Onward to Vision 2020

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As I write this column, we are deep into final preparations for the 2016 SCMAP Supply Chain Conference, which happens a week and a half from now. It is, as you can imagine, a very busy past few weeks for us. This is, after all, the organization’s flagship event.

 

Also, this is the most prestigious event in the Philippine supply chain industry. I don’t just say this as the guy in charge of marketing: this conference really is prestigious, considering the high caliber of speakers we have invited over the past years. In recent years our keynote speakers have included Senator Bam Aquino, former budget secretary Butch Abad and the Export Development Council’s Meneleo Carlos. We have had speakers who are at the top of their game, not just in supply chain, but also in business, education and government.

 

This has led to our delegates gaining deep insight into not just the changes affecting the supply chain industry, but also its increasingly important role in nation building.

 

When we adopted the “Go World Class” battle cry last year, we envisioned the country’s supply chain industry to not just be competitive amidst increasingly connected global economies, but also critical in ensuring every Filipino benefits from our much-vaunted economic growth. Our decision to use this battle cry as our overall theme for last year’s conference, this year’s, and the four conferences that succeed it reflects this.

 

This year’s theme, specifically, is “Onward to Vision 2020” – solidifying our commitment to making the Philippine supply chain industry globally competitive and better equipped to serve the needs of Filipinos.

 

Our speakers this year, I should say, are an impressive bunch – and are in a unique position to provide insight not just into the challenges and opportunities facing supply chain, but also its role in the grander scheme of things.

 

Our keynote speaker is Doris Magsaysay-Ho, head of the shipping conglomerate A. Magsaysay Inc., and an advocate for the development of Philippine business through her role as co-chair of the APEC Business Advisory Council.

 

Our resource speakers, in alphabetical order, are:

  • Ronilo Balbieran, currently vice president for operations of REID Foundation, and a favorite in our events;
  • Richard Barclay, head of Manila North Harbour Port Inc.;
  • Emmanuel Bautista, executive director and head of ASEAN for LF Logistics, and a speaker in our 2014 conference;
  • Kim Cabanig, product manager for machine-to-machine solutions for Globe Business;
  • Engr. Ludwig Federigan, an entrepreneur and green advocate from Cebu, who is part of the Climate Reality Project;
  • Nestor Felicio, corporate vice president for integrated planning and logistics management for United Laboratories, and current SCMAP president-elect;
  • Megan Fung, marketing manager for the Hong Kong Trade Development Council;
  • William Lorenzana Jr., a global supply chain consultant whose experience includes stints in Jollibee, Unilever and Pepsi;
  • Jose Manuel Mapa, EVP for key accounts for the 2GO Group, and a familiar face in  SCMAP events;
  • Markus Meissner, managing director of AEB Asia Pacific;
  • Capt. Rodien Paca, COO of Mariners Professional Shipmanagement and a member of the board of SCMAP’s Visayas chapter;
  • Nicasio Rollan, chairman of Transfluent Management and another SCMAP favorite;
  • April Lynn Tan CFA, head of research for COL Financial Group and a familiar face to those following the stock market; and
  • Robert Vallender, supply chain project manager for Nestlé Philippines.

 

As always, the conference is accompanied by an exhibit featuring the country’s major logistics service providers and product suppliers.

 

I can also reveal that we’re introducing some interesting changes to the event, with the aim of making the experience of delegates and exhibit attendees alike a well-rounded and truly world class one.

 

I would like to thank everybody who has signed up so far – our sponsors (prime slots were snapped up earlier than usual, which is a good thing) and our over 250 delegates. There’s still room for more, of course! With less than two weeks to go, I would like to invite you to join the 2016 SCMAP Supply Chain Conference as a delegate or sponsor. You can email us at secretariat@scmap.org for more details.

 

Now, back to work. Many more meetings lie ahead.

 

Henrik Batallones is the marketing and communications executive of SCMAP. A former board director, he is also editor-in-chief of the organization’s official publication, Supply Chain Philippines.