--- title: "Flexport Forward 2025: That’s a Wrap!" description: "Forward 2025 brought together top business leaders for three days of global trade insights, expert-led learning, and fun. Here's a recap of all the magic." language: en canonical: https://www.flexport.com/blog/flexport-forward-2025-thats-a-wrap/ lifecycle: live author: - "Flexport Editorial" publishedAt: 2025-10-21 dateModified: 2026-07-31T03:20:26Z readingTimeMinutes: 5 topics: - "Company News" --- # Flexport Forward 2025: That’s a Wrap! Flexport Forward 2025: That’s a Wrap! (1:53) This October, we brought together the world’s top business leaders to shape the future of logistics at our annual customer conference—Flexport Forward. Over three jam-packed days at Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, we explored the future of AI and automation in logistics, must-know customs management and tariff mitigation strategies, the next era of fulfillment, and more. Plus, we unveiled Flexport’s 2025 Fall Technology release, featuring 25+ AI and technology products designed to help businesses thrive in the new trade reality. ![Speaker gestures on stage before a large "flexport FORWARD" screen at a darkened event venue.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/cbc33f8afa8298b564e8f5ef30407261bba4d83b-3000x2001.jpg) Here’s what happened: ## A Firsthand Look at Flexport’s 2025 Fall Technology Release Founder and CEO Ryan Petersen announced Flexport’s Fall Technology Release, featuring 25+ new AI and technology products. Attendees got the opportunity to see Flexport’s new Customs Technology Suite and the new Flexport Platform in action, and how our tools can help businesses cut costs, stay compliant, and move faster. Watch the full live announcement for the [Fall Technology Release](https://www.flexport.com/technology/product-release/fall-2025/) here. ![Audience seated before a dark stage screen reading flexport release FALL 2025.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/4cadaa73ac177c9616e3645ba88947af5a90fd64-3000x2001.jpg) ![Man in a blue sweater speaks on stage in front of a screen reading Manage customs with a checkmark](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/c3c6751a9dbc9dc9e1588c4e2acc1e9a5638f890-2552x1700.png) ## Special Guests and Keynote Speakers We invited a handful of renowned speakers, who provided insight into the inner workings of supply chains, the importance of strong communication, and how to lead through uncertainty. ![Two men in armchairs talking on stage before a large 'flexport FORWARD' backdrop](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/a1b6f073cfd2a3401b6da3e221d2fdfd94d29560-3000x2001.jpg) Pictured: Sanne Manders and Patrick McGee **Patrick McGee**, author of *Apple in China* and longtime *Financial Times* journalist, gave a detailed behind-the-scenes look at global supply chains, and specifically the rise of Apple’s and China’s relationship. ![Man in blue suit on stage before a large screen reading What Happened?, audience silhouetted in foreground](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/12a325a0f6306188f71eaba9a7a9104f01049dc7-2554x1692.png) Pictured: Charles Duhigg **Charles Duhigg**, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author, delivered a keynote on the importance of communication and the information supply chain. ![Bald man in a blue blazer gesturing while speaking on stage at a Flexport event](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/93dd498df52cfc5dcfd64557c059f7dfe1ece657-3000x2001.jpg) Pictured: Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster **Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster**, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general who served as the 25th Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, delivered a keynote on how to lead through uncertainty and the complexities of foreign policy. ![Four panelists seated on stage before a crowd under a large Flexport Forward backdrop](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/fed10dcc84239ba7be81c78bce511cd66da69bbc-3000x2001.jpg) Pictured: Flexport Customer Panel: Growing Through Uncertainty **Flexport’s Head of Marketing & Communications, Courtney Heger, hosted a customer panel with John Lubic, Director of Logistics at Vuori; Mark Riskowitz, Vice President of Operations at Caraway; and Jason Starr, Vice President of Operations at Globe Electric** to discuss how they helped their companies scale amid volatility and uncertainty. ## Expert-Led Deep Dives Throughout Forward, Flexport’s experts hosted a series of comprehensive breakout sessions, all organized into four “learning tracks.” ![Bearded conference attendee raises his hand among seated audience members wearing lanyards in a ballroom.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/2b02dea321f6e4445f58fe65b2064e9924001c4d-3000x2001.jpg) **Session 1: Unleashing AI: Practical Tools for Boosting Everyday Efficiency | Alex Nederlof, Flexport’s Senior Director of Engineering Customs & Financial Services:** A practical look at how AI tools can supercharge productivity, this session covered AI basics, efficiency-boosting tech, and smart solutions to get more done, faster. **Session 2: Visibility, Agility, Resilience: Flexport Control Tower’s Edge | Michelle Feole, Head of Supply Chain Optimization; Chandrakant Kanoria, Flexport’s Head of Control Tower; Katie Ketchell, Flexport’s Director of Control Tower:** This session explored how Flexport’s Control Tower empowers businesses to build resilient supply chains by streamlining booking and order management while driving supply chain optimization for greater visibility, agility, and efficiency. ![Two women presenting with a microphone and clicker to a seated audience at a conference session](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/53be408b43e692dc6f1124fd344c535a22d179d3-3000x2001.jpg) **Session 3: Unpacked: The New Flexport Platform | Raphael Bouchard, Flexport’s Head of Design; Aimee Schroeder, Flexport’s Staff Product Manager:** This session dove deep into the new Flexport Platform, featuring powerful insights from Flexport Intelligence, tools to manage detention and demurrage, and streamlined warehouse receiving. **Session 4: The $100M Operator | Ted Boeglin, Flexport’s VP of Americas; Michael Villa, Flexport’s Director of Operations:** This session offered insight into how Blender runs one of the