Successful Decisionmaking — Sharing Ideas from Blink
Malcolm Gladwell has an incomparable gift for generating value by interpreting groundbreaking research in psychology, sociology and neurology and applying it to business. His provocative ideas are taking the business world by storm. With his first book, Gladwell embedded the concept of The Tipping Point in our everyday vocabulary and gave organizations new tools for understanding how and why change happens and how to create positive epidemics of ideas and behavior. In Blink, he analyzes first impressions — the judgments we make unconsciously and instinctively — and he explores how we can master this important aspect of successful decisionmaking. Gladwell's illuminating way of looking at snap judgments will provide inspiration and tools for you to better develop and execute a successful supply chain.

An Afternoon With Stanley Bing
Stanley Bing's satirical take on the corporate environment is as insightful as it is humorous. With topics derived from a long and extremely successful career inside corporate America, Bing offers a unique perspective on the role of the warrior in the contemporary workplace. He draws on the observations made during his rise in the corporate culture and not only teaches employees to think outside the box, but teaches executives how to manage this type of thinking, as well. Proving that creativity is rewarded in corporate America, his unique viewpoint benefits both executives and the employees working to achieve that level. With Bing's distinctive viewpoint, you not only learn how to get ahead in business, but laugh while you are doing it. Bing is the author of numerous best-sellers, including What Would Machiavelli Do?, Sun Tzu Was A Sissy and Throwing the Elephant: Zen and the Art of Managing Up. His long-running column has appeared in Esquire magazine and then Fortune for the past 20 years.

Discover insights into the economy that you can apply in your business environment. Norbert J. Ore, C.P.M., chair of the ISM Manufacturing Business Survey Committee; and group director, strategic sourcing and procurement, Georgia-Pacific Corporation, releases the committee’s Manufacturing Semiannual Economic Forecast. Anthony S. Nieves, C.P.M., CFPM, chair of the ISM Non-Manufacturing Business Survey Committee; and senior vice president — supply management, Hilton Hotels Corporation, releases the committee’s Non-Manufacturing Semiannual Economic Forecast.

Featured speakers include two of the nation's most renowned economists:

John Silvia, Ph.D. is chief economist for Wachovia Corporation, a leading provider of financial services throughout the East Coast and the nation. Prior to joining Wachovia in 2002, Silvia worked on Capitol Hill as senior economist for the U.S. Senate Joint Economic Committee and chief economist for the U.S. Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. He served as chief economist of Kemper Funds and managing director of Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. Silvia is a member of the Blue Chip Panel of Economic Forecasters and on an informal advisory group for the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.

R. Keith Schwer, Ph.D. is director of The Center for Business and Economic Research and a member of the UNLV Economics Department faculty. Specializing in economic impact analysis, econometric modeling, feasibility analysis and survey research, Schwer is recognized as an authority on the business and economic environment of Las Vegas, the state of Nevada and the region. He manages the annual Las Vegas Perspective survey, serves on numerous state and local advisory boards, and acts as a resource person for television, radio and print media. He has published widely in such outlets as the Annals of Regional Science, the Journal of Applied Economics and the Review of Regional Studies.

Succeeding in a Dynamic World: Supply Management in the Decade Ahead
In our uncertain and dynamic marketplace, supply management executives ask, "What should my organization be doing now to prepare for tomorrow?" Using results from a 2006-07 global research study sponsored by CAPS Research, A.T. Kearney and ISM, this presentation helps answer that question. Laudicina, author of the acclaimed book, World Out of Balance, identifies and interprets trends shaping tomorrow's business strategies and explains how these changing conditions will affect how organizations develop, manage and use supply relationships to manage risk and deliver increased value and competitiveness. He also provides insight into how executives should build their organizations with the critical talent needed to succeed in a world that demands much more from supply management.

Importance of Social Responsibility and Community Involvement
No one defies stereotypes, generalizations or clichés more than Dr. Bertice Berry. A teacher told Berry that she was "not college material." Fortunately, another teacher believed in her and she applied to several colleges not knowing how she would pay the tuition. The day her application arrived at Jacksonville University, a wealthy benefactor called the admissions department looking for a potential student "who could swim if they had the right backing," and might sink without it. She went on to earn a Ph.D. in sociology from Kent State University and became one of the most popular teachers there. She uses humor to address such difficult subjects as racism and sexism and was named the national Comedian of the Year for four years running. She is the best-selling author of an inspirational memoir, I'm on My Way, But Your Foot Is on My Head, "When you walk with purpose," says Berry, "you collide with destiny!"