GS1 Connect: Prepare for the Premier Supply Chain Event of the Year
Save the date for GS1 Connect 2026 at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, June 9-11.
Thank You to Our 2025 Trading Partner Roundtable Hosts
Cited as a top reason to attend, Trading Partner Roundtable sessions offered attendees an opportunity to meet face-to-face in an informal roundtable setting to address their challenges with sharing data—no endless emails or phone tag required!
Email GS1ConnectRoundtables@gs1us.org to be notified when applications for 2026 are open.
AHRMM
Key business topics: AHRMM Learning UDI Community (LUC) discussed the work that the LUC is doing to bring supply chain leaders together to advance the use of Unique Device Identification (UDI) in healthcare.
Company participants: Vicky Lyle, VP of Industry Associations at Owens & Minor and LUC Steering Committee; Carl Gomberg, Lead Solution Analyst at Premier, Inc. and LUC Chair
AIM Global
Key business topics: Traceability technologies; supply chain solutions; guidelines for scanning a barcode; the role AIM Global plays in supply chain traceability
Company participant: Mary Lou Bosco, CEO
CKE Restaurants, Inc.
Key business topics: Traceability technologies; implementation; data systems and capabilities; Electronic Product Code Information Services (EPCIS)
Company participants: Ann Kistler, Sr. Traceability Analyst; Carlyn Hopkins, Quality Assurance Manager
Dillard’s
Key business topics: Dillard's initiatives—supply chain improvements; Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID); 2D barcodes
Company participants: Anita Spence, Director, Vendor Relations; Chuck Lasley, Sr. Director of Technology
Dot Foods
Key business topics: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act Traceability Rule (FSMA Rule 204); data quality, Item Manager (Dot's new item setup tool!), Global Data Synchronization Network™ (GDSN®) synchronization and completeness; scorecards
Company participants: Bailey Keech, Sr. Master Data Analyst; Scott Allen, Data Accuracy Analyst; Matt Wand, Master Data Team Leader
Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products
Key business topics: GS1 Standards application; Global Data Synchronization Network™ (GDSN®); Electronic Data Interchange (EDI); marketing content (images and copy); GS1 Sunrise 2027—2D barcode test/learn opportunities
Company participants: Ardetha Bradley, Digital Operations & Enablement Leader; Kristen Deringer, Sr. Data Governance Manager; Lindsay Savage, Sr. Director, Business Platforms & Data Governance
Gordon Food Service
Key business topics: How to improve publications; Global Data Synchronization Network™ (GDSN®) scorecards; material data questions; U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act Traceability Rule (FSMA Rule 204)
Company participant: Chad Metz, Sr. Master Data Analyst
Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA)
Key business topics: Implementation of applying GS1 Standards for the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) and traceability; diagrams and XML examples for serialized item-level exception handling
Company participant: Tim Stearns, Sr. Director, Industry Relations
Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA)
Key business topics: VRS Provider Network: VRS implementation and governance
Company participant: Jaidalyn Rand, Director, Industry Relations
Healthcare Transformation Group (HTG)
Key business topics: HTG and unique device identification (UDI); HTG and the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA); the AHRMM Learning UDI Committee (LUC); GS1® Work Groups (WGs)
Company participants: Kevin J. Capatch, Director, Supply Chain Information Systems, Geisinger; Cynthia Shumway, Director, Supply Chain Systems and Information, Intermountain Health; Kay Hysell, Director, Supply Chain Management, Mayo Clinic
The Hershey Company
Key business topics: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act Traceability Rule (FSMA Rule 204) and how Hershey will share this data; Global Data Synchronization Network™ (GDSN®) and data quality
Company participants: Tricia Adams, Data Syndication Data Steward; Elise Binder, Sr. Manager, Food Safety & Quality
Johnson & Johnson
Key business topics: Global Location Number (GLN) governance with Johnson & Johnson’s GS1 Asset Management Platform; overview of the GLN and its significance in supply chain management; the cross-segment of the GLN Global Enumeration Generator and the Legal Asset Registry—two pivotal portals within Johnson & Johnson’s GS1 Asset Management Platform; examination of how the platform records essential information, such as GS1® identifiers and annual license renewal dates; the enumeration tool and GLN maintenance strategies; a deeper understanding of GLN usage and asset management best practices
Company participant: Christian Biederman, Manager, DI&T
Johnson & Johnson
