Ringing in a new year

As we turn the page on 2021 and head into 2022, the pandemic is still front and center. Many supply chain companies and professionals may be wondering, “How can we combat another year of disruptions and uncertainty?” Yet history has shown that in times of seemingly insurmountable challenges, the supply chain industry is resilient, and I believe there is much to look forward to in the new year. 

Looking ahead, I see advancements in planning, sourcing, and logistics process and event management digitization rising right to the very top this year. Data will be the key to forecasting challenges and will also aid companies as they seek to combat sourcing disruptions and refine their logistics processes. 

Most importantly, however, will be the open communication among the supply chain leaders driving the changes needed to solve lingering challenges. Open dialogue, encouraging communication, and education are the objectives we seek to deliver within our membership and to the broader supply chain community. Here at CSCMP, we are working hard to offer new and exciting events, opportunities, and support this year.

In fact, our organization is already preparing for our 2022 Supply Chain EDGE Conference & Exhibition in Nashville, Tennessee. We are looking forward to hosting another great conference at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center September 18–21 and unveiling some new offerings to attendees. One new event on our agenda is “Startup Alley,” a networking opportunity right on the exhibition show floor designed specifically for startup companies. Here they will have the chance to come together in a collaborative environment and discuss innovative solutions to today’s pressing industry challenges. We are also planning to broaden our educational session offerings with new tracks on sourcing strategies, specialty supply chains, and sustainability. Registration is already open for EDGE 2022 and can be accessed at www.cscmpedge.org.

As is often the case, disruptions bring about exciting change, new innovations, and opportunities to make impactful improvements to our industry. While disruptions will continue, as our supply chains seeks to create balance over this next year, I hope the possibilities outweigh the worries. As a global supply chain community, now is the time to broaden our mission, tackle those challenges, and face what’s to come head on with renewed focus and determination.