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Community Connect
November 9 to 10, 2026 11 AM to 1 PM each day Education, case studies and panels

Turning the 2D Migration into Business Value

What organizations need to understand now to avoid costly gaps in scanning, printing, data and operations. Explore the opportunities enabled by 2D barcodes and the practical steps organizations can take to prepare their products, systems and teams.

Prepare for the Next Generation of Barcode Capabilities
Take part in showing how 2D readiness can support stronger traceability, better data and greater business value.
Become a Sponsor Register Here
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Day 1 – Monday, November 9: Understanding the 2D Opportunity and the Urgency to Prepare

11:00 AM to 1:00 PM ET
Time Session Speaker(s) Length
11:00 AM
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Welcome from AIM, recognition of event sponsors and an introduction to the purpose of the two-day program. The opening will explain that the barcode transition is focused on expanded capabilities and coexistence, rather than the overnight elimination of 1D barcodes.
Speaker to be announced 5 min
11:05 AM
Opening Keynote: The Global Journey Toward 2D Barcode Readiness
An overview of the industry vision for 2D barcode adoption, what the end-of-2027 goal means, the expected period of coexistence between linear and 2D barcodes and the actions organizations should take during the next 12 to 18 months.
Speaker to be announced 25 min
11:30 AM
More Than Product Identification: What 2D Barcodes Make Possible
Explore how 2D barcodes can support lot, batch, serial and expiration information, traceability, recall management, inventory accuracy, waste reduction, authentication, consumer engagement and access to digital product information.
Speaker to be announced 20 min
11:50 AM
The Cost of Waiting: Where Poor 2D Preparation Creates Risk
Examine potential readiness gaps involving scanners, printing, symbol quality, packaging redesign, data structures, legacy software, point-of-sale systems, cybersecurity, employee training and change management.
Speaker to be announced 20 min
12:10 PM
Industry Readiness Panel: Are We Truly Ready for 2D?
A cross-industry discussion examining readiness across manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and point-of-sale environments. Panelists will discuss ownership of the transition, system evaluation, interoperability testing, trading-partner coordination and the largest remaining gaps.
Panelists to be announced 30 min
12:40 PM
Audience Questions and Day One Closing
Moderated audience questions, a review of the actions organizations can begin taking immediately and a preview of Day Two's implementation-focused program.
Moderator to be announced 20 min

Day 2 – Tuesday, November 10: From Strategy to Successful Implementation

11:00 AM to 1:00 PM ET
Time Session Speaker(s) Length
11:00 AM
Welcome Back and Day One Recap
A brief review of the key conclusions from Day One, recognition of event sponsors and an introduction to Day Two's implementation focus.
Speaker to be announced 5 min
11:05 AM
Choosing the Right 2D Approach: An Implementation Case Study
A real-world perspective on how an organization evaluated its needs, selected an appropriate 2D barcode approach and prepared its products, systems and operations for deployment.
Speaker to be announced 20 min
11:25 AM
Will It Scan and Work? Printing, Verification and Data Quality
Learn about package-space constraints, print contrast, quiet zones, symbol placement, direct marking, production-line considerations, verification, scanner configuration, challenging packaging and barcode quality standards.
Speaker to be announced 20 min
11:45 AM
Beyond the Scanner: Preparing Software, Data and Business Processes
Explore point-of-sale and enterprise-system readiness, data parsing, database and master-data changes, ERP and WMS integration, digital-content management, cybersecurity, privacy, testing and the employee and customer experience.
Speaker to be announced 15 min
12:00 PM
Implementation in Action: Lessons from 2D Pilots and Deployments
Case-study presentations and a moderated panel featuring practical lessons from organizations implementing or testing 2D barcodes. Potential perspectives may include packaging, retail point-of-sale, food traceability, healthcare, printing, scanning, software and consumer engagement.
Panelists to be announced 60 min