fastest-growing brands with only two operators, and how rapid advances in AI and automation will set a new bar for performance—$100M of revenue per operator. **Session 5: How to Build a World-Class Fulfillment Engine | Cody Moreland, Flexport’s Senior Director of Network Operations; Darby Meegan, Flexport’s Senior Director of Omnichannel Business Development:** This session explored how Flexport helps businesses build a world-class fulfillment engine by combining operational excellence with cutting-edge omnichannel and fulfillment technology. **Session 6: Fireside Chat with Pact: Optimizing Fulfillment and End-to-End Operations with Flexport | Drew Cook, President & CFO of Pact; Jean Train, Flexport’s Director of Omnichannel Business Development:** Drew Cook provided firsthand insight into Pact’s partnership with Flexport, and how it streamlined their global supply chain while supporting their business growth. ![Man in navy sweater speaks into a microphone to a seated audience at a wood-paneled conference session.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/1c13d0b15226bfa4202a31d43fe72cc1c3fed7e8-3000x2001.jpg) **Session 7: The Customs Playbook: Strategies to Manage Risk, Compliance & Tariffs | Bernie Hart, Flexport’s VP of Customs & Business Development; Angela Lewis, Flexport’s Head of Global Customs:** This deep dive into customs compliance, risk management, and tariff strategies covered ACE analysis, scenario planning, and duty drawback to help businesses minimize costs and stay ahead of regulatory changes. ![Hand holds a black Flexport "Cards Against Humanity Tariff Pack" box at an event](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/461c0b451050432b098f88680beda798ded3ece7-3000x2001.jpg) **Session 8: Navigate Volatility: Flexport AI & Customs Technology | Marcus Eeman, Flexport’s Director of Customs; Courtney Ozgunay, Flexport’s Global Customs Director:** This session covered how to manage trade volatility with AI and customs technology, particularly with tools like the Tariff Simulator, tariff compliance solutions, and document digitization. ## Music, Magic, and Exploration Amid all the learning, Flexport Forward was also packed with fun. Highlights include: ![Person at a wooden DJ booth at dusk beside glowing Flexport FORWARD light boxes on an outdoor patio](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/c9fbbe1247448d3505f424378f31cedcac7b14cf-3000x2001.jpg) Pictured: DJ Allison G ![Four people on stage at an event, two reviewing a large white card under spotlights](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/4abeb478bb7bc7822de14512669c41c7b5aabd0b-3000x2001.jpg) Pictured: Josh Beckerman, The Foodie Magician - **Josh Beckerman**, The Foodie Magician, put on a jaw-dropping magic show while **DJ Allison G** spun some records under the setting California sun. ![Live band in naval-style captain caps performs at sunset, vocalist in a paisley jacket singing into a mic](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/379a76f96e5b458b234acb87abcf539baef9daf2-3000x2001.jpg) Pictured: Yacht Rock - **Yacht Rock** powered our Port to Port dinner party with live music, during which we also hosted our **Customer Awards**, honoring customers who have partnered with Flexport for more than ten years. ![Three smiling people pose together holding an award on a stage at a dusk outdoor event](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/19a41c2f7822dbad89cc856f4613c8105687f595-3000x2001.jpg) Pictured: Customer awards with CEO Ryan Petersen and the Globe Electric team ![Outdoor evening reception with guests at round tables, string lights and tall patio heaters](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/6348022c4374b04df3038f430bb6a4cfb671fd9b-3000x2001.jpg) Pictured: Evening dinner ![Flexport Forward signature drink card for Beer of Lading West Coast IPA beside a branded beer can and glass](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/1f2da64da223dbc969545e7afab9cceec35e5d0c-3000x2001.jpg) Pictured: Flexport’s Beer of Lading - In addition to our evening entertainment, we also got out of the conference room to enjoy beautiful Southern California and connect with our customers on the links. We offered free containers to anyone who got a hole-in-one! ![Large group of golf-event attendees posing on a sunlit putting green under a clear blue sky](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/7e5ef35737f434d585ea7e38fc683aa4f2469a7c-4032x2268.jpg) Pictured: Flexport golf tournament - We also went off-property to see logistics firsthand with a private boat tour of the Port of Long Beach, and a helicopter tour that brought attendees to our San Bernardino Warehouse. At our warehouse, we provided a behind-the-scenes tour of our fulfillment operations and warehouse automation. ![Crowd watching gantry cranes unload a stacked container ship, one person pointing upward](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/106f6b35922939b727e81eebf04449c3c80e072d-1308x774.png) Pictured: Private boat tour of the Port of Long Beach ![Aerial view of a port terminal with vast rows of stacked shipping containers by the water](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/5ee622c8f3a831321a88b6a69662254f724db850-3000x2001.jpg) Pictured: Containers at the Port of Long Beach, as seen from our helicopter ![People in business attire walk toward a parked helicopter on a waterfront helipad under clear sky](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/423c659e330aaeca0eca7d3330cd67d36e4d8580-3000x2001.jpg) Pictured: Helicopter take-off from Long Beach ![Group in orange safety vests walking through a warehouse, a man in Flexport vest leading](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/d34609b667c701a8308589137aab4a3d3bb95ab4-3000x2001.jpg) Pictured: Flexport San Bernardino Warehouse Tour ![Blue and black Flexport-branded autonomous robot navigating between tall warehouse pallet racks.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ynj1yl20/development/f12ffafe4a4f60bdf9df0473bcfe67982a639cb2-3000x2001.jpg) Pictured: Flexport San Bernardino Warehouse robots A big thank you to everyone who attended, and to everyone at Flexport who brought Forward to life! --- *This is a markdown version of [https://www.flexport.com/blog/flexport-forward-2025-thats-a-wrap/](https://www.flexport.com/blog/flexport-forward-2025-thats-a-wrap/) for AI/LLM consumption.*