Link Logistics CEO at Semafor World Economy: Balanced Optimism in a Shifting Landscape

Link Logistics chief executive officer Luke J. Petherbridge joined more than 500 global CEOs and 5,000 total participants, including senior policymakers, investors and business leaders, at the 2026 Semafor World Economy in Washington, DC. On a panel with Jack Zhang, CEO of Airwallex, and moderated by Semafor business reporter Rohan Goswami, the discussion brought Link Logistics’ ground-level perspective on the U.S. economy to an influential global audience.

Drawing on insights from Link Logistics’ North American warehouse and industrial real estate portfolio and customer base, Petherbridge characterized the current environment as one of “balanced optimism,” pointing to continued strength in small-business leasing, stable inventory levels and manufacturing-adjacent growth, particularly in markets benefiting from the build-out of data centers and advanced manufacturing facilities.

The conversation went beyond real estate to explore how AI is transforming supply chains in ways that extend beyond network planning. From inventory management to operational efficiency across increasingly complex systems, Petherbridge used Amazon’s logistics footprint as a reference point to illustrate how that technological advantage has become broadly accessible.

“Capabilities once available only to the largest players are now available to anyone — including small and regional businesses,” said Petherbridge.

Petherbridge also addressed the structural forces driving long-term demand for last-mile space: rising consumer expectations for speed and the broader momentum of U.S. reindustrialization. Together, he argued, these trends create durable demand for well-located industrial real estate.

Watch the full conversation on YouTube below.