DMA So Cal upcoming events

AI for Supply Chain and Manufacturing Businesses: The ROI Workshop (July 31, 2026)

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Dive into practical AI tips that’ll boost your supply chain and manufacturing game while keeping an eye on the dollars.

How to Move Beyond Conceptualization and Drive Measurable Returns

One morning. Real examples. Practical tools. Leave knowing exactly which Al initiatives will increase revenue, reduce cost,and position your business ahead of the competition.

Session One: Strategy, Marketing, and Sales

Led by Hema Dey

Walk away with:

Where your next client is before your competitor finds them
An Al-powered pipeline and sales recovery blueprint
EBITDA-connected marketing metrics your CFO will respect

Session Two: Operations, Supply Chain, and Back Office

Led by Bryant Baek

Walk away with:

Real examples of Al solutions driving the strongest operational returns
A prioritized Al road map ranked by ROI and time to value
Execution best practices that protect your investment long term

Register Here!

Cruise Tour of the Port of Los Angeles (August 19, 2026)

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Join us for a guided “cruise tour” of the harbor. You’ll see the cargo, cruise terminals, and the waterfront development. Participants will get a birds-eye view of the vessels in the Port and activity on the various Cargo Terminals including the Cruise Ship Terminal.

We recommend arriving by 5:30 PM to allow time for parking. Please note that construction on the Vincent Thomas Bridge may cause heavier traffic than usual — plan your route accordingly.

Parking

A paid parking lot ($10 per vehicle) is located adjacent to the Maritime Museum. They don't always charge, but please be prepared just in case. POLA security will need to validate parking for vehicles in this lot.

If the lot is full, alternative parking is available at:

Harbor Blvd street parking
Green Onion Restaurant (~1 block north)
Port of LA building — 425 Palos Verdes Street
Liberty Plaza, directly in front of the Port of LA office

The boat offers both indoor and outdoor seating, but it can get chilly on the water depending on the weather. Please dress in layers. Closed-toe shoes are recommended.

4th Annual Supply Chain Summit & Expo (September 18, 2026)

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 14:45:00 GMT

The DMA is bringing together the California Supply Chain & Logistics Community for a day of education with subject matter experts! Join us for an immersive experience in all things supply chain and register for the Summit today!

Member Pricing:
$165 each
$500 Table Top (one 6' table)
$1,000 10x10 Booth
$1,400 10x20 Booth

Non-Member Pricing:
$225 each
$750 Table Top (one 6' table)
$1,200 10x10 Booth
$1,650 10x20 Booth

Download Sponsorship Packet

Speakers:

Keynote Speaker: Steve Muliak

Steve Muliak leads Argon & Co's North America Digital Practice, bringing operational experience in IT and engineering alongside more than two decades of logistics consulting. Before joining Argon & Co, he served as CIO of RaceTrac Petroleum, and his earlier career includes time at Accenture and Coopers & Lybrand/Systecon. As a partner at Argon & Co, he has led the firm's Microsoft D365 projects since 2017 and was instrumental in setting up the firm's offshore office in Mumbai.

Steve has deep expertise in warehouse software, labor standards, third-party logistics, and retail/B2C warehousing, and is frequently called upon to help turn around troubled warehouse operations. His project work spans a wide range of emerging technologies and operational challenges. He has conducted studies on replacing manual picking operations with robotics, achieving 20% labor savings, and on using robots for tote-picking in cold-room operations supporting consumer meal-plan shipments. He led a drone-based cycle counting pilot for an ecommerce apparel company and ran a proof of concept applying AI to develop automatic labor standards for constructing store displays at a power tools company. In the wholesale sector, he led the development and installation of labor standards that reduced warehouse labor by more than 20% for a consumer goods distributor. Steve has also led three turnarounds of highly automated, multi-channel retail warehouses across different clients, working with technologies such as unit sortation, AutoStore, multi-shuttle systems, and put-to-light systems, delivering capacity increases worth tens of millions of dollars.

In addition to his consulting work, Steve serves as part-time faculty at Georgia Tech, teaching work measurement to undergraduate students on campus.

Speaker: Cathy Lozano

President & Founder of CL Employment Group and a passionate advocate for building workplaces where employees feel valued, supported, and motivated to stay. With years of experience partnering with companies across manufacturing, supply chain, and professional services, Cathy brings a practical, people-first perspective to conversations around employee retention, engagement, and workplace culture.

