CPOstrategy is delighted to partner with DPW ahead of this year’s conferences in New York City and Amsterdam.
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As always, CPOstrategy will deliver exclusive content, live updates, and in-depth coverage throughout both events.
DPW will return to New York on June 3-4th while Amsterdam’s event will take place on September 30th and October 1st at the RAI Amsterdam.
This year, DPW will focus its New York City and Amsterdam events around the theme of ‘Recode’ which will explore how procurement gets done in an era of an explosion in AI.
After confirming the conference theme, Matthias Gutzmann, Founder of DPW Amsterdam, said: “Since I founded DPW in 2019, AI has moved from hype to everyday reality. At the same time, I’ve seen a lot of activity and chatter about AI, but very little progress. As the enablers of digital transformation in procurement and supply chain, it’s part of our mission to help you close this gap.
“We’ve added tools. Lots of them. Yet progress feels limited. What if the real challenge isn’t technology, but how procurement and supply chain are designed? How is work structured? How are decisions made? And where do humans and machines each add the most value?
“In 2026, we’ll be exploring – and answering – these questions together at DPW. I’m super excited to announce our theme for the year – RECODE.”
DPW New York is set to be a hub of inspiration, insight, and the dynamic energy that defines our diverse and passionate community.
From founders and enterprise leaders to investors, political figures, academic thought leaders, and emerging talent, it is the gathering place where the widest array of perspectives converge to drive meaningful change.
Tickets for the New York event can be purchased here.
Last October was DPW’s biggest conference yet. More than 1,700 people from 65 different countries and 37 industries attended DPW Amsterdam 2025. With 129 sponsors involved in the event, over 100 speakers across 70+ sessions filled the expo space with lively discussion and invaluable insights.
Stay tuned to CPOstrategy for full coverage from both events with unmissable insights from industry leaders.
CPOstrategy is delighted to partner with the World Procurement Congress ahead of this year’s conference.
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The World Procurement Congress (WPC) is widely regarded as one of the most important gatherings of the year for some of the world’s most influential procurement leaders.
Against the backdrop of rapid innovation and ever-changing global pressures, today’s Chief Procurement Officers are busier than ever which is why collaboration and exchanging best practices has never been so important.
This year’s event will be held at InterContinental London – The O2 from 19th-20th May, 2026, which will be followed by the return of the World Procurement Awards on 21st May. The Awards aims to spotlight those transforming procurement and setting benchmarks for excellence. Featuring a diverse range of categories and a well-regarded panel of CPO judges, the Awards celebrates the achievements of those sparking change globally.
Spread across three high-impact days, global leaders will come together to explore how procurement can unlock new opportunities, resilience and innovation.
Beginning with two exclusive Day 0 forums – the AI Forum and Resilience Forum – prior to two days of congress sessions.
The event will be focused around six key themes which are CPO vision, people and performance, digitalisation, resilience, sustainability and partnerships and innovation.
Find out more information about the conference here.
Don’t miss out on this vital discussion around the human rights side of supply chain
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ethica26, the human rights in supply chain leadership summit, is happening in London on the 17th of March. The event – presented by the Slave-Free Alliance, Hope for Justice, and Exiger – is a full day of expert talks and roundtable discussions, hosted at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London.
Human rights violations threaten the operations, reputations, and resilience of supply chains all over the world. Businesses face growing regulatory, investor, and customer pressure to take a strong stance and make the correct decisions about human rights. ethica26 will bring together over 300 supply chain leaders across various industries to help chart and guide the future of more ethical supply chains.
Exiger’s Executive Forum returns in March, enabling procurement and supply chain leaders to deep-dive into the latest the sector has to offer
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On Wednesday the 4th of March, Exiger’s Executive Forum arrives at Great Scotland Yard in London. The title of this event is When geopolitics hits the P&L: Redesigning supply chains for structural conflict. Concerns around instability across the world are at an all-time high, and now is not the time for procurement and supply chain professionals to bury their heads in the sand. The Exiger Executive Forum is designed to lay the relevant issues out on the table, and remove fear in a way that’s still realistic.
This particular event examines how various forces – including sanctions, export controls, financial restrictions, and resource nationalism – affect the realities of procurement. Geopolitical instability isn’t an external risk anymore; it affects every part of the supply chain. As a result, procurement leaders are redesigning contracts, sourcing strategies, and decision governance in order to turn potential disruption around.
