6th Annual raises the bar

18 Oct 2010

A record 850 delegates attended the 6th Annual CIPSA Conference at the new Crown Convention Centre in Melbourne.

The two-day event also included the largest speaking line-up ever assembled by CIPSA, including 10 keynote addresses and close to 30 seminar sessions. The seminars included a new stream in recognition of the growing number of public sector delegates.

Centred on the theme of “Managing Volatility”, the conference began with business journalist and commentator Robert Gottliebsen’s assessment of the current economic climate and the factors which will influence procurement environment in the months ahead.

Over the two days, delegates heard from practitioners from Woodside, George Weston Foods, the National Broadband Network, Defence Materiel Organisation, AngloAmerican and Santos as well as consultants from leading procurement advisory services, including Nicolas Reinecke, McKinsey’s global purchasing and supply chain expert.

CIPSA managing director Jonathan Dutton says the event was an enormous success, with the new venue providing a suitable backdrop for the high-level gathering. “This flagship event is the envy of CIPS globally, combining top-notch presenters from across the profession and from business,” he notes.

“The programme again combined hands-on practitioner insights, expert advisory advice and academic background. But the event also provided a fantastic networking opportunity and a chance to swap notes.”

Event organiser Nigel Wardropper notes that the dedicated Purchasing Exchange trade show also attracted record support. This year, more than 60 sponsors and exhibitors were on hand to showcase their goods and services.  “We had to move to a bigger venue to accommodate the growing interest in the event, and the record exhibitor participation certainly vindicated our move to the new Crown facility,” he says.

A full report on the 6th CIPSA Annual Conference will be published in the December edition of Procurement Professional.