Smart Procurement World 2012 has attracted more than double the participation it enjoyed last year. Smart Procurement can this week confirm that more than 600 procurement and supply chain professionals will gather en mass at Gallagher Convention Centre on 13 November to attend the multinational procurement networking event.
“They’re coming because they want to be part of an event that challenges the leading trends in procurement and supply chain in Africa,” Bernie van Niekerk, Commerce Edge CEO, tells SmartProcurement.
One hundred speakers will take to the podiums at this year’s event. Brand Pretorius, Hugh Glenister, Sam Gulube, Clem Sunter and Lucky Montana are just some of names who will share their knowledge during the three days.
Those who attended last year’s Smart Procurement World will not recognise this year’s event, says van Niekerk. “It has grown tremendously!”
The Smart Sourcing & Supply Management Conference and Public Sector Supply Chain Summit are joined this year by two new initiatives that promise to capture the attention of South Africa’s supply chain in years to come: the Enterprise Development Expo 2012 and the Trade & Customs Africa Conference.
Over 120 small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) are exhibiting at the Enterprise Development Expo, says Debbie Tagg, Commerce Edge COO. “Enterprise development is close to my heart and it has been exciting to witness the response this initiative has received, not only from SMMEs, but from big businesses lining up to sponsor SMMEs to exhibit.”
Shanduka Black Umbrella’s, Property Point (Growthpoint Properties), Group Five, TCTA, BECA, Absa, Supply Chain Network, Telkom and Transnet have each sponsored groups of SMMEs with whom they do business in order to introduce these SMMEs to the market.
The inaugural Trade & Customs Africa conference is a forum where traders and carriers will find solutions to stay ahead of the ever-changing customs and trade landscape, explains Tagg.
“It’s a networking event. Companies can no longer afford a mere operational approach to customs and trade – they need to focus on a coherent strategy that addresses customs risks and takes advantage of customs and trade opportunities.”
Registrations for Smart Procurement World, are still open.
