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Bigger Twitter at #ISM2018

May 07, 2018

In the country-music capital of the world, there were enough tweets on the first day of ISM®'s Annual International Supply Management Conference to fill a 10-gallon cowboy hat several times over. Attendees clearly arrived in Tennessee prepared to volunteer — get it? — their best social-media takes.

The #ISM2018 hashtag got liberal use in Nashville on Sunday night and all day on Monday, and we collected enough material for three days’ worth of blog entries. However, we’ll stick with our favorites and encourage Conference-goers to keep walking the line to the "tweet" button. We’ll compile and present the best posts from Tuesday and Wednesday as well.

The first Conference social-media trend was how much attendees were impressed with the venue. The site of ISM2017 — Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida — is hard to top, but the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, replete with its huge, gorgeous atrium, quickly proved to be a stunning backdrop.

The hotel ambience — as well as a large electric guitar a that was a popular spot for attendees to pose for photographs — made the Welcome Party the place to be on Sunday night.

Monday's keynote speaker was Arianna Huffington, best known as former president and editor-in-chief at Huffington Post Media Group, She is CEO and founder of Thrive Global, a media and technology company focused on offering science-based solutions on lowering stress and enhancing wellness and performance. Huffington implored attendees to improve their business productivity by prioritizing anything but business — particularly nutrition, exercise and (perish the thought) sleep.

Supply management professionals have had a lot to say about the Trump administration's tariffs and trade policy, and it was no different on the opening day of the Conference, especially amid the release of ISM's Spring 2018 Semiannual Economic Forecast.

The future of supply management took a bow with the 30 Under 30 Rising Supply Chain Stars, a program sponsored by ISM and Thomas.

The breakout sessions offered plenty of insights to take away. Although the session menu covers all pertinent supply management issues, the primary focus this year is on digitization — how procurement professionals can recognize trends and leverage technology opportunities.

The smiles and sense of humor of good procurement people, in the Exhibit Hall and elsewhere on-site, are always among the best images at an ISM Annual Conference.

And speaking of smiling faces, although this tweet was posted a couple of days before ISM2018, the spirit in which it was disseminated extends through Wednesday — and beyond. Procurement professionals, we're glad you're in Nashville with us.