 Recently, six of our students attended the APICS International Conference & Expo in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The theme this year was “Global Ability.” The main speaker was Jason Jennings, author of It’s Not The Big That Eat The Small – It’s The Fast That Eat The Slow; Less Is More—Think BIG, Act Small; and Hit The Ground Running—A Manual For New Leaders. He discussed secrets from the world’s best leaders and companies.
Along with the General Sessions, there were six Learning Paths that included: Lean, Global Supply Chain, Basics of Operations Management, Demand Management, Forecasting & Sales & Operations Planning, Professional Advancement and Special-Interest Topics. Special events included the 2nd Annual World Café, where attendees participated in three discussions that helped to develop an understanding for others while having your option heard, a Town Hall Meeting with the APICS Leadership, and a viewing of the film Manufactured Landscapes, a documentary on the world and work of artist Edward Burtynsky.
Although we all attended the conference together, it impacted us in different ways…
"I really enjoyed my time in Toronto for the APICS International Conference and Expo. This was my second year participating in the conference and once again it was a great experience. I was able to attend a number of different sessions ranging from ‘Global Supply Chain’ to ‘Lean Manufacturing.’ However, my preferred session spoke about sustainability in Frito Lay’s supply chain. It was great to see and hear what a leading company is doing with regard to sustainability. In all, the conference allowed to me to learn about some of the trends in the industry. There were examples of best practices, innovation, and mitigation across all aspects of supply chain management. It was a privilege to be able to partake in such a great conference. I would certainly recommend that any person whether a professional or a student attend the conference if given a chance!" - Bernardo Aguiar, Student |
"It is a unique opportunity for students to attend a professional event where industry leaders present on best practice organizations and strategies. Although this was a professional conference, sessions and activities were designed to make the experience valuable for students. My typical day at the conference consisted of attending sessions, such as, ‘How to be indispensible in the job market,’ “Networking with professionals in the operations field,’ and discussing goals and objectives with my mentor at an evening dinner. I am confident those who attended the conference walked away with information and tools that will give them an edge in the classroom, job interview, internship, or full time position."- Igor Nemirovskiy, Student |
"The conference in Toronto was my first big event with APICS and I really enjoyed it. I learned a lot about different approaches and technology that companies are implementing to increase the efficiency of their operations. There was great emphasis on sustainability which I found very interesting. I really enjoyed the roundtable discussions because there was a great opportunity to network and discuss topics vital to supply chain management today. The mentor program is very helpful because it gives you an opportunity to ask a seasoned APICS member any questions you may have about the conference or APICS in general. I learned a lot about the CPIM from Bruce, and I am planning on starting the first module this semester. Overall, my first conference was a great experience; I wish I had been involved with APICS earlier in my college career so I could have attended more conferences!" - Lauren Whitaker, Student |
Karin Mowery concludes…
Through this experience, I was paired with a mentor who helped to increase my knowledge of APICS and provided me with advice for my future careers. I was able to sit in on sessions that helped to increase my understanding of creating sustainability within the Operations Department of organizations, and I learned how companies’ operations are benefiting during this tough economic time. I left the conference with some new friends and contacts for future questions. I am truly grateful for this opportunity. |
