Why CSCMP EDGE Conference is So Important

 Last week I spent most of my time at the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) Edge conference in Orlando Florida. Just a few hours into the first night and I remembered why coming to this conference is so important and has been such a great part of my supply chain career. I thought I would share some thoughts with you and hopefully the younger readers will realize your supply chain career is a life long journey. Getting to know the leaders of your generation will make you a leader. So, here goes:

1. Relationships: Yes, we all talk about this, however, this is truly very important and CSCMP has been there for my entire career. From the moment I started coming to this conference I met a number of people in different industries and different supply chain disciplines. From that point, we grew up together, learned together, celebrated together and helped each other. If I had not joined CSCMP early in my career and been intentional about coming to the conference year after year, I would not have known these people and my career would have been less fulfilling. 
   
   
2. Education: Continuous learning is must for any career and certainly supply chain is no exception. Because of my connection to CSCMP and attending conference sessions, I have been able to learn a lot of nuances about the discipline and I have used those learnings to hone my craft. I highly encourage anyone who attends to also attend the academic's conference on Saturday and Sunday. Quite frankly, that has been a highlight of my sessions and learning from the most brilliant academics makes me challenge what I think "I know". 
   
   
3. Time to Sharpen the Saw: I use my attendance at CSCMP EDGE to immerse myself in learning. That could be from the academic sessions, the practitioner sessions or the key-note and mega-sessions which challenge my thinking on many topics, not just supply chain. By listening and thinking deeply on the leadership topics, the supply chain topics, the business management topics and all the other items presented, I am able to use this time to truly execute what Stephen Covey called, "Sharpening the Saw". If you do not take time to do this periodically, just like a saw-blade, you will become dull and worn down. CSCMP EDGE is the perfect place to rededicate yourself to this discipline. 
   
   
4. Learn what is new: The vendor portion is truly world class. By walking the show and being disciplined about making sure you visit suppliers and interact with them, you learn what is new and interesting. My advice is to plan this out and plan your interactions. Learn and engage. You will be better for it. 

Overall, I just cannot imagine being in this discipline and not interacting at CSCMP Edge every year. Thank you to the CSCMP staff and all the volunteers who helped with the conference and worked tirelessly to make it such a great event. 

I leave you with a few pictures of my participation this year on two great panels. One on X-Shoring, Hosted by Alan Amling of University of Tennessee and the other on Meaningful Employment Environments hosted by Trail Paths founder, Robert Martichenko.