Canada's largest gathering of supply chain professionals takes place June<br>9-11 in Regina

TORONTO, April 8 /CNW/ - The largest annual conference for supply chain management professionals in Canada, the National Conference of the Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC) takes place in Regina, Saskatchewan, June 9-11, 2010. Bringing together hundreds of leaders in procurement, operations and logistics from across the country, the conference features four keynote speakers, more than 20 education sessions and a trade show of top suppliers.

"Winds of Change is the theme for this year and change is a theme that runs throughout the conference," said PMAC president Bob Dye. "We're looking at how organizations can reduce costs and drive innovation as our economy begins to recover. Sustainable supply chain management is also in focus with the profession examining its growing environmental and social responsibilities."

Education sessions at the conference address the latest issues and developments in supply chain management, including:

    
    -   Pandemic preparedness - protecting your supply chain from disaster
    -   Supplier diversity - ensuring Aboriginal, minority and women-owned
        business have equal access to purchasing opportunities
    -   Green procurement - how cheaper and easier access to green products
        and technology is changing how we buy
    -   Lean supply chain management - how to apply the 'Toyota'
        manufacturing principles today
    -   Procurement law and ethics - avoiding illegal activities from bribe
        requests to patent infringement
    -   Global sourcing - identifying strategic sourcing opportunities in
        emerging markets
    -   Supplier development - a new competence that is providing a
        competitive advantage to agile companies
    

Case studies from national and global leaders will be presented by Wal-Mart, Ford Canada, City of Calgary, the RCMP, Celestica, Federal Procurement Ombudsman and Conexus Credit Union. New this year, PMAC has added Roundtable Discussions as a forum for interactive and in-depth learning. Delegates can also choose to take part in one of two pre-conference seminars: Negotiation Master Class or Procurement Law and Contract Management.

"You'll find a number of Saskatchewan success stories as part of the conference," said 2010 National Conference chair Bernice Ellis, C.P.P., procurement services, Advance Engineered Products Ltd. in Regina. "Our province is expected to lead the country in growth in 2010. We've got a new record population and stellar job creation. We invite our supply chain colleagues from across Canada to come and experience the boom first-hand."

Four keynote speakers have been confirmed for 2010:

    
    -   Futurist Jim Bottomley will discuss trend convergence and how
        managers can lead change. Trend convergence is the analysis of
        multiple trend categories, such as demographic, social and
        technological, to anticipate changes that are likely to impact future
        planning.

    -   Saskatchewan Roughriders CEO Jim Hopson, recognized as one of the
        most influential men in the province by Saskatchewan Business
        magazine, will speak about the strategies he has employed to turn
        around the fortunes of the franchise. Since Hopson took over, the
        team has never missed the playoffs and even won a Grey Cup.

    -   Influence and persuasion expert and Canada's only certified provider
        of the Principles of Persuasion workshop Heath Slawner will reveal
        ethical influence tactics to delegates. His unique evidence-based
        presentation draws on six scientifically-proven persuasion principles
        for getting your requests approved more often.

    -   Former Saskatchewan Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, speaker and
        author Darci Lang will offer success strategies based on her "focus
        on the 90%" philosophy. Lang attributes her own success as an
        entrepreneur to this philosophy and shares personal examples.
    

Three evening networking events are planned for the conference. On the opening night, delegates are transported to a working ranch and given the "prairie cowboy" experience. A visit to the RCMP Heritage Centre on the second night introduces them to the history of the RCMP. The final night is a celebration of supply chain excellence as the PMAC Awards of Distinction are presented at the Board Chair Gala.

Past PMAC National Conference delegate Geoffrey Matte, C.P.P., director of purchasing at Westward Industries Ltd. in St. Francois Xavier, Manitoba, said he values the networking opportunities at the conference. "Our challenges in supply chain management are shared and it's good to meet with others and trade experiences in solving problems."

About PMAC

The Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC) is the leading professional association in Canada for supply chain management professionals. With more than 40,000 members and program participants working in all sectors of the Canadian economy, PMAC is the principal source of training, education and professional development for supply chain management professionals in Canada. The highest achievement in professional supply chain management education in Canada is the Certified Professional Purchaser (C.P.P.) designation. www.pmac.ca