'The good, the bad and everything else in between...' - tell us, says Keynote forum sponsor

As supply chains become increasingly more complex and carbon emission and inventory optimisation now assume more importance than ever before as critical 'make-or-break' factors, a call has gone out to supply chain and optimisation professionals to share their front-line experiences at a keynote forum set to attract a worldwide audience.

Sponsored by software developer and consultant Barloworld Optimus, the 6th annual forum - 're-christened' Supply Chain Planning Forum so as to broaden the appeal to include planners as well as modellers - has become a 'must-see' event for all key players in supply chain development and operation.

Scheduled for 1 October, the event is set to provide a platform for supply chain managers and executives in all sectors to pass-on the insights, achievements, lessons and results of their supply chain modelling experiences to an audience of like-minded professionals - likely to include representatives of some of the world's biggest commercial names. Fraser Ironside, Barloworld Optimus' Global Business Development Director and host of the Forum, says that everybody who's anybody in logistics and optimisation will gain from what's on offer during the course of the day - whichever side of the podium they're standing, and that presenters will find a receptive audience of supply chain directors, managers and analysts, alongside representatives of 3PLs, consultancies, and companies from both manufacturing and retail sectors.

As such, he said, it's a useful way of opening up valuable two-way dialogue with key movers in supply chain modelling and planning. But, he added, ultimate success hinges on the quality and variety of the presentations, and in addition to a number of high-profile companies already pencilled-in to make presentations at this year's Forum, he's keen to extend the invitation 'to any company with a good tale to tell'. "The good, the bad and everything else in between:  we and an audience of up to a hundred decision-makers all want to hear about how problems were solved, how a solution was implemented, or how new systems or technology were installed and managed ... What went wrong is often as important as what went right, while sharing your experiences with other supply chain modellers holds the prospect of all manner of useful spin-offs."

 Representatives from companies including Premier Foods, DHL Exel Supply Chain, CEVA Logistics, University of the West of England and Unipart have all made presentations at past Forums. Papers are welcomed from users, consultants and vendors, and would-be speakers are invited to contact Barloworld Optimus' Head of Marketing and Customer Relations Laura Milusauskaite in the first place with an abstract containing an overview of the proposed topic, and introducing the proposed speaker. In addition to telling their firms' success stories in 45-minute presentations, speakers will also be promoted to the contact base of other sponsors ahead of the event and given the opportunity to promote their companies in other ways.

"Giving effective presentations is an important skill, and sharing your experiences with other supply chain modellers is a very useful experience" says Laura Milusauskaite:  "...there is nothing like presenting a paper on a specialist topic to reinforce your understanding of the subject". By presenting a paper, speakers can attend the high-profile day-long event for free, and Barloworld Optimus is also prepared to extend free assistance in preparing presentations. With carbon emissions modelling ranking high as another key driver to commercial success - and thus viewed as a prime topic for discussion - the company also says that choice of the Forum's location has not been left to chance, either...

Ardencote Manor near Warwick recently became the first winner of Warwickshire County Council's Environmental Certificate after a series of moves to reduce its environmental impact including waste minimisation, recycling, steps to reduce energy, water conservation and tree planting to facilitate their carbon off-set aspirations. Abstract Submission Forms are available on the Barloworld Optimus website (www.barloworldoptimus.co.uk), by e-mail (lauram@barloworldoptimus.co.uk) or by direct contact on 01564 731212, and would-be speakers are asked to contact Barloworld Optimus without delay as the selection process is expected to take several weeks.