The Mercury Group
The premier shipper collective
August 5 - 7, 2024 | Nashville, TN
2024 Conference Theme: Performing in the Next Era of Transportation
We are experiencing a reimagined transportation industry characterized by supply chain transformation, artificial intelligence, and a paradigm shift toward decarbonization. In this era of transportation, actionable data, smart technology, and true partnerships create strategic harmony for sustained growth and innovation.
A look inside The Mercury Group
Breakthrough brings solutions, research, and industry expertise to The Mercury Group, an annual gathering of Breakthrough shipper clients that drives deep conversations, peer-based learning, and collaboration.
An exclusive client event
The Mercury Group is an exclusive event for Breakthrough clients.
2024 Agenda
5:00 - 9:00 PM
Networking Event
Details coming soon
All attendees
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Breakfast
Details coming soon
All attendees
9:00 - 9:45 AM
Welcome & Breakthrough Keynote
Leveraging the latest industry data, this keynote address will examine the challenges and opportunities posed by rapid technological advancements and shifts in operational paradigms. John will share key strategies for upholding core business principles amidst the intricacies of today's transportation sector, positioning you to stay ahead in a competitive and rapidly evolving market.
John Teggart, Breakthrough
9:45 - 10:00 AM
Break
15-minute break
All attendees
10:00 - 10:40 AM
Breakthrough Advisor Webinar LIVE
Explore the factors shaping the movement of goods in 2024 and 2025 during the highly interactive, inaugural “Breakthrough Advisor Webinar LIVE”. The Applied Knowledge team will share their insights on market fundamentals and trends that drive market dynamics, while providing their latest outlook on the freight, energy & sustainability markets.
Matt Muenster, Matt Snider, Josh Delfosse & Peyton Jack, Breakthrough
10:40 - 11:10 AM
Shipper Panel: Proven Strategies for Implementing Sustainable Freight and Energy Practices in Your Network
Transportation leaders need a pragmatic roadmap for designing their logistics network with sustainable freight and energy practices. Panelists will discuss near-term and long-term strategies intentionally designed to withstand the ebbs and flows of freight rate cycles and the pressing challenge of the transportation energy transition.
Jenny Vander Zanden, Breakthrough & Clients
11:10 - 11:25 AM
Break
15-minute break
All attendees
11:25 - 11:55 AM
Breakout 1: Roundtable: Implementing Sustainable Freight and Energy Practices in Your Network
This networking roundtable is focused upon taking the dialogue from the earlier shipper panel and putting it to action. Attendees will have the opportunity to share their perspectives and discuss steps they have taken to create enduring network strategies that are capable of performing in the transportation supply chain industry of today and tomorrow. Topics for discussion will include optimizing transportation for cost, service, and sustainability, leveraging experiments to find solutions, and what to do when the stage demands your best improvisational skills.
Heather Mueller, Breakthrough
11:25 - 11:55 AM
Breakout 2: Industry Share: Implementing Alternative Energy
Description coming soon
Heather Ewing, Breakthrough
11:55 AM - 1:00 PM
Lunch
Lunch break
All attendees
1:00 - 1:30 PM
A Look Ahead at Artificial Intelligence's Impact on the Supply Chain
Description coming soon
John Kahan, Microsoft (Retired)
1:30 - 2:00 PM
Leveraging the Full Power of the Breakthrough Ecosystem
Leveraging Breakthrough’s extensive industry expertise and data ecosystem, this session offers updated transportation benchmarking to enhance your supply chain operations. We will provide valuable insights from case studies and compelling data and statistics to empower attendees with actionable knowledge to optimize their transportation network.
Jared Spude & Matt Snider, Breakthrough
2:00 - 2:15 PM
Break
15-minute break
All attendees
2:15 - 2:45 PM
Breakout 1: Best Practices to Maximize Fuel Recovery Value
Ideal for prospective and new clients, this informative session discusses the fundamental metrics crucial for supply chain professionals to make informed decisions. We will delve into the metrics that form the backbone of fuel efficiency, rate competitiveness, and industry performance. Our focus will be on class 8 trucks’ MPG, base-rate benchmarking, and more to provide a clear view on strategic market positioning.
Emma Van Rossum, Breakthrough & Orgain
2:15 - 2:45 PM
Breakout 2: Transportation Benchmarking to Optimize Your Supply Chain
In today’s competitive landscape, improving supply chain efficiency is not just a goal but a necessity. Transportation benchmarking plays a crucial role in reducing cost and emissions and gaining competitive advantages for your organization. By leveraging transportation benchmarking, supply chain leaders can align freight networks with sustainability goals.
Peyton Jack & Heather Ewing, Breakthrough
2:50 - 3:20 PM
Breakout 1: Roundtable: Creating a Data-Driven Strategy for the Next Era of Transportation
There is more data available today and more efficient ways to create insights from it. How are shippers embracing this immense data set while taking on the latest freight market disruption, a polyfuel future, and the demands of corporate sustainability? This engaging session will provide an opportunity for peers to discuss the latest data-driven insights that are setting new industry benchmarks and enhancing supply chain strategy.
Dave Tuttle & Allie Barthen, Breakthrough
2:50 - 3:20 PM
Breakout 2: Shipper Panel: Real-World Applications and Outcomes of Intermodal Conversion
In this engaging shipper panel, industry experts will discuss the economic and environmental advantages of adopting intermodal freight strategies while providing pragmatic insights on managing service issues and optimizing supply chain resilience.
