This fall, APICS is sponsoring an event that will prove instrumental in enhancing careers — the 1998 APICS International Conference and Exposition (APICS '98), Nov. 1-4, in Nashville, Tenn.

With the theme "Building Your Knowledge Chain for Success," APICS '98 is designed to provide education links to career success with: solutions to business problems, career enhancement, professional education and training, state-of-the-art exhibits, industry updates and networking opportunities. The 1998 APICS conference team has designed a customer-driven program that will make attendees more valuable to their companies, enable them to better serve their customers and enhance their careers.

Educational Sessions
APICS '98 is the product of attendee surveys, informal interviews and a well-organized conference team that is current on the latest resource management trends. APICS' customers drove the selection of topics and presentations, with the conference team receiving more than 3,500 customer inputs from five different surveys. This feedback enabled the team to offer 165 value-added educational sessions organized into 11 functional topics or "flights." The flight categories include the supply chain, information technology, operations, professional survival skills, managing change, customer-driven strategies and interactive learning. Individual sessions focus on such topics as planning in the areas of sales and operations, creating a Web site, and determining the value of a customer's business and reaching its potential with supply capacity capabilities. At least 40 percent of the sessions can be categorized as "how-to"; 25 percent are basic concepts; 20 percent are best practices/case studies; and 15 percent are interactive workshops.

World-Class Organization Presenters
One of the greatest attributes of the conference is that some of the leading companies in the world consider the educational sessions as the perfect venue to present their experiences through "hands-on" case studies. How can one not learn from representatives from world-class organizations including Honda of America; AlliedSignal; Caterpillar Inc.; Lucent Technologies; Eli Lilly & Co.; Hewlett-Packard; Harley-Davidson Motor Co.; Eastman Kodak; Chrysler Corp.; Hughes Aircraft; Welch's Inc.; and Quaker Oats?

General Session Speakers
For the APICS '98 general sessions, the society recruited some of the nation's most informative and entertaining speakers.

• Susan RoAne is a networking expert whose presentation will give attendees insight into how to communicate and network for career enhancement. She will address the conference on Sunday, Nov. 1.

• Lou Holtz is known best as a legendary college football coach, most prominently with the University of Notre Dame. Holtz had a reputation as a man who could motivate people to exceed expectations. The Notre Dame program had been down for some time; but within three years of becoming head coach, Holtz led the Fighting Irish to the national championship. When he addresses the conference on Monday, Nov. 2, he'll motivate all to reach for the brass ring.

• Lamar Alexander has served as U.S. education secretary, governor of Tennessee and president of the University of Tennessee. He brings a unique perspective to the issue of education that will challenge attendees with the question: "Are We Ready?" to face the new century. Alexander addresses the conference on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

• As a consultant, author and producer and writer of the "Discovering the Future" video series, Joel Barker is a change-management expert who helps organizations prepare for the future. He will address the conference on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

Exposition Hall
The exposition hall is always a highlight of the APICS conference and as of March 1, more than 80 percent of the exhibit space had been sold to 150-plus exhibitors. Exhibits feature the latest technology and advanced products in more than 32 categories, and an Internet Pavilion with instant access to resource management information on the World Wide Web.

Networking Opportunities
I believe the most important characteristic shared by all successful people is the ability to create and nurture a network of contacts. APICS '98 will provide attendees with sessions on networking techniques; more than 15 hours of networking opportunities between educational sessions, exhibits and activities; and 23 interactive sessions and workshops.

Special Events and Nashville
No question, APICS '98 is first and foremost a learning event. In addition to the general and educational sessions, APICS has arranged for plant tours of the Gibson Guitar Corp. and Saturn Car Corp. These tours will offer attendees the opportunity to see two of the most innovative manufacturing facilities in the United States.

Relaxation also is a key part of the conference experience for attendees, and this year is no different. APICS '98 will feature a 25th anniversary of the Certified in Production and Inventory Management program, the annual APICS banquet and, of course, Nashville itself.

Throughout the world the name "Nashville" brings a smile of understanding because of its unique music focus. Nashville's maternal relationship to country music has given birth to special attractions including The Nashville Palace, Music Row, Country Music Hall of Fame, Wildhorse Saloon (where APICS has arranged for a special evening reserved for conference attendees) and the Opryland Hotel and Convention Center.

The Opryland Hotel and Convention Center is the world's largest combined complex. It blends Southern hospitality with Colonial Williamsburg charm, with 15 restaurants, more than 30 retail shops, 2,883 hotel rooms and more than nine acres of indoor gardens.

The place to be
Becoming and remaining successful is a never-ending process. Any knowledge acquired today has a value, at that moment, proportional to the skills required to put it to use. I've been attending APICS conferences for more than 30 years and have served on more teams than I ever could remember. One thing I'm sure of is that APICS '98 will provide attendees the knowledge and skills to enhance careers today, and tomorrow. I look forward to seeing you all in Nashville on Nov. 1.

Copyright © 2020 by APICS — The Educational Society for Resource Management. All rights reserved.

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