FOR RELEASE: January 31, 2008

Media Contacts:
ISM Public Relations
Lindsey Yentes
800/888-6276, extension 3087
lyentes@ism.ws

Jean McHale
800/888-6276, extension 3143
jmchale@ism.ws

Program to offer in-depth discussion and relevant networking March 5-7,
2008 in Silver Spring, MD/Washington, D.C.

(Tempe, Ariz.) January 31, 2008 — Top executives in the supply management profession will meet March 5-7, 2008 for the Fifth Annual Black Executive Supply Management Summit. The program will be co-sponsored by the Arizona-based Institute for Supply Management™ (ISM) and Howard University in Washington, D.C.

Attendees will learn from top professionals in supply how to incorporate winning strategies in their daily routine to take home the skills to recognize, attract and retain the best talent for supply management leadership roles. The program will be a unique opportunity to connect with other professionals and discover tried and true secrets to success.

The program is presented for executives and managers in supply, with a special track for students enrolled in supply management degree programs. To ensure significant discussions and relevant networking, the target audience is top professionals in the supply management field.

General session topics include:

• Financial Strategies for Supply Management
• Beyond Benchmarks: Building Supply Capabilities for Business Strengths
• Reaching Out to Minority Suppliers
• Thinking Like a CFO
• Executive Perspectives
• Supply Management in the Decade Ahead
• Rising to the Challenges of Green Purchasing: A CPO's Perspective

Topics of concurrent sessions include:

• U.S. Postal Services' Integrated Air Strategy
• Executive Expectations and Talent Needed for Supplier Diversity

Student track session topics include:

• Identifying and Building Your Future in Supply Management
• The Hub Factor: Making Your Connections Count in a Diverse World

Additionally, the program will feature the 2008 Student Case Competition, where future leaders in the profession will bring new ideas to the table as they present their case work and compete for scholarships.

In support of its nondiscrimination policy, this ISM educational program is open to everyone. Proceeds from this program will be used for a scholarship fund to send students to the ISM 93rd Annual International Supply Management Conference and Educational Exhibit, May 4-7, 2008 in St. Louis. Register online or download the brochure at www.ism.ws. For additional program information, send inquiries to besms@ism.ws or call Lyndsey Ferro at 800/888-6276, extension 3044.

As the largest supply management institute in the world, the mission of Institute for Supply Management™ (ISM) is to lead supply management. By executing and extending its mission through education, research, standards of excellence, influence building and information dissemination — including the renowned monthly ISM Report On Business® — ISM continues to extend the global impact of supply management. ISM is proud to recognize professional excellence in supply management with awards such as the ISM R. Gene Richter Awards for Leadership and Innovation in Supply Management and the J. Shipman Gold Medal Award. ISM's membership base includes more than 40,000 supply management professionals in 75 countries. Supply management professionals are responsible for trillions of dollars in the purchases of products and services annually. ISM is a member of the International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management (IFPSM).

ISM defines supply management as the identification, acquisition, access, positioning and management of resources and related capabilities the organization needs or potentially needs in the attainment of its strategic objectives. Further, supply management is: future oriented, senior-management critical, strategic in relation to the competitive imperatives of the organization, and a significant contributor to marketplace intelligence and profitability. Components included under the supply management umbrella are: purchasing/procurement; strategic sourcing; logistics; quality; inventory control; materials management; warehousing; transportation/traffic/shipping; disposition/investment recovery; distribution; receiving; packaging; product/service development and manufacturing supervision.