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Manifest 2026 was large, energetic, and densely attended. Yet beyond the scale of the event, what stood out most was the seriousness of the conversations taking place.
“Manifest: The Future of Supply Chain & Logistics Conference in Las Vegas (Feb 9–11) did not disappoint this year. IB was in full force and secured over 70 meetings with new prospects, active prospects, partners, and existing customers. With over 7,500 attendees, this was a record-setting turnout for the conference.” (Chas Gorham, VP of Sales, International Bridge)
Across those meetings with brands, 3PLs, and platform partners, discussions reflected structured evaluation rather than exploratory conversations. The tone pointed to something broader: shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. territories is increasingly being examined as part of core network performance rather than treated as extended coverage.
That distinction matters.
For a deeper operational breakdown, see our definitive guide to non-continental U.S. shipping.
What shifted in our conversations
The contrast with prior years was noticeable.
Previously, discussions often began with orientation – market size, transit expectations, and operational differences between mainland and non-continental lanes. This year, those fundamentals were largely assumed. The emphasis moved directly to execution: service consistency, onboarding stability, peak readiness, and performance under scale.
As one internal reflection summarized:
“These weren’t introductory conversations. They were structured evaluations.”
The nature of those conversations suggests that shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico is entering formal procurement cycles and longer-term network planning discussions rather than being reviewed as opportunistic expansion.
Demand progressing through the cycle
The timeline of engagement reinforces that pattern.
Several customers launching in early 2026 were first introduced to IB at last year’s Manifest. Enterprise logistics decisions rarely resolve quickly; they move through modelling, internal alignment, and risk assessment before activation begins.
When conversations advance year over year in this way, it reflects structured evaluation rather than event-driven momentum. The pace may appear gradual, but it is deliberate – and more durable as a result.
Focus as structure, not positioning
In that environment, specialization is structural – it shapes planning, investment, and execution.
Shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories is often positioned as extended coverage within mainland parcel networks. At International Bridge, it has always been central. For more than two decades, non-continental U.S. shipping has shaped our operational standards, planning discipline, and long-term investment decisions.
It is not an adjacent offering layered onto a broader network; it is the foundation around which the network is organized.
Because of that, growth decisions are framed differently. Rather than adapting mainland assumptions to non-continental realities, we build around those realities from the outset.
Discipline visible in execution
A structural approach becomes most visible during implementation.
Activation is not a procedural milestone; it establishes the conditions for long-term stability. The first 30 to 90 days therefore receive deliberate attention, as early performance consistency compounds over time while early volatility can persist.
In non-continental markets, performance variability is more visible, and recovery windows are narrower. Service gaps surface quickly, and confidence is harder to rebuild once disrupted.
Execution discipline, in that context, is not reactive. It is preventative.
Reinforced direction
Taken together, these signals point in a consistent direction.
Manifest did not redefine our strategy. It confirmed that the market is increasingly aligned with it.
Shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico is being evaluated structurally.
International Bridge exists to serve these markets with focus and consistency. That focus is intentional rather than reactive.
As evaluation cycles become more formal and scrutiny increases, clarity of purpose becomes a competitive advantage.
If you would like to explore how your shipping strategy to Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico aligns with long-term network planning, learn more about our non-continental shipping solutions.