Welcome to Atlanta and to the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) 2017 EDGE Supply Chain Conference. For the next three and a half days, you and over 3,000 of your peers from all over the world—leading supply chain authorities, practitioners, and thought leaders—will take part in the most innovative and exciting supply chain experience in the world.
This year's conference will include 18 educational tracks, 100-plus sessions, exhibits from leading service and technology providers, and more than 25 hours of networking time. Sessions will investigate some of the top issues and trends currently facing today's supply chain managers, such as the importance of supply chain management in the C-suite, omnichannel analytics, big data, "smart" machines and visualization, the talent gap, and millennials in the workforce. Education tracks will explore topics as diverse as order fulfillment and customer service, manufacturing and service operations, supply chain leadership, transportation and logistics, and current research and surveys.
You'll have the opportunity to hear from inspirational general-session speakers, such as Matthew Luhn, acclaimed Pixar Animation Studios storyteller and speaker; Mary "Missy" Cummings, professor at Duke University and director of the Humans and Autonomy Laboratory; and Major MJ Hegar, a former Air National Guard pilot and author. The event will also feature an academic research symposium, an opportunity to volunteer for the "Rise Against Hunger" program, a "Women at Work" discussion, CSCMP's annual Roundtable and business meetings, and a Young Professionals reception.
We're also hosting the EDGE Supply Chain Exchange Exhibition—a real-time, fully integrated exhibit that will take you into a world of automated innovation and new technologies in product design and development, sourcing and procurement, demand planning and inventory management, manufacturing and material handling, transportation and fulfillment, and reverse logistics. This exhibit will take your educational experience to the next level of understanding and excellence.
In today's challenging economy, many companies are taking bold steps to position themselves for future success. These are the people you will meet and hear from at EDGE, CSCMP's annual conference. You will be able to build your professional network with a variety of unsurpassed networking opportunities we have created for you. The conference is an invaluable forum for developing the kinds of collaborative relationships that are key to successful supply chains in the new economy.
CSCMP recognizes the critical role that supply chain management professionals play in shaping the global marketplace of the 21st century. We understand that education is the foundation of continuous improvement and are confident that this conference will provide you with a broader, deeper vision of the profession, the opportunity to participate in relevant learning programs and networking activities, and the inspiration to enhance your personal and organizational development.
Here's to a great conference!
