CIPS announces agenda for second annual Middle East conference

Following the very successful e-Sourcing and e-Procurement Conference in May 2006, the second CIPS Middle East conference- 'The Winning Agenda - Procurement & Supply Inspiring Change' is expected to break new ground in the region as the leading forum for supply and procurement professionals to debate the latest issues affecting the profession, a profession critical to supporting the pace of growth and future ambitions of organizations in the region.

The two-day programme will involve panel discussions, case studies and workshops that are specifically tailored to both the public and private sectors and the whole procurement and commercial team. After the main conference, there will also be events on 23 October: 'The Procurement Cycle Workshop' and 'The MasterClass Executive Decisions'.

Speaking about the importance of this event, Ken James, Chief Executive Officer of CIPS, said:

"We understand that value and profitability are important ingredients of any successful business. This conference is uniquely designed to help participants understand the key ways in which procurement can influence and lead the success of a company. Our membership in the Middle East is growing at a phenomenal rate and we are seeing a growing number of entrants from the region for our professional qualifications, demonstrating the increasing professionalism of the industry here."

Ken James will join Dr Richard Russill and Saeed Mohammed, senior vice-president of procurement and logistics from Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, for a panel discussion on procurement challenges, that will in particular examine how to achieve recognition and influence across the whole business.

Another CIPS speaker is Gerard Chick, head of knowledge management, whose workshop, "Using knowledge management concepts", will define organisational knowledge and show how inter-organisational relationships play an important role in effective knowledge management, Chick will also outline the processes necessary for success, as well as helping delegates to identify risks inherent in innovation.

"We are pleased to announce the second annual CIPS Middle East conference and look forward to meeting participants from the region, and to showing them the full potential of unlocking professional procurement and supply." said Ken James.