Katie Hansen, Breakthrough & Clients
3:20 - 3:35 PM
Break
15-minute break
All attendees
3:35 - 4:35 PM
Guest Keynote: Exponential Growth Through the Third Door
Alex Banayan is the youngest bestselling business author in American history. A renowned expert on perseverance and exponential growth, Banayan has presented the Third Door™ framework to business conferences and corporate leadership teams around the world, including Apple, Google, Nike, IBM, Snapchat, Salesforce, Delta Airlines, Mastercard, and Disney. The Third Door chronicles Banayan’s seven-year quest to uncover the definitive mindset of success. The book is a #1 international bestseller, has been translated into more than a dozen languages, and has been acclaimed by the New York Post as “a joy to read.”
Banayan’s keynotes have had far-reaching effects, acting as the catalyst for a new way of thinking. The Third Door™ framework has helped individuals discover unconventional routes to achieve their biggest dreams and has aided Fortune 500 companies to take new approaches to sales, marketing, and exponential growth. Since the publication of The Third Door, Banayan has brought his message of possibility to millions of people in more than one hundred countries. At the core of Banayan’s mission is his belief that, “When you change what someone believes is possible, you change what becomes possible.”
Alex Banayan, #1 International Bestselling Author of The Third Door
5:30 - 10:00 PM
Networking Event
Join us at the Country Music Hall of Fame for an evening of networking and music!
All attendees
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Breakfast
Details coming soon
All attendees
9:00 - 9:10 AM
Day 3 Welcome
Description coming soon
Erin Blaha, Breakthrough
9:10 - 9:40 AM
Unpacking a Client's Strategy for Transformational Change
Description coming soon
John Teggart, Breakthrough & Client
9:40 - 10:10 AM
Industry Panel: What's Next for Freight
Description coming soon
John McCaw & Danielle Grant, Breakthrough & Industry Guest Speakers
10:10 - 10:25 AM
Break
15-minute break
All attendees
10:25 - 10:55 AM
Breakout 1: Unveiling Best Practices for LTL Fuel Recovery
This informational session will shed light on the latest strategies and techniques being employed in the LTL sector. You will gain a firsthand understanding of how these best practices can bring greater transparency to your transportation fuel spend and drive efficiencies in your network. This is a must attend session if you are looking to leverage data-driven insights and innovative approaches to revolutionize your LTL fuel reimbursement strategy.
Nick Kornaus, Breakthrough
10:25 - 10:55 AM
Breakout 2: Experience the Outcome of Fuel Hedging in Your Network: A Transformational Fuel Simulation
Participate in a market simulation focusing on managing fuel price risk in a volatile market. This simulation will emphasize the importance of designing and implementing an energy risk management plan, as well as the benefits to your organization’s budget and bottom line. Don’t miss this session discussing a trending topic in the logistics sector.
Nic Kumbalek & Josh Delfosse, Breakthrough
11:00 - 11:25 AM
Breakout 1: Industry Panel: What You Need to Know for Upcoming Supply Chain Policy
In this rapidly evolving transportation industry, staying ahead of policy and regulatory changes and understanding their implications is paramount. This session will bring together policy practitioners with a diverse set of experiences to share their insights on upcoming policies and regulations.
Jenny Vander Zanden, Breakthrough & Industry Guest Speakers
11:00 - 11:25 AM
Breakout 2: Global Supply Chain Trends: Taking Energy Management Beyond Our Borders
Thriving in the international current of market demands and geopolitical complexities requires visibility and agility. This session will provide valuable insights on the latest transformative trends that are reshaping global supply chains. Attendees will walk away with actionable knowledge to support international transportation decision-making and understand how Breakthrough's approach to energy management is creating opportunities to manage their transportation abroad.
Matt Muenster & Ankit Patel, Breakthrough
11:25 - 11:35 AM
Break
10-minute break
All attendees
11:35 - 12:00 PM
Shipper Share: The Crucial Role of Pilots in the Shipping Industry
Description coming soon
Danielle Grant, Breakthrough & Clients
12:00 - 12:15 PM
Conference Closing
John Teggart will conclude The Mercury Group by sharing closing thoughts. He will delve into Breakthrough’s collaboration with Truckers Against Trafficking and emphasize the significance of fostering sustainable partnerships, cultivating an inquisitive mindset, and working closely with your team.
John Teggart, Breakthrough
12:15 - 1:00 PM
Lunch
Details coming soon
All attendees
Keynote Speaker
Alex Banayan
Alex Banayan is the youngest bestselling business author in American history. The Third Door chronicles Banayan’s seven-year quest to uncover the definitive mindset of exponential growth and success. Named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list and Business Insider’s “Most Powerful People Under 30,” Banayan is his generation’s leading expert in high-performance and personal development, having been featured in Fortune, CNBC, Businessweek, The Washington Post, MSNBC, Fox News, and NBC News.
See what attendees are saying
Read what past attendees have to say about their experience at The Mercury Group.
2024 Venue
We’re excited to host The Mercury Group at the W Nashville, in the heart of The Gulch neighborhood. Once registered, watch your inbox for more information on room reservations.
Questions?
Please contact The Mercury Group team with any questions about this year’s event.