From (Online) Catalogs to Commerce: What’s Next in B2B Commerce

VIP Dinner - Chicago, IL (B2B Online)

May 4, 2026 6:00 PM8:30 PM CST

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Here's what we talked about

  • Digital expectations are forcing B2B manufacturers, distributors, and wholesalers to rethink how to sell faster than their current capabilities allow
    • Attendees will share what triggered their shift and how teams across IT, marketing and digital are defining success over the next 12 to 18 months
  • Avoiding internal friction when evolving beyond legacy order-taking - such as portals, gated logins, get-a-quote, or catalogs-only
    • The group will unpack where alignment exists today and where internal breakdowns are slowing progress
  • Internal barriers are often the biggest constraint on modernization, not the technology itself
    • Discussion will focus on navigating budget pressure, competing priorities, channel conflict, and driving change across established teams
  • Customers want more digital flexibility but still rely on manual processes that are hard to unwind
    • The group will explore what customers are ready to adopt, what they resist, and how that shapes near term decisions
  • Pressure to integrate AI solutions is increasing but how to identify where to add value versus complexity
    • Attendees will compare where AI is working today and where processes are too fragmented to support it without added complexity

Event Partners

Intershop

Intershop Communications AG is a leading independent provider of high-performance, AI-supported B2B e-commerce software and cloud solutions, founded in 1992 and headquartered in Germany. They enable manufacturers and wholesalers to digitalize and automate sales processes, offering flexible, scalable, and personalized commerce experiences.

Data Realm

Data Realm is a specialized headless commerce partner that helps brands optimize, innovate, and scale digital commerce platforms. With over a decade of experience, they provide onshore expert guidance, technical development, and AI-enhanced solutions.

Guest Speakers

Aaron Conant LinkedIn

Co-Founder & Managing Director at BWG Connect

Aaron Conant is Co-Founder and Chief Digital Strategist at BWG Connect, a networking and knowledge sharing group of thousands of brands who collectively grow their digital knowledge base and collaborate on partner selection. Speaking 1x1 with over 1200 brands a year and hosting over 250 in-person and virtual events, he has a real time pulse on the newest trends, strategies and partners shaping growth in the digital space.

Lee Trotter LinkedIn

Director, Digital Engagement at Data Realm

Lee Trotter is a digital engagement leader with 10+ years in e‑commerce and composable architecture. As Director, Digital Engagement at Data Realm, he helps organizations modernize complex ecosystems. Known for his clarity and authenticity, Lee brings practical insight to every discussion.

Wayne Teigen LinkedIn

Executive Director, Enterprise Strategy & Solutions at Intershop

Wayne Teigen is the Executive Director, Enterprise Strategy & Solutions at Intershop and a B2B eCommerce strategist with over 15 years of global experience helping manufacturers, distributors and companies of all sizes scale their digital operations. Unlike many in the software space, Wayne’s background goes beyond platforms - he has spent years on the implementation side, working directly with businesses to optimize their digital strategies, integrate sales teams, and automate processes for long-term success.

Event Moderator

Aaron Conant LinkedIn

Co-Founder & Managing Director at BWG Connect

Aaron Conant is Co-Founder and Chief Digital Strategist at BWG Connect, a networking and knowledge sharing group of thousands of brands who collectively grow their digital knowledge base and collaborate on partner selection. Speaking 1x1 with over 1200 brands a year and hosting over 250 in-person and virtual events, he has a real time pulse on the newest trends, strategies and partners shaping growth in the digital space.

Lee Trotter LinkedIn

Director, Digital Engagement at Data Realm

Lee Trotter is a digital engagement leader with 10+ years in e‑commerce and composable architecture. As Director, Digital Engagement at Data Realm, he helps organizations modernize complex ecosystems. Known for his clarity and authenticity, Lee brings practical insight to every discussion.

Wayne Teigen LinkedIn

Executive Director, Enterprise Strategy & Solutions at Intershop

Wayne Teigen is the Executive Director, Enterprise Strategy & Solutions at Intershop and a B2B eCommerce strategist with over 15 years of global experience helping manufacturers, distributors and companies of all sizes scale their digital operations. Unlike many in the software space, Wayne’s background goes beyond platforms - he has spent years on the implementation side, working directly with businesses to optimize their digital strategies, integrate sales teams, and automate processes for long-term success.

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What is BWG Connect?

BWG Connect provides executive strategy & networking sessions that help brands from any industry with their overall business planning and execution. BWG has built an exclusive network of 125,000+ senior professionals and hosts over 2,000 virtual and in-person networking events on an annual basis.
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