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Suggested Speaking Topics
These are partial suggestions only. We welcome any topic that advances planning, forecasting, analytics, supply planning, or S&OP/IBP.
Demand Planning & Forecasting
- Improving forecast accuracy and reducing bias
- Scenario planning & probabilistic forecasting
- Forecast Value Add (FVA) and measuring planner contributions
- External signals and leading indicators
- Using social media, sentiment, search, and digital behavior as demand signals
- Leveraging unstructured data (reviews, comments, clickstream, images, macro news)
- Feature engineering and data enrichment for ML forecasting
- Demand segmentation & portfolio complexity management
- New product forecasting methodologies & pitfalls
- Forecasting with limited or unreliable data
- Data cleansing (i.e. adjusting for COVID anomalies)
- Storytelling and communicating forecast insights
S&OP / Integrated Business Planning (IBP)
- Designing or transforming an S&OP/IBP process
- Integrating S&OP with S&OE (execution) for real-time alignment
- Reconciling demand, supply, and financial plans
- Executive engagement and decision governance
- One-number planning vs. operational reality
- Scenario modeling and risk management
- S&OP across different maturity levels and industry contexts
- Practical case studies of S&OP/IBP evolution
Supply Planning, Capacity & Inventory Optimization
- Constraint-based planning
- Best practices in safety stock, policy setting & inventory strategy
- Multi-echelon optimization and replenishment methods
- Inventory deployment & balancing across networks
- Integrating demand and supply planning systems
- Planning for shelf life, perishability & special manufacturing constraints
- Improving supply planning maturity through case studies and lessons learned
AI, Generative AI & Advanced Analytics
- Machine learning for forecasting: strengths and limitations
- Demand sensing and real-time forecasting
- Generative AI for planning workflows (forecast commentary, S&OP decks, exception analysis, automations)
- Large Language Models as “planning copilots”
- Digital twins and scenario simulation
- AI for unstructured data extraction and insight generation
- Integrating search, sentiment, mobility, and macroeconomic data into planning
- ML explainability, model performance, and FVA with ML models
- Governance, ethics, data quality & AI risk management
- Human + machine collaboration: the augmented planner
Process, People & Organizational Capability
- Upskilling planning teams for analytics and AI
- Building & scaling a Forecasting or Planning Center of Excellence
- Influencing Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Operations
- Data storytelling, communication & executive presentation skills
- Change management & cultural adoption
- Clarifying roles & responsibilities (RACI) in planning processes
- Developing next-generation planning talent
Technology, Systems & Digital Transformation
- Selecting a planning system & avoiding implementation pitfalls
- Lessons learned from technology rollouts and upgrades
- Integrating external data sources into planning systems
- Working effectively in Excel vs. dedicated planning tools
- Data governance, planning parameters & master data management
Industry-Specific Case Studies
- Consumer goods, retail & e-commerce
- Pharma, biotech & medical device forecasting
- Food & beverage (shelf life, constraints, promotions)
- Manufacturing & make-to-order environments
- Distributors & wholesalers (gathering and validating forecast inputs)
- Public sector & government planning use cases
Benefits of Speaking at an IBF Event
As an IBF speaker, you are our guest at the event—a benefit valued at up to $2,200 (USD), which includes full IBF event access. In addition, your colleagues receive a 20% discount to join you (not applicable for co-hosted events).
Speaking at an IBF event offers:
Most importantly:
You do not need to be an “expert” to speak at IBF. What matters is your story—your challenges, your lessons learned, your successes, your failures, and the insights others can apply. If you’ve lived the journey, you can meaningfully contribute to the IBF community.
What We Look For
Your proposal is strongest when it clearly outlines:
Solution providers are welcome when sharing practitioner-led case studies (no product demos)
Upcoming Events With Speaking Opportunities
There are a variety of events to speak at throughout the year—including conferences and forums—held across multiple global locations. Click here to view our events schedule and choose the date and location that works best for you.
Selection & Next Steps
Submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis. If your proposal is a good fit, an IBF team member will contact you to discuss:
First-time speakers are welcome. IBF provides preparation support, coaching, and guidance.
Submit Your Speaking Proposal
Share your story, your journey, and your lessons learned—and help move the profession forward.
Submit your overview and biography here
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