Here are three questions to ask as you evaluate the options:1. Does the agenda align with the key initiatives Im working on?
Simply put, give priority to events where you will walk away with knowledge and information that you can immediately apply at your company to get your job done better and faster. And if you require the support of your technology and 3PL partners to accomplish your initiatives, then you should attend their user conferences and schedule meetings with their senior executives to let them know whats working well and what improvements they can make to better serve you
2. Will I learn something new, particularly in an area that I dont know much about today but is critically important for my career and leadership development?
If youre a transportation professional, for example, and all you know is transportation, your opportunities for advancement are limited compared to someone who has a broader supply chain perspective. So, go ahead, attend a session on Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), supply chain risk management, business intelligence and analytics, or other area outside your comfort zone to brighten your horizon
3. Does the event promote peer-to-peer learning and networking or will I spend most of my time sitting through numerous PowerPoint presentations?
In my experience, events that enable attendees to share knowledge and advice with each other (via small breakout sessions, for example) instead of just sitting through an endless stream of PowerPoint presentations, provide the greatest learning value
Regarding peer-to-peer learning, I have a question for you:If you were assembling a Dream Team of supply chain executives to have dinner with to obtain their perspective and advice on leadership and industry topics, who would you invite (name of executive and/or company)?
Click here to share your invite list and Ill highlight the results in a future posting
Okay, now that you have a framework to help you decide which events to attend this year, here is a short list of the conferences that I or Steve Banker typically attend, often as speakers
Vendor Conferences (note: all vendors below are ARC clients)Descartes Systems Group: Evolution 2012, details TBD (held in early Nov. in 2011)JDA Software: Focus 2012, April 29-May 2 in Las Vegas, NVLeanLogistics: LeanLogistics ClientConnect, details TBD (held in September in 2011)Manhattan Associates: Momentum 2012, May 6-9 in Orlando, FLMercuryGate: MercuryGate 2012 User Conference, Sept. 10-12, New Orleans, LAOracle: Oracle OpenWorld 2012, September 30-October 4 in San Francisco, CARedPrairie: RedShift 2012, May 7-10, Hollywood, FLSAP: SAPPHIRE NOW 2012, May 14-16 in Orlando, FLTransplace: Shipper Symposium, May 8-10, Scottsdale, AzIndustry ConferencesCouncil of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) Annual Global Conference, September 30-October 3 in Atlanta, GA
The Logistics & Supply Chain Forum, June 3-5 in Miami, FL and November 11-13 in Scottsdale, AZ
RILA Logistics Conference, February 19-22 in Dallas, TX
Eyefortransport 9th 3PL Summit, June 18-20 in Chicago, ILWarehousing Education and Research Council (WERC) Conference, May 6-9 in Atlanta, GA
And coming up on February 8th, you cant miss the Supply Chain Integrity and Brand Protection session as part of ARCs 16th Annual World Industry Forum in Orlando, FL. The session will focus on traceability and feature high-level speakers from Johnson & Johnson, Dell, and Bayer CropScience
Are there other events you would recommend? Post a comment and let us know
And dont forget, take 30 seconds to let us know which supply chain executive(s) you would invite to dinner to pick their brain on industry topics.