Key business topics: Implementing the Global Data Synchronization Network™ (GDSN®) for enhanced product data management; essential steps for adopting GS1 Standards to streamline data processes; electronically accessing data using GS1®, ensuring that you have the right information at your fingertips; the critical role that accurate and synchronized product data plays in moving products efficiently and safely through the supply chain; key benefits of Global Data Synchronization Network™ (GDSN®) adoption, along with best practices for effective implementation that not only enhance business transactions but also contribute to better patient experiences
Company participant: Allison Fregans, Lead Analyst, Global Data Synchronization Operations
Keurig Dr. Pepper (KDP)
Key business topics: Data systems and capabilities; data quality; Global Data Synchronization Network™ (GDSN®) product accuracy and completeness
Company participants: Steve Petrasic, Sr. Mgr.–Supply Chain Master Data | GDSN; Patti Mitchell, Principal Master Data Analyst; Melissa McCoo, Master Data Analyst; Sheryl Meckle, Master Data Analyst
Kroger KTD
Key business topics: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act Rule 204 (FSMA Rule 204); item setup and maintenance; data accountability and quality; Global Data Synchronization Network™ (GDSN®)
Company participants: Vicki Reinhard, Product Director, Strategic & Planning; Lisa Lipa, Product Director, Strategic & Planning
Mars
Key business topics: Data synchronization; data quality and first-time-right data; product audits; driving business value; “Love Your Data”
Company participants: Joyce Ann Rosenfield, Master Data Value Creation Lead & Sr. Item Compliance Manager; Maureen Farese, GS1 Item Compliance Manager
McLane Company, Inc.
Key business topics: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act Traceability Rule (FSMA Rule 204); data quality; Global Data Synchronization Network™ (GDSN®); Electronic Data Interchange (EDI); vendor managed inventory (VMI)
Company participants: Beckey James, EC Manager; Lien Pham, Director, Supply Chain Management
Meijer
Key business topics: 1WorldSync to PIM integration (specifically image processes); GS1® image trends and future enhancements; understanding vendor needs for content management and product setup; U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act Traceability Rule (FSMA Rule 204); Global Data Synchronization Network™ (GDSN®) product accuracy; data quality
Company participants: Dani Mitchell, Digital Content Supervisor; Abby Hop, Merchandising Systems MDM Analyst
Nestlé
Key business topic: Data quality
Company participants: Choon-Ai Kaiser, Manager Product Information; Lynn Nathe, Sr. Analyst Master Data; Diane Harraghy, Analyst Product Information
Partnership for DSCSA Governance (PDG)
Key business topics: Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) implementation; DSCSA readiness; drug tracing systems and processes; data exception notifications
Company participant: Eric Marshall, Executive Director
PepsiCo, Inc.
Key business topics: Extended product content syndication optimization; digital asset syndication and best practices; future initiatives (e.g., U.S. Food and Drug Administration [U.S. FDA] Food Safety Modernization Act Rule 204 [FSMA Rule 204])
Company participant: Gina Tomassi, Director, Digital Product Commercialization
Performance Food Group
Key business topics: Image acquisition; U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act Traceability Rule (FSMA Rule 204); Electronic Data Interchange (EDI); data compliance using the Global Data Synchronization Network™ (GDSN®); improved vendor data insight solutions
Company participants: Brett Streeter, Director, MDM; April Moots, Manager, Product Content
Sam's Club
Key business topics: Item management; SupplierOne item onboarding implementation; attribute requirements; U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act Traceability Rule (FSMA Rule 204) self-declaration; Global Data Synchronization Network™ (GDSN®); data quality
Company participant: Cherise Allison, Director, Item File and Data Governance
Strategic Marketplace Initiative
Key business topic: Collaborating and advocating for standards in the healthcare supply chain
Company participant: Jane Pleasants, President
Walmart Stores, Inc.
Key business topic: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act Traceability Rule (FSMA Rule 204) implementation with Walmart Stores, Inc.
Company participants: Ed Bonin, Director, Food Safety Modernization Act; Kristin Ray, Sr. Director, Quality
Wakefern Food Corporation
Key business topics: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act Traceability Rule (FSMA Rule 204); Global Data Synchronization Network™ (GDSN®); Electronic Data Interchange; data requirements, accuracy and item setup and maintenance
Company participants: Rebecca Nichols, Standards Architect; Jessica Moorhead, Manager, Enterprise Data Management
Wegmans Food Markets
Key business topics: Wegmans’ current initiatives; U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act Traceability Rule (FSMA Rule 204); Electronic Data Interchange (EDI); item setup; Global Data Synchronization Network™ (GDSN®)
Company participants: Brian Becker, Master Data Manager; Terri Mason, EDI Manager; Michael Lookup, FSMA 204 Lead
