The Marcus Evans 23rd Edition S&OP and Integrated Business Planning Excellence conference is set to take place in The Hague, Netherlands, from June 8 to 10, 2026. Organizers say the event will bring together industry leaders to transform Sales & Operations Planning into a more dynamic and interconnected function.
What the conference aims to address
The agenda covers supply chain agility and resilience, with an emphasis on competitive advantage. Sessions are designed to push cross-functional collaboration and a customer-centric approach.
Attendees will look at how technology, artificial intelligence, and data can improve forecast accuracy. There is also a focus on aligning financial objectives with demand forecasting performance.
Organizers argue that integrated supply chain planning directly boosts customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. Whether that holds true across different industries remains an open question.
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A skeptical note on industry events
Some supply chain experts question whether conferences like this deliver lasting change, or if they primarily serve as networking opportunities. The gap between hearing best practices and implementing them is often wide.
Still, the event offers a chance to engage with peers and hear case studies from companies that claim real results. The 23rd edition suggests a sustained interest in the topic.
Key sessions and practical details
The program includes best practices and case studies. Specific sessions were not detailed in the announcement, but the focus is on practical applications of S&OP and Integrated Business Planning.
Special discounts are available for those who register early. For more information, contact Stefanos Ioannou, Digital Media and PR Executive, via email or a short registration link. The organizers emphasize that space is limited.
The event runs over three days in The Hague, a city known for its international courts and conference infrastructure. That location itself may add a layer of neutrality for global attendees.
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Why S&OP still matters
Sales & Operations Planning has been around for decades, but its role has shifted. Supply chain disruptions in recent years have pushed companies to treat planning as a continuous, cross-department process rather than a monthly meeting.
Integrated Business Planning takes that further by linking operational plans to financial targets. It’s not a new idea, but many firms still struggle to execute it well.
Technology is a big part of the conversation now. AI and data analytics are being used to reduce demand forecast errors and speed up decision-making. The conference will showcase tools and methods for doing that.
The human element in planning
One session might touch on how to get different departments to actually share information. That’s often harder than picking the right software. Cultural resistance can kill even the best planning system.
The event’s focus on collaboration suggests that organizers recognize this. But it’s one thing to talk about breaking silos, and another to do it.
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A few speakers may also address how to measure success. Without clear metrics, it’s easy to claim improvements that don’t hold up under scrutiny.
Practical takeaways for attendees
For those who go, the value will likely come from specific case studies and informal conversations. The formal sessions are scheduled but the real exchange often happens during breaks.
Organizers are offering a discount to early registrants, which could help smaller companies justify the trip. Travel and accommodation in The Hague can be expensive, so the savings matter.
Overall, the conference presents a snapshot of where S&OP and Integrated Business Planning stand in mid-2026. It won’t solve every supply chain problem, but it might spark ideas that lead to incremental improvements.