One of the best aspects of PDI Connections Live is the tightknit community of PDI associates, customers, and sponsors from across the fuel and convenience retail industry. Year after year, we see familiar faces and welcome in hundreds of new attendees.
With training such a vital part of the conference, we’re highlighting a few of the PDI instructors who will be in Texas this year to share their insights and answer all the questions you’ve been saving over the past year.
If you haven’t already registered, sign up before the Advanced Rate discount ends on July 31!
Beth Hamilton
What I do at PDI
I’m the Director of Product Management for Wholesale and I joined PDI in 2019. One of my favorite parts of the job is working directly with customers—not just to understand what they need, but to help them get the most out of our software. I also love sharing what I know, whether I’m presenting at Connections Live, training teams, or mentoring others in product management. If you see me at the conference, don’t hesitate to stop and say hello!
What I’ll be teaching at Connections Live
- PDI Enterprise: Warehouse Mobility
- Energy Ecosystem Part 1 Wholesale and PCF: Overview and Roadmap
- PDI Enterprise Wholesale: Underutilized Features
- Warehouse Inventory Optimization
- Warehouse Best Practices
- PDI Enterprise Wholesale: Advanced Freight Functionality
- PDI Enterprise Wholesale: Card Processing Overview
- Wholesale Speed Networking
- Wholesale, Logistics, Warehouse, and More Hands-on Experience
Why you should take these classes
PDI Enterprise Warehouse Mobility isn’t a session where you just watch a demo—you’ll get to try it yourself. Grab a device, scan some barcodes, and experience how Warehouse Mobility connects the dots between your warehouse operations and PDI Enterprise. You’ll walk away with a better understanding of how scanning can simplify processes, reduce errors, and help your team work smarter.
Best thing about Connections Live
Watching the light bulbs go on for attendees. There’s nothing better than seeing someone realize a feature they’ve had all along can solve a problem they’ve been working around for years. Those “Wait…you can do that?!” moments happen every year, and they’re a great reminder that there’s always something new to learn. That’s what makes Connections Live so valuable.
Hot tip for Connections Live
Don’t be afraid to participate! Ask questions, share your experiences, and learn from the people around you—some of the best ideas come from conversations with your peers. If there’s something specific you’d like to discuss with the PDI product team, don’t wait until the conference. Reach out ahead of time, and we’ll be happy to meet one-on-one, even if it’s over breakfast, lunch, or between sessions.
Favorite c-store snack
Combos, specifically the Cheddar Cheese Pretzel. Flavor matters!
Tryston Blisard
What I do at PDI
I’m a Senior Training Specialist and course developer at PDI, focused on building and refining the hands-on training content behind our ERP and retail solutions. I develop and manage course materials for a large share of the Connections Live catalog, and I also serve as an ambassador for PDI Customer User Groups. I’ve been with PDI for eight years and my goal is to make our training clear, practical, and genuinely useful!
What I’ll be teaching at Connections Live
- PDI Enterprise Pricebook: Hands-On Fundamentals and Best Practices
- PDI Enterprise: Pricebook PBDX
- PDI Enterprise: Mastering Pricebook Data with Excel
Why you should take these classes
If you want to get hands-on and truly comfortable managing your Pricebook data, these sessions are for you. We work directly in the tools, from core Pricebook fundamentals and best practices to PBDX and using Excel to analyze, export, and import your data—so you leave the conference able to do it yourself.
Best thing about Connections Live
Getting to connect face-to-face with the customers who use these PDI tools every day. The conversations in the hallways and between sessions are where the best ideas come from.
Hot tip for Connections Live
Don’t just attend sessions—come with the specific problems you’re trying to solve and bring them to the class instructors, or to the open lab! That’s how you’ll get the most out of your week.
Favorite c-store snack
Almond M&M’s
Elly Sheppard
What I do at PDI
I’m a Director of Product Management for the Retail sphere of PDI. My focus is making sure our retailers are heard, and that our roadmaps and funded projects reflect the concerns and needs that our customers have with our software. I’ve been with PDI for five years and am looking forward to many more!
What I’ll be teaching at Connections Live
- Death to Desktop: Moving Away from the Back-Office PC Roundtable/Feedback
- Implementing Retail Site Management: Technology and Security Considerations
- PDI Enterprise Retail: Roadmap
- PDI Enterprise: Retail Feedback and Roundtable
- Store Technology Infrastructure: Architecture, Integration, and Footprint
- Store Technology Supportability: Monitoring, Security, and Lifecycle Management
- Technology: Future of Enterprise Architecture
Why you should take these classes
These classes focus on the future of PDI Enterprise, as well as the infrastructure behind many PDI products and how they interact with Enterprise. I would recommend attending any of them if you want to learn more about the behind-the-scenes work we do, or if you have any feedback or input on where our software is headed.
Best thing about Connections Live
Big Night Out!!!
Hot tip for Connections Live
Take advantage of the lab! It’s your best opportunity to speak to PDI product and consulting representatives with any problems, concerns, or suggestions you have.
Favorite c-store snack
Cheetos Cheddar Jalapeño
Andy McAdams
What I do at PDI
I’m Vice President, Product Management, with three years at PDI.
What I’ll be teaching at Connections Live
- PDI Suggested Ordering: Maximizing Efficiency
- PDI Enterprise: Advanced Foodservice and Production Management
- Electronic Shelf Labels with Vusion
Why you should take these classes
I’m really excited for suggested ordering and foodservice. These are two areas where technology can dramatically impact not only your bottom line but also improve the daily lives of your employees.
Best thing about Connections Live
I love seeing everyone in person. I meet with PDI customers all year, but seeing everyone in person and experiencing the spirited conversations in our classes brings the electricity that you will only find at Connections Live.
Hot tip for Connections Live
When you get to your hotel room, lie on the ground next to the wall and put your feet up for 15 minutes. It will make your legs feel so much fresher the next day!
Favorite c-store snack
Chex Mix Bold
Mark Thomas
What I do at PDI
I’m a Director of Consulting at PDI. I implemented and ran our ERP system as a customer and joined the PDI consulting team in 2000. My background covers host- and store-level operations, including POS interfaces, foodservice, item-level inventory, integrations, wholesale implementations, and reporting. I enjoy figuring out how to implement PDI solutions with challenging business requirements.
Best thing about Connections Live
Meeting new people from all over the country and finding out how they use our systems to meet their unique business needs.
Hot tip for Connections Live
Pace yourself. It’s a marathon, and you can make it, but take advantage of the breaks. Grab your snack, find someone you don’t know, and start a conversation. Being stationary with something sweet and meeting someone new is a great way to recharge.
Favorite c-store snack
Hersey’s Milk Chocolate with Almonds
Meet the instructors in person!
We hope you’ll join us in Texas this August!