March’s Exiger Executive Forum will focus on:
How Geopolitics Translates into P&L Impact
Supplier Liquidity, Financial Exposure, and Payment Fragility
Source to Processing and Assembly Concentration, Choke Points, and Structural Dependency
The world’s most influential tech conference in procurement and supply chain has announced its theme for its 2026 events.
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This year, DPW will focus its New York City and Amsterdam events around the theme of ‘Recode’ which will explore how procurement gets done in an era of an explosion in AI.
Announcing the news, Matthias Gutzmann, Founder of DPW Amsterdam, said: “Since I founded DPW in 2019, AI has moved from hype to everyday reality. At the same time, I’ve seen a lot of activity and chatter about AI, but very little progress. As the enablers of digital transformation in procurement and supply chain, it’s part of our mission to help you close this gap.
“We’ve added tools. Lots of them. Yet progress feels limited. What if the real challenge isn’t technology, but how procurement and supply chain are designed? How is work structured? How are decisions made? And where do humans and machines each add the most value?
“In 2026, we’ll be exploring – and answering – these questions together at DPW. I’m super excited to announce our theme for the year – RECODE.”
Last October was DPW’s biggest conference yet. More than 1,700 people from 65 different countries and 37 industries attended DPW Amsterdam 2025. With 129 sponsors involved in the event, over 100 speakers across 70+ sessions filled the expo space with lively discussion and invaluable insights.
DPW will return to New York on June 3-4th while Amsterdam’s event will take place on September 30th and October 1st at the RAI Amsterdam.
Procurement across Europe and the UK has reached a clear turning point. AI is no longer confined to pilots or…
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Procurement across Europe and the UK has reached a clear turning point.
AI is no longer confined to pilots or experimentation. It is already shaping real decisions, real risk exposure, and measurable business outcomes. For today’s CPOs, the question is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how to apply it responsibly, transparently, and at enterprise scale.
Recent research from The Hackett Group, conducted in partnership with Zycus, highlights the growing role of AI agents in procurement transformation. The study found that 64% of procurement executives believe AI agents will drive the greatest transformational impact on procurement teams over the next five years, reinforcing the shift toward more intelligent, outcome-oriented procurement operating models.
This evolution, from traditional Source-to-Pay to Intake-to-Outcomes approach, forms the central theme of Zycus Horizon EU & UK 2026, taking place in Vienna, convening senior leaders, analysts and innovators to explore what procurement leadership looks like in an outcomes-driven, AI-enabled era.
Zycus Horizon EU & UK 2026 will be held from 10–12 March 2026 at the InterContinental Vienna.
What makes Horizon EU & UK different?
Horizon EU & UK 2026 is intentionally designed as a senior-level leadership forum, not a mass-market conference.
Over three days, 150+ CPOs and senior procurement executives from Europe and the UK will engage with enterprise practitioners and leading analysts to explore how procurement is evolving, from operational execution to outcome-driven leadership.
Speakers include leaders from organisations such as Bolt, Nippon Gases, Bank of Cyprus, Tenneco, Tiger Consumer Brands, Tate & Lyle and more, alongside analysts from Gartner, Forrester, and IDC.
From Source-to-Pay(S2P) to Intake-to-Outcomes (I2O), with Agentic AI
At the core of Horizon EU & UK 2026 is the transition from Source-to-Pay (S2P) to Intake-to-Outcomes (I2O).
As enterprises face sustained economic pressure, regulatory complexity, and increasingly interconnected supply ecosystems, procurement leaders are expected to deliver:
Faster, better-informed decisions
Clearer visibility into risk and performance
Outcomes directly aligned with business priorities
Agentic AI plays a critical role in enabling this shift, not as a replacement for human decision-making, but as a mechanism for intelligent orchestration, guided execution, and measurable outcomes.
Horizon explores how organisations are applying Agentic AI to:
Translate business intent at intake into governed, outcome-oriented execution
Embed human-in-the-loop controls to support compliance, auditability, and trust
The focus is not on autonomy for its own sake, but on control, accountability, and business impact at scale.
What can attendees expect over three days?
