Why we matter

As we look back on the last 50 years, it's clear that as an organization we have come a long way: from the National Council of Physical Distribution Management, to the Council of Logistics Management, to what we are today—the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP). Like the discipline of supply chain management itself, our organization has evolved and grown to play an increasingly prominent role in global business.

We can say the same about our members, the supply chain professionals who are making a difference every day in dozens of countries around the world. Think about it—as supply chain professionals, we have an impact not only on the companies we serve but also on the economies of the countries and continents we connect. We help governments achieve their goals of competitiveness and infrastructure development. And we make a positive difference for people around the world by providing consumers with the goods they need to live and prosper.

Our ideas and efforts help companies become more efficient and effective, not only by lowering their costs but also by helping them to grow revenue and expand market share. We do this by moving raw materials, parts, and finished goods among all of the participants in the supply chain, from our suppliers' suppliers to our customers' customers. We're the ones who connect functional areas to create a seamless supply chain, and we're doing it better than ever before.

But we do much more than move goods and materials. We also connect individuals who support each other through the "family" that we call CSCMP. We help one another to become a greater influence in our communities and much more important contributors to our companies' success.

We're also the ones who are called upon when disaster strikes in a volatile world that's been rocked by uprisings and natural disasters. We're the ones top management turns to for assistance in dealing with unforeseen events. We're the risk managers. Supply chain professionals today can mitigate the impacts of both natural and manmade supply chain disruptions.

As a result, our work has earned us recognition in boardrooms and among shareholders. Today, senior supply chain executives not only report to CEOs, they become CEOs.

Simply put, supply chain and logistics professionals matter.

That's why CSCMP remains a critically important resource for supply chain professionals who want to be the leaders in their companies and in their communities. It's also why we invite you to gather with your fellow leaders from around the world for cutting-edge education and networking opportunities you won't find anywhere else, at CSCMP's Annual Global Conference, September 30 through October 3 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. We look forward to seeing you there!