5 Things You’ll Walk Away With From Arkestro Optimal ’25

Procurement is under pressure like never before. Costs are climbing, expectations are higher, and categories that once ran on autopilot now require sharper strategies and stronger execution. At Arkestro Optimal ’25, you’ll hear directly from the people navigating this shift and see how predictive procurement is helping them get there faster.

This isn’t a typical conference. It’s a working session for procurement professionals who want to see what’s working in practice and leave with strategies they can put to use right away.

Here’s what to expect:

Strategies That Scale Predictive Procurement Across the Enterprise

At Arkestro Optimal ’25, you’ll learn how some of the world’s largest organizations are scaling predictive procurement across teams and categories. You’ll see how they’re using predictive signals to influence more spend, align internal stakeholders, and accelerate decisions at scale.

You’ll also hear what made these programs stick. From executive buy-in to team workflows, you’ll walk away with the tactics that helped them move fast without disrupting what was already working.

And you won’t just hear about strategy. You’ll see what it looks like in practice—how procurement teams are increasing velocity while decreasing cycle times, and delivering savings in hard-to-move categories. These sessions focus on the work behind the outcomes: what changed inside the organization, how adoption took hold, and what actually moved the needle.

A Network of Leaders Who Are Rewriting the Playbook

Optimal brings together senior procurement and supply chain leaders across industries including energy, manufacturing, automotive, and more. These are the teams rolling out predictive sourcing in complex environments and driving results where it matters.

You’ll hear how they’re doing it in the sessions, but the real value often shows up in the

in-between moments—over lunch or during the Breakouts, and in the conversations that happen when people speak openly about what’s working and what they’re still figuring out.

A Deeper Look at the Platform Driving it All

Optimal is the only place where you can see the Arkestro platform in action at this level of depth. From document-based event creation to tools that shape supplier engagement, the sessions go beyond features and focus on how teams are using the technology to drive better decisions.

You’ll also get a preview of what’s coming next and leave with ideas you can apply right away.

Workshops Designed to Sharpen Your Edge

Optimal isn’t just about listening. It’s about building capability. This year’s workshops offer hands-on, focused sessions for professionals who want to level up their influence, sharpen negotiation skills, and deepen their understanding of the finance lens on procurement.

Arkestro Advanced User Training

A hands-on training session designed to help Arkestro customers get more from the platform. Learn how to structure high-impact events, shape supplier participation, and build procurement programs that deliver measurable results.

Negotiation Training with The Gap Partnership

This interactive workshop introduces the behavioral and tactical foundations of effective negotiation. You’ll practice applying key principles in real-world scenarios and leave with a more structured, confident approach to driving commercial value.

Speaking the CFO’s Language – Translating Sourcing into Financial Impact

Procurement results don’t always land with finance leaders. This session gives you the tools to fix that. You’ll learn how to translate procurement outcomes into financial metrics that resonate with CFOs, and present them in a way that drives influence.

A Clearer Path to Procurement’s Next Chapter

Whether your team is just getting started or already leading change, Optimal will help you rethink how you work and where you’re headed. You’ll leave with strategies you can put into practice and a better sense of how other teams are tackling the same challenges.

The ideas and conversations you’ll have in Houston will be practical and specific, and designed to help you make better decisions the moment you’re back at your desk.