European Conference - SMI Global Sourcing Summit

Add comment October 24th, 2006 David Bush - Iasta

I am always on the prowl for good conferences because, frankly, I see so few that are worth the money for both exhibitors and attendees to justify the value. I came across this one last week which was highlighted in European Leaders in Procurement. In the US, the annual Institute of Supply Management conference, is the best because of the affordability and size. It also has a very diverse group of solutions and brings extra attendees in with the lure of certification testing. Vendors populate the floor nicely because the ISM does not try to jam the companies for $20,000. Europe however, has very few good conferences on supply management. I believe this is due to the fragmented nature of geography and the isolation of small individual groups of sourcing professionals.

Specifically, this conference is sponsored by the Supply Institute in Germany. It is very focused on LCCS and is actually being held in Shanghai - China. This does not exactly meet my personal requirements for affordability or general supply management but I will keep an eye on this group.

Memo to Europe…why not band together each country’s largest membership groups and have a rotating uber-conference like the World Cup of Sourcing? Each group would compete against each other to outdo the last and put on a great event that offers many different types of learning. It will work if some one would take the lead and try to have something useful outside of the UK.

Entry Filed under: General, Global Supply Issues/Risk, Supply Management Best Practices, Technology