Every fall, the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) hosts the premier supply chain event known as the EDGE Conference. This event takes place over three days and, as the most exceptional gathering of supply chain professionals in the world, provides a venue for these individuals to connect, collaborate, and network across over 100 informational sessions with timely, rich content.
With over 3,000 attendees present and sessions that span every aspect of supply chain management, there is something for every level and every discipline. CSCMP holds session leaders and participants to the highest educational standards. The sessions are not infomercials, so you can expect to learn from leading experts with well-researched content in a forum that will accelerate your success in several areas, including:
- Emerging trends,
- The global supply chain,
- Leadership and talent development,
- Network planning and optimization,
- Order fulfillment and customer service,
- Risk mitigation,
- Inventory planning, and
- Technological innovation.
CSCMP also knows it’s important to find the best providers and products for your company, which is why the exhibit hall will once again be packed this year. Critical suppliers to the supply chain ecosystem are ready to demonstrate their products, services, and technologies in an environment that enables attendees to optimize time and selection. Over 175 vendors will be present and experts will be there to answer any questions you might have. Hopefully you will be able to find the perfect fit for your company.
Startup Alley is a designated area specifically for startup companies. Companies must be in one of these categories to participate:
- Supplier startups,
- Suppliers looking for new acquisitions and affiliations,
- Shippers,
- Venture capitalists, and
- Academia.
Startup Alley serves as an environment where participants can collaborate, discuss, and learn new solutions to supply chain disruptions.
Ask the Expert is a new feature at EDGE. Here, you will have the opportunity to learn and discuss any solutions to current disruptions and demands in the supply chain industry. Each highly interactive session will consist of a 30-minute panel discussion followed by a Q&A.
Lastly, we have added the Innovation Demo Sessions, where exhibitors and sponsors have 15 minutes to present their innovations, followed by a five-minute Q&A session. Up to 12 of these 20-minute sessions will be scheduled, and they will be fairly similar to the format of “Shark Tank.”
And the EDGE Conference would not be complete without some good old-fashioned networking. CSCMP has always been known for the community it brings together. Whether it’s at EDGE or at the local level, members find ample opportunities to connect, collaborate, and share best practices. Whatever supply chain challenges you face, odds are that someone else has encountered a similar supply chain challenge and will be happy to share their experience.
As Amy Proctor, CSCMP’s 2023 EDGE Conference planning committee chair says, “There is no better place to meet, learn, and network with the industry’s best and brightest.” She adds, “No matter what stage of your career or what aspect of the supply chain you are responsible for, this is an amazing opportunity for the best to get better.”
I look forward to seeing all of you at CSCMP’s 2023 EDGE conference, October 1–4 in Kissimmee!
