Objective
This two-day symposium will outline recent research on critical supply chain issues, and discuss solutions adopted by industry leaders and academic experts. In addition to presentations of competitively-selected academic papers and practitioner presentations, the program will include keynote addresses by leaders in the field, concurrent sessions on the latest in supply chain research and applications, and stimulating panel discussions by experts in the field. Experience with previous symposia have been highly successful, resulting in an enthusiastic reception by participants. We intend to re-create this atmosphere with this seventh annual event.

Context
Supply Chain Management (SCM) is the process of strategically managing flows of goods, services and knowledge, along with relationships within and among organizations, to realize greater economic value through:

• Supporting enterprise strategic objectives
• Contributing to the achievement of strategic competitiveness of the enterprise
• Contributing to the enhancement of the competitive advantage of the enterprise
• Enhancing customer satisfaction

Efficient and effective supply chain management assists an organization in getting the right goods and services to the place needed at the right time, in the proper quantity and at an acceptable cost. For optimal performance and improved competitiveness, this requires constant feedback from, and coordination with, every link in the supply chain.

Recent advances in supply chain technological support, process design and management strategies have created an increasingly complex set of administrative, technological and organizational issues that must be resolved if they are to lead to competitive advantage. The Seventh Annual International Symposium on Supply Chain Management, to be held in Toronto, on October 28 – 30, 2009, will bring together practitioners from public and private sectors and academic researchers in a lively exchange of information and experiences that highlights today’s best practices and innovations in technological products, organization and management, pointing the way to improved competitiveness.

Goals of the Symposium

• To improve the understanding of how best to transform supply chains and their associated activities, thus enhancing the competitiveness of business, government and not-for-profit institutions
• To enhance interactions among supply chain management practitioners and researchers, creating permanent networking opportunities
• To showcase research strengths in supply chain management and transformation, and to encourage the corporate community to take advantage of these strengths

Who Should Attend?
Researchers interested in state-of-the-art research and applications in SCM will benefit from exposure to practitioners and researchers alike. CEOs, CIOs, middle management and other supply chain professionals who are responsible for supply chain implementation and operation will benefit from exposure to the concepts and ideas that will be presented at the symposium.

Why Your Registration Will Be a Wise Investment
For presenters, as practitioners and researchers, you are focused on improving competitiveness through process changes and advances in the efficiency and productivity of SCM. This symposium provides the forum for highlighting your experiences and findings, and for nurturing some great contacts.

For delegates, if your organization is looking for ways to transform its organization and execution of SCM, this symposium may give you ideas to help you make those changes. You will meet others with similar interests, and through networking will build permanent relationships.

PMAC members are eligible for C.P.P. maintenance credits. Contact your Provincial Institute for details.