ISM World 2024 Detailed Agenda

Kickoff ISM World with our first insightful keynote - to be announced!

All

Speaker(s): Thomas W. Derry

Exclusive to ExecIn attendees, get a behind-the-scenes opportunity for a question and answer session with ISM's Opening Keynote. 

Executives / Senior Leaders

Leaking sensitive information to suppliers is a common negotiation pitfall that can significantly impact your company’s leverage. This session explores the concept of backdoor selling, how it undermines your negotiation position, and actionable strategies to prevent it while maintaining strong supplier relationships.

Presented from the perspective of a professionally trained salesperson who has used backdoor selling to close hundreds of millions of dollars in deals, attendees will gain a unique insider’s view. Learn how to protect your organization from these tactics and strengthen your negotiation outcomes.

Managers / Directors

Speaker(s): Erich Rifenburgh

2024 has been a year where Procurement’s priority shifted significantly to cost reduction in an effort to enable their organizations concerns over broader economic health, but it has also been a year where broad-based awareness of the impact of Generative AI on the procurement operating model became more entrenched.  Looking forward to 2025, how will procurement teams prepare for success?   Join this session to gain insights into Hackett’s recently published 2025 Procurement Key Priorities research covering the following areas…

• Key trends that will have a transformational impact on the procurement agenda over the next five years.
• 2025 key objectives and transformation plans for procurement organizations.
• Projected changes in procurement workloads, staffing levels, operating budgets and technology spending.
• Expected trends in procurement including operating model and analytics.
• The use of generative AI and technology to enable procurement capabilities.

Executives/Senior Leaders

Speaker(s): Chris Sawchuk

Many procurement professionals encounter fleet management or mobility sourcing for the first time without fully understanding its significant impact on strategic organizational goals. This session explores how fleet and mobility initiatives contribute to decarbonization, employee safety, supplier diversity, and digital transformation.

Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the strategic value fleet management brings to supply chain operations and leave equipped with knowledge to approach these exercises with greater confidence and effectiveness.

Managers/Directors

Speaker(s): Philip Chow

Many companies unknowingly leave significant savings on the table due to misunderstandings, misconceptions, and a lack of shared language around procurement and financial decisions. This session dives into why organizations often opt for lower-value alternatives and fail to invest in their highest ROI functions, despite clear benefits.

Through engaging discussions and relatable examples presented in a simple and enjoyable format, attendees will uncover the barriers to achieving optimal procurement savings. Participants will leave with fresh perspectives and actionable ideas to align financial strategies with high-value procurement opportunities.

Executives / Senior Leaders

Speaker(s): Ryan  Bradford

Join us for an intimate, 30-minute discussion with industry leaders. Not your typical presentation. It's a chance to connect directly with experienced professionals, learn about their career journeys, and gain valuable insights to propel your own career forward.

In this small-group setting, you'll have the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and build relationships with like-minded individuals. Join this informal and impactful conversation. Space is limited.

Managers / Directors

Exclusive to ExecIn attendees, this roundtable discussion will dive into hot topics and concerns identified and facilitated by ISM's Thought Leadership Council. This includes discussion on the current and future state of the profession, talent challenges, geopolitical risks, digital transformation, AI, and more. Collaborate and share learnings with an elite group of peers in this freeform set of table topics and networking. 

Executives / Senior Leaders

The State of the Procurement Profession 2025 survey offers invaluable insights into the evolving procurement landscape. Last year’s findings revealed a positive economic climate and an optimistic outlook, with companies fostering entrepreneurial mindsets in procurement achieving higher performance, overcoming digitalization challenges, and boosting employee satisfaction. However, many procurement organizations continued to fall short of their digitalization targets, with progress slipping further compared to the previous year.

This year’s survey promises equally relevant and actionable insights. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of current trends, challenges, and opportunities in procurement, helping them navigate the year ahead with confidence and clarity.

Executives/Senior Leaders

Speaker(s): Ruth Schültken, Ph.D., Christoph Bode, Ph.D.

Ethical and moral decision-making is a cornerstone of effective procurement practices. This session examines the ethical landscape in procurement, addressing challenges such as conflicts of interest and bribery while exploring the consequences of unethical behavior. Attendees will learn about various ethical decision-making frameworks, including utilitarianism and deontology, with practical examples of their application in procurement scenarios.

The session also focuses on fostering an ethical procurement culture by emphasizing the role of leadership, clear policies, comprehensive training, and technology to mitigate risks. Real-world case studies will illustrate ethical dilemmas and underscore the professional responsibility of procurement practitioners to uphold high ethical standards.

Managers/Directors

Speaker(s): Lenora Sevillian 

California’s Air Resources Board (CARB) mandate for zero-emission trucks is set to reshape fleet procurement, presenting both challenges and opportunities. With electric trucks required to make up 50% of all heavy-duty truck sales by 2035—and all new trucks zero-emission by 2027—supply chain disruptions and economic impacts are anticipated well in advance. A prebuy surge in 2025-2026, coupled with rising diesel truck costs, underscores the urgency for proactive planning.

