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A world of opportunity:
PMAC's 2007 annual conference
PMAC
With supply chains playing an increasingly critical, strategic and dynamic role in all organizations, procurement professionals want to stay on top of fast-moving developments in the field and find out what's next.
PMAC's 82nd annual conference, scheduled for June 13 - 15 in Niagara Falls, will bring leading experts together to share first-hand insights and provide guidance on navigating a changing marketplace. With more than 700 delegates expected to attend, the conference is the largest of its kind in Canada.
"This is truly the premier supply chain event in the country," says PMAC president Robert Dye. "You will learn the latest trends and best practices in supply chain management and business leadership. And you will build valuable connections. In short, you will gain a competitive advantage for your organization and your career."
The conference presents four world-class keynote speakers, 20 highly informative education sessions, entertaining networking events and an exciting trade show.
"A World of Opportunity is the theme for this year's conference," says Emily Eyre, C.P.P., conference chair. "It reflects the ever more global nature of what we dofrom sourcing in China to pooling our purchasing across international operations.
The theme also speaks to our changing profession, she adds. "Our field of practice is expanding throughout the supply chain. We're taking on positions of greater leadership. We're influencing the success of our enterprises, our communities and the environment through emerging areas such as green procurement."
A selection of the highlights from the three-day program include:
Supply chain management
Keynote speaker William Agee Jr., a certified master negotiator, will talk about how to overcome the challenges in cross-cultural business negotiations. He'll offer his insights on the cultural influences affecting the negotiation process in Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and Russia.
Wolfgang Zenger will deliver a keynote on Hewlett-Packard's successful global procurement strategy. He'll detail how HP deals with the challenges of sourcing its products and parts from low-cost countries to reduce costs and drive bottom-line competitiveness at home.
A.T. Kearney's vice-president and partner of global operations, Paul Inglis, will identify and interpret trends shaping tomorrow's business strategies and how these changing conditions will affect the ways organizations use supply relationships to manage risk and deliver increased value.
Business leadership
Strategy guru Nick Bontis from McMaster University will explain in his keynote how managers can effectively handle information overload. Information bombardment is the single most damaging threat to productivity but, if dealt with properly, can be turned into a competitive advantage for your company.
Keynote speaker and leadership expert Janet Lapp will explore how many business people have become complacent in their jobs and have stopped challenging themselves. Her message centres on how to take risks and win. She will give you the tools to renew your creativity and innovation at work.
Merge Gupta-Sunderji specializes in leadership and communication, and believes your success is measured by the impact you have on other people. She will discuss the five critical rules of leadership every manager must follow. You'll learn practical techniques you can use right away to become a better leader.
Networking events
Delegates can hit the links with fellow professionals at a charity golf tournament held at one of Niagara's historic courses.
The early bird event kicks off the conference at Table Rock restaurant, featuring an awe-inspiring view of Niagara Falls, international cuisine and entertainment.
A winery tour offers the opportunity to discover some of the Niagara Region's spectacular countryside and sample its finest vintages.
The conference wraps up with the board chair gala cocktail reception and dinner, followed by dancing to a live band.
Trade show and sponsorship
This year's event will again include a one-day trade show where procurement professionals can source new products, services and technologies. A few spaces are still available for the trade show, along with select sponsorship opportunities for companies interested in building awareness and developing relationships with Canada's supply chain leaders.
The PMAC conference continues to experience success based on its line-up of world-class business and industry speakers, stellar education sessions and unparalleled peer-to-peer networking.
This year's event promises to supply more top-quality intelligence and relevant dialogue to Canada's supply chain community.
For more information on the 2007 PMAC annual conference, visit www.pmac.ca or reach us at 1-888-799-0877.
The above column, and the French translation on page XX, was provided by the Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC).
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