FreightWaves Opens Nominations for 2026 AI Excellence Award

FreightWaves is accepting nominations for its 2026 AI Excellence in Supply Chain Award, recognizing companies that have moved artificial intelligence from experimental projects into core operations. The award will be presented live at the Supply Chain AI Symposium in Chicago, Illinois, on July 15, 2026. The deadline for submissions is 5:00 PM ET on July 10, 2026. The award honors companies using AI, machine learning, and large language models to drive demand forecasting, real-time visibility, document processing, and route optimization. Nominations span two categories: AI Solution Providers, which recognizes technology vendors and software developers building AI tools for logistics, and Operational AI Integration, which honors carriers, 3PLs, shippers, and freight forwarders that have deployed or custom-built AI systems in their own operations. For trucking companies and logistics providers, the award reflects an industry shift where AI has become standard practice rather than a pilot program. Fleets investing in AI-driven route optimization, predictive maintenance, and visibility platforms now compete on measurable efficiency gains. The two-track structure acknowledges that some operators build the technology while others integrate it to improve decision-making and reduce operational costs. Participation signals a company's commitment to adopting or advancing AI capabilities that increasingly define competitive advantage in freight management.