Raising the bar: Körber unveils plans to bring its iconic Elevate Conference to APAC

Calling all supply chain, distribution, logistics, e-commerce and retail professionals – Elevate APAC is here. Offering a unique opportunity to connect, network and share supply chain technology transformation journeys with some of the region’s leading individuals and organisations, the inaugural Körber Elevate APAC 2021 is the must-attend supply chain event of the year.

Körber Supply Chain has re-imagined its iconic Elevate conference as a hybrid in-person and virtual event in the Asia Pacific region for August – September this year.

As the team charges ahead with planning this must-attend supply chain, technology and retail event – FTD finds out more about the who, what, when, where and why of the highly anticipated industry networking and awards conference of 2021.

Why host a regional Elevate?

Last September, Cohesio Group – one of the region’s most prominent supply chain and technology solutions providers – merged with eleven of the world’s top supply chain technology providers from around the world to become Körber.

Highjump, a US-based leading provider of software solutions for the warehouse, who was also part of this rebrand, historically held its Elevate conference once a year. An action-packed unmissable event that offered supply chain professionals unparalleled educational training, networking opportunities, panel discussions and brainstorming sessions, this year will see Elevate re-emerge as a multi-region event.

Körber has celebrated several major project wins in the Asia Pacific region over the last 12 months and Elevate offers an opportunity for customers and partners to come together to celebrate this success and explore more opportunities to work together and drive the industry forward.

Some highlights for Körber in Australia include deploying more than 100 autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for Catch.com.au, delivering an award-winning solution to provide Chemist Warehouse with same-day delivery, as well as an Australian-first in the deployment of Android Voice picking across Kmart’s fulfilment operations.

“We have achieved so much as one Körber – a regional Elevate will celebrate the learnings from our achievements and bring supply chain professionals together to learn, discuss and evaluate critical innovation pathways for the future. It will deliver as much a learning platform for professionals as it will be a celebration of people and technology that support the backbone of the supply chain,” Nishan Wijemanne, managing director APAC and global head for AMR at Körber Supply Chain says.

What is Elevate APAC?

Korber says that Elevate will inspire ambition, encourage innovation and develop knowledge in the ever-changing and challenging sector of supply chain.

Offering unrivalled networking opportunities, Körber Elevate APAC will see some of the industry’s leading experts and organisations, as well as Körber’s leadership team, share their transformation journeys and best practice on how to conquer supply chain complexity.

Körber Elevate APAC will serve as an agent of change and transformation. Reimagined in a virtual format, this year’s Elevate is set to feature maximum engagement and participation and will emerge as the must-attend event of the year in the APAC region.

The inaugural event will have a special focus on post pandemic supply chain excellence, flexible and scalable automation technology, digitising supply chains – and trends that are rapidly penetrating supply chain operations as well as a special focus on sustainability, career pathways and diversity in supply chain industry.

“Körber, famously touted as the ‘home for entrepreneurs’,” will be true to its name with Innovation Hackathons as well as entrepreneurship and interpreneurship think-tanks that will be enjoyed by participants and will form a generous portion of Körber Elevate APAC’s agenda.

Coupled with leadership series and executive round tables, Elevate APAC will aim to define the success factors for today’s supply chain leaders, says the company.

Virtual DC tours will also be a key focus and attendees will be able to enjoy an immersive tour of some of Australia’s most notable distribution centres (DCs). These DCs have recently taken the leap of innovation and transformation and this rare opportunity will allow a unique and first-hand experience of the supply chain operations in high-performing DCs.

Elevate APAC will feature a well-curated line up of esteemed speakers. The full line-up is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

When and where will Elevate APAC take place?

Elevate APAC will take place August 31 to September 3. All sessions will be offered virtually and there will also be a number of physical events including an awards and network event in Melbourne.

It will end with the Körber gala awards and networking event in Melbourne, celebrating the winners of outstanding achievements within Körber’s customer and partner ecosystem as well as individual achievements by professionals and achievements by leading women in supply chain and tech.

Who should attend Elevate APAC?

Ideal for every professional that is passionate about technology, Elevate APAC offers a platform for supply chain, distribution, logistics and transport professionals, through to retail operations and e-commerce as well as emerging graduates, to learn, develop and network.

Special key notes and virtual networking parties will include stories from some of the thought leaders and entrepreneurs of our decade, providing a chance to reflect on a truly transformative period for supply chain.

Körber Elevate APAC will end with a gala awards and networking event in Melbourne celebrating winners of outstanding achievements within Körber’s customer and partner ecosystem as well as individual achievements by professionals and women in supply chain and tech.

Attendees will be able to gain exclusive details about key solution and product updates along with hearing keynotes from Chad Collins, CEO of Körber Supply Chain and Joe Couto, CEO of Africa, Asia Pacific & Latin America as well as a keynote and panel sessions by Wijemanne.

“We have re-imagined our iconic Elevate conference to suit the new world we live in. As a virtual event we can broaden the experience and make the conference available to more members of your team than ever before. After the success of Elevate North America, Elevate APAC is set to feature the latest developments in one of our fastest growing regions,” Couto says.

“As a virtual event you can immerse yourself in live presentations and learn from customers who share the same challenges and opportunities as you. The last 12 months has been challenging for everyone. The pandemic tested business models and supply chains throughout the world and the impact of COVID-19 on our supply chains is now permanent. Elevate APAC will provide you with the tools you need to re-imagine your supply chain today and well into the future,” says Collins.