This session equips attendees with strategies for multi-year procurement planning, aligning with OEM trends, and leveraging data to evaluate EV viability. Participants will learn how to create ESG roadmaps that transition fleets from diesel to alternative fuels while mitigating supply chain and cost risks.

Executives / Senior Leaders

Speaker(s): Brian  Antonellis

Join us for an intimate, 30-minute discussion with industry leaders. Not your typical presentation. It's a chance to connect directly with experienced professionals, learn about their career journeys, and gain valuable insights to propel your own career forward.

In this small-group setting, you'll have the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and build relationships with like-minded individuals. Join this informal and impactful conversation. Space is limited.

Managers / Directors

Join us for this exclusive luncheon program to meet the most recent class of Richter Scholars. It's a great opportunity to network and hear from top talent emerging from supply chain academic programs and learn more about the talent of the future.

Executives / Senior Leaders

Speaker(s): Elizabeth Richter, CPSM, CSCP

Join the final four student teams as part of the final round of the annual ISM International Student Case Competition as they present their creative and compelling solutions to this year’s case. The competition gives students an opportunity to gain real-world case solving experience within supply management while also applying their knowledge and diverse perspectives to a solution.

Of the final four teams, the top three will receive a financial reward among other benefits from ISM. Attendees will be able to view case details and vote for their top selections within the conference mobile app, and input will be compiled along with votes from a panel of judges. Winners will be announced on Tuesday, June 3. 

Executives/Senior Leaders

SPEAKER(S): Judith (Judy) Whipple, Ph.D.

Executives / Senior Leaders

Speaker(s): Camille Batiste

A trusted supply chain is critical for success in Aerospace and Defense, but risks such as counterfeit parts and challenges in sourcing electronic components threaten operational reliability. These issues can disrupt your ability to meet customer needs and maintain performance standards.

This session will provide insights into gaining visibility into part information, navigating contractual obligations and rights, and implementing risk mitigation strategies. Attendees will walk away with actionable approaches to safeguard their supply chain against counterfeit risks and sourcing vulnerabilities.

Individual Contributors

Speaker(s): Sarah Baire, Danielle Albright

Benchmarks can be your guiding light—or your blind spot. But which benchmarks truly add value, and which ones risk leading you astray? This session will explore all types of procurement benchmarking, examining price comparisons, spend levels, potential savings, and team resourcing.

Attendees will discover which benchmarks are most useful in different scenarios, learn to avoid common pitfalls, and explore the best sources for actionable insights. If you’ve ever questioned the relevance of your benchmarks, this session will provide the clarity needed to drive smarter, data-backed decisions.

Managers/Directors

Speaker(s): Tyler Vigen

Join us for an intimate, 30-minute discussion with industry leaders. Not your typical presentation. It's a chance to connect directly with experienced professionals, learn about their career journeys, and gain valuable insights to propel your own career forward.

In this small-group setting, you'll have the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and build relationships with like-minded individuals. Join this informal and impactful conversation. Space is limited.

Managers / Directors

Supplier diversity is not only a corporate responsibility but also a strategic advantage in today’s market. This session highlights the crucial role of Disadvantaged, Minority, and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (DMWBE) certification in unlocking the full potential of supplier diversity programs. Attendees will learn how certification strengthens program performance by ensuring inclusivity and fostering innovation.

The discussion will provide actionable insights into leveraging DMWBE certification to drive measurable impact, create opportunities, and build a robust supply chain. Participants will leave with strategies to enhance their supplier diversity efforts and achieve meaningful business outcomes.

Managers / Directors

Speaker(s): Sheena Thomas

This panel discussion, led by the ISM-New Jersey Chapter, brings together life sciences supply management professionals and a trade association leader to share best practices. The session explores how adopting an industry-specific lens to supply management capabilities and practices can enhance impact and effectiveness, providing valuable insights for attendees.

With New Jersey’s 130-year tradition of leadership in life sciences—home to 13 of the largest global biopharmaceutical companies and known as the "Medicine Chest of the World"—ISM-NJ members bring deep expertise in a sector renowned for innovation and global impact. Attendees will gain practical strategies and learn from experiences unique to this transformative industry.

Managers/Directors

Speaker(s): John Perez

Join us for an intimate, 30-minute discussion with industry leaders. Not your typical presentation. It's a chance to connect directly with experienced professionals, learn about their career journeys, and gain valuable insights to propel your own career forward.

In this small-group setting, you'll have the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and build relationships with like-minded individuals. Join this informal and impactful conversation. Space is limited.

Managers / Directors

To kickoff the ISM Awards Gala, registered gala attendees can enjoy a networking cocktail reception.

Audience: Ticketed Attendees

The ISM Awards Gala is a celebration of both our individual and organizational award winners. Join this year's award season winners from the ISM 30 Under 30 Rising Supply Chain Stars, the J. Shipman Gold Medal Award, the R. Gene Richter Scholarship Program as well as the organizational winners of the ISM Supply Chain Trailblazer awards. You will be among the best of the best to network and celebrate amazing contributions to supply chain excellence.

This supply management celebration is a can’t miss event kicking off ISM World 2025. Don’t miss your chance to network and celebrate with the best in supply chain.

Audience: Ticketed Attendees

Speaker(s): Thomas W. Derry