Canada's largest supply chain event takes place June 3-5 in Quebec City

TORONTO - Five Hundred of Canada's leading supply chain management professionals will be at the 84th Annual Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC) National Conference, June 3 - 5, 2009, in Quebec City, as they learn how to steer their organizations through these uncertain economic times.

The largest event of its kind in Canada for supply chain professionals, the PMAC National Conference combines four extraordinary keynote speakers, 25 education sessions, three networking events and a sponsor showcase of top suppliers.

"Corporations are increasingly turning to their supply chain managers to help them weather the current economic downturn," says Bob Dye, PMAC President. "Therefore, supply chain professionals need to keep themselves informed of the latest trends and best practices, and be ready to act. The conference helps prepare them by providing the knowledge and skills needed to rise to any challenge."

Mitigating supplier risk, increasing profitability by buying on total cost, developing green and sustainable supply chains, managing intercultural issues in global supply chains and developing negotiation skills are just some of the in-demand topics covered at the conference.

More highlights of the conference include:

- Two of Canada's top economists, Peter Hall, vice-president and chief economist, Export Development Canada and Douglas Porter, CFA, deputy chief economist and managing director, BMO Capital Markets, lead an important session, Thursday June 4, 3:15 pm - 4:15 pm, that addresses the state of the economy and their predictions for the coming months.

- Digital media expert, Mitch Joel, delivers a keynote address, Thursday June 4, 1:45 pm - 2:45 pm, on how social media and Web 2.0 are changing the way we do business. Joel is a highly sought after speaker who has shared a stage with the likes of former U.S. President Bill Clinton and talk-show host Dr. Phil.

- Renowned author, instructor and procurement lawyer, Paul Emanuelli leads a comprehensive pre-conference seminar on the drafting of tenders and RFPs, Wednesday June 3, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, that features innovative concepts and leading case studies from his groundbreaking new drafting manual, The Laws of Precision Drafting: A Handbook For Tenders and RFPs.

- Director of procurement and materials management for WestJet Airlines, Patrick O'Reilly, presents a case study, Friday June 5, 10:00 am - 11:00 am, explaining how WestJet leveraged strategic partnerships to enhance its supply chain and directly improve the customer experience for its passengers.

- Cirque du Soleil's vice-president, procurement, building services and workshops, Charles Décarie, presents a keynote address, Thursday June 4, 8:30 am - 9:30 am, that speaks of the procurement challenges and demands faced by this worldwide corporate phenomenon, that is a truly made-in-Canada success story like no other.

- Product recalls are happening with greater frequency and Joseph Brick, CMA, national practice leader, trade and customs services, KPMG, and Jérôme Thirion, MBA, MMIS, DESS, national service leader, business effectiveness, KPMG, lead a session, Friday June 5, 11:10 am - 12:10 am, addressing the area of responsible purchasing and leading practices for managing recalls.

In addition, PMAC has also assembled supply chain leaders from companies such as Dell and Rona, to name a few, and top researchers in the field, among the roster of speakers and presenters. In line with the theme of this year's Conference, Making the Difference, the insight and knowledge presented by these experts will give participants immediate takeaways that they can quickly implement at their own organizations-and make a difference.

Networking events have been planned for all three nights of the conference to give attendees a chance to meet their peers and learn from each other in a relaxed environment.

Special musical guests are scheduled to perform at two of the networking events:

- Legendary Quebecois rock star Michel Pagliaro, the first Canadian artist to be awarded Gold Records in English and French, gives a private concert at the Conference Kick-Off event, Wednesday June 3, 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm.

- Double 2009 Juno Award nominees, The Lost Fingers, perform their jazzed-up renditions of 80s hits by Michael Jackson, George Michael, Samantha Fox and more, Friday June 5, 6:00 pm - 1:00 am, at the Board Chair Gala event.

Jean-François Rivard, C.P.P., 2009 PMAC National Conference chair, says, "I know that attendees will find that the conference will represent the best investment they'll have made for their career in 2009."

The Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC) is the leading professional association in Canada for supply chain management professionals. With more than 40,000 members and program participants working in all sectors of the Canadian economy, PMAC is the principal source of training, education and professional development for supply chain management professionals in Canada. The highest achievement in professional supply chain management education in Canada is the Certified Professional Purchaser (C.P.P.) designation. www.pmac.ca.