The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) will organise the second annual CIPS Middle East conference on October 21 and 22 in Dubai.

“Following the very successful e-Sourcing and e-Procurement Conference in May 2006, the second CIPS Middle East conference- ‘The Winning Agenda – Procurement & Supply Inspiring Change’ is expected to break new ground in the region as the leading forum for supply and procurement professionals to debate the latest issues affecting the profession, a profession critical to supporting the pace of growth and future ambitions of organisations in the region,” said the institute in a statement.

The two-day programme will involve panel discussions, case studies and workshops that are specifically tailored to both the public and private sectors and the whole procurement and commercial team. After the main conference, there will also be events on October 23 - “The Procurement Cycle Workshop” and “The MasterClass Executive Decisions”.

“We understand that value and profitability are important ingredients of any successful business. This conference is uniquely designed to help participants understand the key ways in which procurement can influence and lead the success of a company. Our membership in the Middle East is growing at a phenomenal rate and we are seeing a growing number of entrants from the region for our professional qualifications, demonstrating the increasing professionalism of the industry here,” said CIPS chief executive officer Ken James.

Ken James will join Dr Richard Russill and Saeed Mohammed, senior vice-president of procurement and logistics from Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, for a panel discussion on procurement challenges, that will in particular examine how to achieve recognition and influence across the whole business.

Another CIPS speaker would be Gerard Chick, head of knowledge management, whose workshop, “Using knowledge management concepts”, will define organisational knowledge and show how inter-organisational relationships play an important role in effective knowledge management. Chick will also outline the processes necessary for success, as well as helping delegates to identify risks inherent in innovation.- TradeArabia News Service