Procurement Professional is the official publication of CIPS Australasia

NSW procurement professionals celebrate at Gala Dinner

08 Dec 2009

Surrounded by history at the iconic Powerhouse Museum to a live soundtrack of big band swing, the NSW procurement community simultaneously stepped back in time and looked into the future with the help of keynote speaker and futurist Craig Rispin on Friday November 27th when they gathered for the 2009 CIPSA NSW Gala Dinner.

The successful Gala Dinner, sponsored by Jigsaw Search, Fuji Xerox and Bean Media,  provided an opportunity for procurement professionals and their guests to celebrate Christmas and the year’s achievements, and to network with key people in the profession from major companies throughout Australia, at an evening of fine wine, food and entertainment.

The highlight of the night was the announcement of the CIPSA NSW Scholarship 2009 winner.  This scholarship supports a NSW CIPS Australia student to undertake further study that leads towards the MCIPS qualification and is open to all NSW CIPSA members.  Congratulations to this year’s winner, Lisa McGhee from McPhersons Consumer Products.

Speakers included Richard Hillberg from Jigsaw Search and Clive Bickerstaff from Fuji Xerox, who spoke about the past year and what the future holds for procurement in 2010.  Attendees then had the privilege of hearing from Craig Rispin, a business futurist and innovation expert with more than 20 years experience working with some of the most innovative companies in the world in the IT, consumer electronics, internet and broadcasting industries, which have literally created the future.  Craig’s areas of expertise are emerging business, people and technology trends, and how companies can profit from them.

Special mention must go to Sandra Keller, Group Procurement Manager for Ramsay Health Care, for her extended efforts in organising the event.