Next Gen Trucking and International Foodservice Distribution Association (IFDA) brings students and industry leaders together for hands-on career exploration, leadership development, and real-world connections.
SAN ANTONIO, TX — For 50 high school students, the 2026 International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) Solutions Conference was more than a field trip. It gave them a chance to discover new career pathways, build confidence, and connect directly with the people who keep America’s foodservice distribution industry moving.
For the second consecutive year, Next Gen Trucking partnered with IFDA to host Student Day, an initiative designed to introduce high school students to careers in trucking, transportation, and foodservice distribution.
Following the inaugural event in Columbus, Ohio, which welcomed two groups of supply chain students, this year’s program expanded to three high school groups. Interest exceeded the event’s 50-student capacity, with additional schools eager to participate.
Students representing commercial driver’s license (CDL), automotive technology, agricultural mechanics, and welding programs spent the day exploring the industry through leadership development, conversations with business executives, and hands-on experiences on the IFDA Solutions Conference exhibit floor.
Building Confidence Through the Leadership Lab
One of the most impactful parts of the IFDA Student Day happened before students ever stepped onto the exhibit floor.
An interactive Leadership Lab, facilitated by Dr. Gina Anderson, CEO and Learning Scientist at Luma Brighter Learning, gave students the opportunity to develop one of the most important skills employers seek: effective communication.
During the activity, students participated in small-group roundtable discussions with executives from foodservice distribution and related industries. Students were provided with conversation starters to help break the ice, but were also encouraged to ask their own questions about career pathways, leadership, workplace expectations, and what it takes to succeed.
Industry executives rotated between tables, giving students the opportunity to engage with multiple professionals while practicing their communication skills, active listening, and confidence in a supportive environment.
“Communication is a critical skill necessary for today’s workforce, but we can’t expect young people to become confident communicators without giving them opportunities to practice,” said Dr. Anderson.
“I watched their confidence grow as they practiced listening, asking questions, and engaging in real conversations. These are skills you build by doing, not just by talking about them.”
The experience gave students a valuable opportunity to move beyond the classroom and practice professional communication in a supportive environment.
For the participating industry leaders, it was also a chance to hear directly from the next generation of talent and build meaningful connections with young people exploring their futures.
What Industry Leaders Want the Next Generation to Know
During the executive discussions, students heard firsthand what employers value in the workforce of the future.
Ken Currie, Vice President of Partner Sales at Descartes, shared an important message with students: “How they show up in the world matters.”
He encouraged students to recognize that while appearance and professionalism can make a first impression, attitude, mindset, curiosity, and a willingness to learn matter even more.
His advice included showing up early, being flexible, seeking feedback, volunteering for new opportunities, and focusing on understanding why things work rather than simply being right.
Melissa Rountree, CCMR Advisor at Byron P. Steele High School and one of the educators accompanying students, saw tremendous value in these conversations.
“At the IFDA Student Day, students gained a competitive edge in career readiness by engaging in a roundtable Q&A with food service distribution business leaders to discover exactly what top employers look for, from a strong work ethic and positive attitude to exceptional time management,” said Rountree.
These conversations reinforced an important lesson: Technical skills can open the door to a career, but communication, professionalism, and a willingness to learn help young people succeed once they get there.
Hands-On Experiences Bring Career Possibilities to Life
Following the Leadership Lab and lunch, students explored the IFDA Solutions Conference exhibit hall, where they were introduced to the equipment, technologies, and companies supporting the foodservice distribution industry.
For many, the opportunity to experience a commercial truck driving simulator was a highlight of the day.
Driver Training Solutions, an Acron Aviation Company, provided students with an interactive opportunity to experience the perspective of a professional truck driver.
“One of the highlights of IFDA Student Day was seeing how excited the students were to get behind the wheel of our commercial truck driving simulator and discover the many opportunities available in the trucking and transportation industry,” said Kimberly Gilles, Tradeshow Account Manager at Driver Training Solutions.
“Seeing young people so engaged, asking questions, and genuinely interested in learning about this career field was incredibly rewarding.”
For Deven, a student from Dilley High School, the experience made a lasting impression.
“I really enjoyed learning about all the career options with trucking and commercial driving. I especially liked the driving simulator!”
Beyond the simulator, students explored exhibits and interacted with industry professionals, gaining a broader understanding of the many career opportunities available throughout trucking, logistics, and foodservice distribution.
Whether their interests lay in driving, maintenance, technology, operations, or another area of the supply chain, the experience helped students see how the skills they learn today can lead to meaningful careers tomorrow.
Connecting Tomorrow’s Workforce with Today’s Employers
As the trucking and foodservice distribution industries look to the future, experiences like the IFDA Student Day show why connecting students with employers early in their career exploration matters.
For Vincent Yancigay, General Manager at DiCarlo Food Service and a next-generation industry leader, who participated in the student day reinforced the importance of introducing young people to career opportunities they might not otherwise discover.
“Instead of just hearing about potential careers in a classroom, they were able to sit and learn from industry professionals across the country, see the show floor with all the technology and equipment we use daily, and better understand how involved foodservice distribution is and all the potential career paths,” said Yancigay.
He also emphasized the importance of reaching students before they decide on their futures.
“I think the biggest takeaway is that we need to engage with the next generation earlier. Not every student knows exactly what they want to do after high school, which is okay! Programs like this can open their eyes to career paths they may have never considered.”
That message captures the purpose behind IFDA Student Day.
Many young people are unaware of the variety of careers available in transportation and foodservice distribution. By bringing students directly into an industry conference, IFDA and Next Gen Trucking are helping bridge that awareness gap while creating meaningful connections between education and industry.
With more schools interested than the event could accommodate this year, enthusiasm for these experiences continues to grow.
When education and industry come together, students gain more than exposure to careers. They gain connections, confidence, and a clearer picture of what’s possible.
Special Thanks to Our Industry Partners
Next Gen Trucking extends a special thank you to IFDA for partnering with us to make the second annual Student Day possible, and to the following industry professionals who generously shared their time, expertise, and enthusiasm with students:
- Dr. Gina Anderson — Luma Brighter Learning
- Vincent Yancigay — DiCarlo Food Service
- Jon Birdwell — Ben E. Keith
- Brian Kulak — McLane Foodservice
- Don Durm — PLM Fleet
- Drew Wilson — Sutherland’s Foodservice
- Aaron Kerkoff — Kohl Wholesale
- Ken Currie — Descartes
- Kimberly Gilles — Driver Training Solutions
- James Quatrine — Forklift-Simulator
We also thank the educators who brought their students, the exhibitors who provided hands-on experiences, and everyone who helped make this event a success.
Most importantly, thank you to the students for bringing their curiosity, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn!
Together, we are inspiring and preparing the next generation of trucking, transportation, and foodservice distribution professionals.