furnishings Alliance

SESSION 8: Managing Complex Supply Chain (Shippers Panel)
Kristen Green
 – Director of Membership Recruitment, Virginia Maritme Association
Anna McGhee – Supply Chain Manager, Vanguard Furniture Company, Inc.
Scott Prillaman – Senior VP of Logistics and Warehouse Operations, Hooker Furnishings
Craig Starnes – VP of Logistics, Four Hands Furniture

SESSION 9: Managing Your Transportation Spend
Zach Knobel
 – Senior VP of Enterprise Sales
Joe Piazza – Director of Solutions Engineering
Emerge
View Presentation

SESSION 10: The Future of Logistics
Eric Johnson
 – Director at S&P Global and Senior Technology Editor at JOC.com of S&P Global

SESSION 11: Navigating Freight Challenges (Specialized Furniture Carriers Panel)
Tyler Bemis
 – Director of Strategic Accounts, The Port of Virginia
Chad Clark – Senior VP/General Manager, SunBelt Furniture Xpress, Inc.
Shawn Khan – CEO/President, Metropolitan Warehouse & Delivery
Tyler Meijaard – Account Manager, De Jong Enterprises, Inc.
Brielle Russo– CIO, Consolidated Freight Carriers
Joe Russo – Owner, Consolidated Freight Carriers

SESSION 12: Under Siege
Eric Clarke
 – CEO
Aurora Software, Inc.
View Presentation

SESSION 13: Furniture in a High Fuel Cost, High Tariff Economy
Mark Vitner
 – Chief Economist
Piedmont Crescent Capital
View Presentation


WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17

SESSION 14: Tour of The Port of Virginia
Tyler Bemis
 – Director of Strategic Accounts
The Port of Virginia

SESSION 15: The State of The Port of Virginia
Tom Capozzi – Chief Sales Officer
The Port of Virginia
View Presentation

SESSION 16: Carrier Accreditation Program
Bill Lecos
 – Executive Director
National Home Delivery Association

SESSION 17: Railroads to Retail — The Logistics Story Behind Furniture's Success (Industry Keynote)
Robert Spilman
 – Chairman/CEO
Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.
View Presentation

SESSION 18: Your Tariff Refund — Show Me The Money
Eric Stenson
 – CEO
RSK Services
View Presentation

SESSION 19: Navigating Today's Challenges and Preparing for the Future of Furniture Logistics (Retail Panel)
Meghan Finn
 – Director of Freight Logistics, Jordan's Furniture
Bill Lecos – Executive Director, National Home Delivery Association
Abir Thakurta – VP of Global Supply Chain, Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc.

SESSION 20: The Price of Price — What Furniture Importers Don't Know They're Buying
Cliff Carroll
 – Co-Founder
Trilink, Inc.
View Presentation

SESSION 21: Everybody Deserves a Great Boss
Tim Prillaman
 – Senior Managing Director
Montgomery Hassell
View Presentation

SESSION 22: AI in Action — Transforming Logistics and Supply Chain Workflows
Matt Ritter
 – Associate Professor of Strategic Communication
High Point University
View Presentation