Known for her relatable style and real-world insight, Cathy shares actionable strategies that help leaders strengthen teams, improve employee experience, and create lasting workplace impact.

Retaining the Backbone of Commerce: Employee Retention & Engagement in the Supply Chain Industry

The supply chain industry is facing a critical workforce challenge: retaining talent in an increasingly competitive labor market. In this presentation, Cathy Lozano, CEO of CL Employment Group, explores the data behind today's retention crisis and the factors driving employee turnover across manufacturing, logistics, and distribution operations. Attendees will gain insight into why employees leave, the significant impact frontline managers have on engagement, and how organizations can create workplaces where employees see a future—not just a job.

The session highlights proven strategies used by high-performing organizations to improve retention, including structured onboarding, leadership development, career path visibility, employee recognition, and workplace culture initiatives. Participants also learn practical, low-cost actions they can implement immediately to strengthen engagement, reduce turnover, and build a sustainable workforce pipeline. Additionally, students and emerging professionals receive guidance on developing the skills, relationships, and career strategies needed to succeed in the rapidly growing supply chain industry.

Attendees will leave with actionable tools, and a clear understanding that retention is not a one-time initiative—it's a business strategy that drives operational performance, workforce stability, and long-term growth.

Speaker: Scott Cornell

Scott Cornell, CRO, Transportation, Crime & Theft Specialist, SPG Cargo & Logistics, has been in the Transportation Insurance Industry for 25yrs recently being named to the “Top 100 Insurance Executives” list for 2025.

Prior to Logistiq Scott lead the Transportation Division at Travelers Insurance where he worked 25 years building an innovative and industry recognized brand of quality and customer service that brought new standards to the industry.

Scott led the effort in creating the first ever fully dedicated cargo theft unit housed within an insurance carrier in [2005], known as the Special Investigations Group (SIG). He is also the lead and co-inventor of multiple patented processes for methods and systems that provide customized risk mitigation and recovery solutions to insurance customers.

He has more than 30 years’ experience conducting investigations specializing in cargo theft and transportation, internal theft, embezzlement, and corporate investigations.

Scott regularly partners with law enforcement and cargo task forces nationwide and has been invited to the White House Economic Counsel to advise on the issues of Cargo theft, supply chain security and its impact on the economy. He has testified for the Congressional Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Supporting Cargo Theft Legislative Efforts and has worked directly with the DOT and FMCSA in their efforts to minimize Criminal Strategic Theft Efforts across the supply chain.

Currently Scott serves as the Chairman of the Transported Asset Protection Association, Americas chapter, (TAPA) a nonprofit organization that is the largest global organization dedicated to supply chain security standards and education. He currently also serves on the TIA Cargo Fraud Task Force.

He is a recognized leading expert in cargo theft and prevention, having been an instructor and speaker at numerous industry engagements, including the ATA, TCA, TIA, IANA, International Association of Special Investigation Units (IASIU), Miami Dade PD Cargo, Midwest Cargo Summit, Texas Cargo Summit, Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA), Transportation Legal Council (TLC), and the National Cargo Theft Law Enforcement Summit.

Scott's expertise has been featured in prominent media outlets such as CNBC, CBS MoneyWatch, Vice TV, NBC News Now, Yahoo Finance, the New York Post and the Wall Street Journal

Get to Know the DMA & Member Appreciation Event! (October 01, 2026)

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT

You’re invited! Join our Inland Empire Logistics and Supply Chain community for an exclusive event to learn more about the Distribution Management Association. Discover how we support business growth across the Inland Empire, connect with industry peers, and explore new opportunities for your company. Don’t miss out on this chance to see how DMA can help your business thrive!

24th Annual Charity Golf Tournament & Fundraiser (NEW DATE) (October 29, 2026)

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Join us for a day of golf and fun at Eagle Glen Golf Club! From on-course games and tastings to raffles and networking, this fun day of golf encompasses our supply chain community from all over Southern California!

Schedule:
Registration & Breakfast: 7:30am
Shotgun Start: 9:30am
Awards & Banquet: 3:00pm-ish

Format:
4-person scramble (best ball). All skill levels welcome!

If you don't want to golf, you can also attend the dinner portion only for $50 per person.

Consider sponsoring our event!

Download Sponsor and Information Packet