What revolutionary ideas will you come away with

he theme of ISM2020, Revolutionary Ideas, is a twist on Boston’s ties to the American Revolution. But more importantly, it’s a two-word description that sums up what attendees will experience at Institute for Supply Management^®’s 105th Annual Conference, April 26-29 at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center in Boston.

At each event, “there is going to be a takeaway or idea — something that people walk away with,” says Jessica Boyd, MBA, Director, Events and Communications at ISM^® . It could be a new connection through networking or a takeaway from a workshop or hackathon. Or it could be a new best practice, strategy or solution to implement on the job, she says.

Capitalizing on ‘Interactiveness’

The Revolutionary Ideas theme helped shape the content offered at the Conference, which once again features informative learning sessions featuring thought leaders and subject-matter experts, as well as networking events with peers. In addition, Monday’s and Tuesday’s agenda includes interactive hackathons in which attendees will work together to solve supply management-related challenges. Hackathon topics, which are reflective of the six Conference learning tracks, include “Making an Impact in the Next 100 Days,” “Dealing Directly with Indirect” and “Getting Real with Digital Transformation.”

“At each event, attendees can talk with and learn from each other about how to handle specific problems,” Boyd says. “There’s a lot of power within that mindsharing. When attendees are looking at different perspectives to a given problem — especially considering their different roles and levels of attendees — it should provide powerful takeaways.”

The hackathons aren’t the only interactivity at the Conference. Wednesday’s agenda features three concurrent hands-on workshops — four-hour deep dives on risk, talent of the future, and supplier capabilities, the latter with a focus on innovation and supplier development, Boyd says. “The workshops will have a tell-show-do-review flow,” with small-group breakouts and group discussion, she says.

At each workshop, attendees will:

• Learn about the topic
• Experience an interactive activity pertaining to it
• Review the issue as a team
• Get a takeaway.

ISM CEO Thomas W. Derry notes, “The ISM Annual Conference has always been the best source of education on leading practices in supply management. We’re building on that legacy in Boston, by incorporating hackathons and other opportunities for attendees to apply the knowledge they acquire to real-world business problems. This is one way we’re incorporating key principles for adult learning into the Conference experience, by providing opportunities to apply learning to situations they encounter at work.”

Action on Track

The six learning tracks are action-oriented. Offering something for everyone, whether an emerging professional or vice president, buyer or CPO, supply manager or operations manager, each track kicks off with a Signature Session and offers learning sessions spread over the Conference’s first three days.

The six tracks are:

• Making an Impact in the Next 100 Days.
  (See article on page 24.) Attendees can learn tools, insights and strategies that they can use immediately. Topics include becoming empowered to onboard and upboard your career success, as well as gaining traction and taking charge in new roles.
• Getting Real with Digital Transformation.
  Digital transformation is fostering change — but organizations must take charge of that transformation, not the other way around. Attendees will hear how other companies have transformed digitally and learn how to embrace technology to successfully move forward.
• Becoming a Value-Chain Superhero.
  The value the procurement function brings to the table goes far beyond cost. Sessions cover case studies and best practices and tools for driving value and aligning with business needs, as well as advanced category management.
• Dealing Directly with Indirect.
  Value also is key when dealing with indirect categories. Session topics that include driving IT procurement through strategic influence and end-to-end supply chain excellence will impart best practices and tools necessary to create value beyond cost savings.
• 
  Tackling the Talent Challenge. Talent is a hot topic among supply management organizations, and this track offers strategies and other insights on attracting and retaining talent to remain competitive.
• Today’s Win-Win Negotiator. In this track, attendees will learn negotiation strategies instrumental in helping supply management professionals deliver beyond price. Topics include dealing with deception and how personality and communication style can influence a negotiation.

Conference keynote speakers offer other opportunities for attendees to learn insights, skills and tools that can be used or translated to their companies and career. The keynotes, with biographies provided by their speakers bureau:

Nikki Haley, who served as the U.S. ambassador to United Nations from 2017 to 2019. Embracing teaching through storytelling, Haley imparts lessons in leadership, negotiating and decision-making through firsthand anecdotes from her career in public service. Using candor and sharp insight, she shows audiences that America is truly the land of opportunity — and that if you work hard, you can fulfill your full potential and achieve your highest aims.

Retired Marine Gen James Mattis, Secretary of Defense from 2017 to 2018. Mattis, a patriot who always puts country above self, steeped himself in the history and tradition of the military and dedicated himself to the Marine Corps. He speaks with candor and thoughtful analysis about the threats that face our nation and military. Humorous, compassionate and strategic, he also offers insightful lessons in leadership, with a deep focus on the art of empowering individuals.

A big hit at last year’s Conference in Houston, the Innovation Hall will again be the place where industry experts and service providers share information on cutting-edge digital technology, procurement trends and the latest product innovations.

Also at the Conference:

• Attendees can find out about products, services and more at the Exhibit Hall, which will feature more than 100 exhibitor booths of supply management-related products and services.
• Network opportunities abound. The Welcome Party and multiple networking receptions enable attendees to get to know their peers.
• Registration will have a new look and feel, with kiosks for self-check-in.
• Interactive electronic signage will help guide attendees to sessions and activities.

Tailor the Experience

In addition, as in previous Conferences, ISM2020 offers special programs that cater to (1) emerging professionals with up to eight years of supply management work experience and (2) leaders at large companies.

Emerging professionals can attend a kickoff session geared to them, plus other networking and learning opportunities like the ISM 30 Under 30 Supply Chain Stars reception and mixer.

The invitation-only ExecIn, a “conference within the Conference” designed for supply management leaders of non-consulting organizations with annual revenues of US$1.2 billion or more, features executive-level sessions and an opportunity to attend exclusive sessions with keynote speakers.