Why the name Campfire Talk?
A great way to describe the atmosphere of this annual event is by comparing it to a campfire. Think of the warmth and invitation of a campfire, a place where stories of adventure are shared freely and connections are formed effortlessly. That’s the goal and essence of Campfire Talk. By fostering open discussions in a relaxed, low-pressure environment, we bring together supply chain trailblazers to exchange ideas, spark inspiration, and cultivate a strong sense of community for everyone who participates.
October 2026 Highlights
This year's Campfire Talk was graciously hosted by Gap at their Gallatin DC, just outside Nashville. After an evening together on the General Jackson showboat river cruise, we kicked off our full day together by first hearing from Gap about their automation journey and their 15+ year relationship with TGW. Then we walked their multi-building campus to see and experience firsthand how they are using various warehouse automation systems to efficiently and quickly deliver omni channel orders at a low cost per pick. It was fun to see everyone break out their phones during different parts of the tour and hear the questions asked about their operations. Many thanks to the Gap team for the peek behind the curtains.
After the site tour and lunch, we had to ramp the energy back up with a highly competitive game of mini pallet building. Tables were challenged to build the tallest pallet out of mini boxes and a pallet coaster—and then see who could keep their tall tower while moving and plastic wrapping it.
Then we kicked off our afternoon sessions with Neil Saunders of GlobalData talking about global market and economic dynamics for retailers. Neil had some amazing insights into consumer behavior, personal budgets, and the role of the supply chain in customer experience and loyalty.
Jaime Juan, former supply chain leader for Inditex and now with Value Driven Mindset, next talked about building flexibility into operations, learning from teams on the ground floor, and the importance of change management to create results at scale.
Our own Jeff Rhodes and Ryan Van Otterloo then wrapped up the afternoon talking about the evolution of warehouse maintenance: how it is moving from a cost center to a strategic investment, how the roles and skills of maintenance teams has changed, and what the best maintenance teams are doing to maximize the lifetime value of their automation systems.
After a busy day of learning and networking, we headed to downtown Nashville for an exclusive dinner experience that included great food and drinks, live entertainment, and a cowboy hat bar. Ending the day with everyone wearing their custom hats was the perfect way to close out this Campfire Talk.
Want to join us around the next Campfire?
To get a feel of the day for yourself, watch our recap video below. And if you’d like to be considered as a guest for this exclusive invite-only event, please contact us. We host our Campfire Talk annually in the fall, typically in September or October, so make sure to clear your calendar for the next one!
TGW Logistics is a foundation-owned enterprise headquartered in Austria and a global leader in warehouse automation and warehouse logistics. As a trusted systems integrator with more than 50 years of experience, we provide end-to-end services: designing, implementing, and maintaining fulfillment centers powered by mechatronics, robotics, and advanced software solutions.
With over 5,000 employees across Europe, Asia, and North America, we combine expertise, innovation, and a customer-centric dedication to help keep your business growing. With TGW Logistics, it's possible to transform your warehouse logistics into a competitive advantage.
