The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) has booked four distinguished keynote speakers its 2006 convention, which will take place April 25-27, 2026, at the Scottsdale Grand Hyatt Resort in Arizona. This marks the first time since 2019 that the annual gathering is being hosted in the spring.
The keynoters, who will address customer perspectives, business success, the economy and trade and impactful leadership, are:
• Greg Creed, former chief executive officer and board director of Yum! Brands, and former chief executive of Taco Bell. He will explain how customer-centric thinking transforms business performance and detail how innovative approaches fuel sustainable growth across the cold chain.
• Doug Ducey, who built one of America’s most recognized consumer brands as chief executive officer of Cold Stone Creamery before being elected governor of Arizona in 2014 and reelected in 2018. He will share insights on growing businesses internationally and explain how free trade drives economic growth and global competitiveness.
• Drew Matus, chief market strategist for MetLife Investment Management (MIM) and former deputy chief US economist at UBS Securities LLC, will outline the forces expected to further drive economic growth of the United States and examine how global trade realignment is reshaping the business operating environment.
• Lindsay Shookus, a seven-time Emmy-winning producer best known for her two-decade tenure shaping the Saturday Night Live television show, will discuss how leaders navigate challenging circumstances and solve problems creatively through teamwork, resilience, accountability and adaptability.
Educational sessions will explore key industry topics, including cold chain facility upgrade strategies, cyber and physical asset security, energy strategies, the future of temperature-controlled facility expansion, navigating changes in refrigerated transportation, and multimodal logistics in America. New this year, GCCA will introduce deep dive roundtable sessions that will examine cybersecurity and risk management, sustainability, and emerging industry issues in greater depth.
Additional features of the convention include:
•An innovation showcase and stage, where attendees can evaluate the latest tools and technologies.
• A cold chain café, where participants will gather in small groups to discuss critical business challenges.
• Networking and social events, including meals, receptions, group activities, sporting events, and volunteer opportunities in the local community.
GCCA President and CEO Sara Stickler stated: “The cold chain is critical infrastructure. For 135 years, the GCCA Convention has brought together global leaders to share knowledge, address common challenges, experience innovative technologies, and explore new opportunities in temperature-controlled storage and transportation. At this year’s convention, experts will reinforce that message and provide strategies to modernize facilities, maximize energy efficiency and navigate logistics challenges.”
More details about the 2026 GCCA Convention as well as registration information is available at www.gcca.org/events/gcca-convention