Horizon EU & UK 2026 offers a balanced mix of strategic perspective and real-world insight, including:
Enterprise-led transformation stories from CPOs and global organizations, sharing what changed, what delivered results, and what they would approach differently
Analyst insights cutting through market noise to highlight the trends shaping procurement leadership and technology adoption
Live demonstrations of Agentic AI, showing how intelligent agents are influencing procurement decision-making, execution, and day-to-day operations
Peer networking with 150+ procurement leaders and 20+ speakers, alongside curated experiences that reflect Vienna’s imperial charm
Beyond the conference sessions, Horizon places strong emphasis on experience. From interactive ice-breaking activities to a Gala Awards Night, the event is structured to foster meaningful connection in a relaxed yet purposeful setting.
Why Vienna?
A setting designed for strategic reflection
Hosted in Vienna, Horizon EU & UK 2026 offers an environment that mirrors the event’s intent: composed, considered, and forward-looking.
Vienna’s blend of historic elegance and modern innovation provides the space for leaders to step away from daily execution and focus on longer-term procurement strategy, capability building, and leadership in an AI-driven era.
Looking ahead
Zycus Horizon EU & UK 2026 marks a pivotal moment for the procurement community across Europe and the UK.
As procurement enters an era defined by intelligence, outcomes, and accountability, Horizon offers a timely forum for leaders to align perspectives, exchange practical insight, and help shape what comes next.
Tanzil Uddin, SVP of Content & Partnerships at Manifest reveals how the industry’s most influential ecosystem event is evolving ahead of its 2026 edition, and why procurement and supply chain leaders can’t afford to miss it…
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When you speak with Tanzil Uddin, it becomes clear that Manifest is no longer just a conference; it’s a living, breathing snapshot of the global supply chain. The event’s scale, ambition and influence have grown sharply since its relaunch in 2022, with the 2026 edition primed to be its most consequential yet.
Manifest began life as the Future of Logistics Tech Summit, a small, investor-centric meet-up in Florida. But in 2022, the newly rebranded Manifest launched its first physical event during the Omicron wave: “a full ecosystem gathering,” says Uddin, “bringing together startups, investors, supply chain leadership, operators and every stakeholder across the value chain”.
Now under the Hive Corporation umbrella, Manifest is preparing for its fifth edition at The Venetian, Las Vegas, drawing a projected 7,200+ attendees and an increasingly senior global audience.
Programming with purpose
Uddin’s remit spans both the event’s content strategy and its partnerships with global supply chain executives. “My day-to-day is really about understanding what’s top of mind for supply chain and procurement leaders,” he explains. “Those conversations – whether with a CPO, CSCO or COO – shape the entire event agenda. And those priorities are shifting fast.
Technology, especially AI, sits at the centre of almost every strategic conversation. But Uddin is quick to point out that Manifest isn’t chasing hype. Instead, it focuses on real, tangible use cases.
“AI is the talk of the town,” he admits, “but leaders want to know where the actual value lies; where they’re seeing ROI today, not hypothetically.” This pragmatic lens extends across the agenda, which is built around the dual pressures shaping the industry: short-term efficiency and long-term transformation.
“Executives are automating workflows, renegotiating contracts and simplifying networks right now,” he notes, “but they’re also protecting budgets for strategic bets: AI, nearshoring, sustainability. It’s a balancing act.”
New for 2026: Procurement takes centre stage
While Manifest has always been deeply relevant to procurement, 2026 marks a decisive expansion. One of the major new additions is the dedicated Procurement Stage, launching on 9th February. “This is a big one,” says Uddin. “We have a huge number of CPOs and senior procurement leaders contributing. We’re covering everything from de-globalisation versus globalisation, to risk mitigation, supplier visibility, geopolitical strategy and the evolving role of procurement.” For a function that has moved into the strategic spotlight post-pandemic, this focus feels timely and overdue.
Manifest 2026 will also introduce a Cold Chain Pavilion, an evolution of the popular Cold Chain Stage. The pavilion brings emerging temperature-controlled innovations directly onto the expo floor in live, real-time demonstrations. “It’s one of the fastest-growing investment areas in supply chain,” enthuses Uddin. “We’re excited to shine a brighter spotlight on it.”
A curated, global ecosystem
Uddin attributes Manifest’s growth to a very intentional, data-driven curation of the event’s ecosystem. “We ask ourselves a simple question throughout the cycle: Did we bring all parts of the supply chain into the room and is the view global enough?” he says. “My favourite compliment,” Uddin smiles, “is when people say Manifest feels like their LinkedIn connections have come to life.” There’s an energy to the event that can’t be manufactured: organic, open and highly networked.
One of the most powerful insights Uddin brings comes from his year-round discussions with supply chain executives. The skillsets required of tomorrow’s leaders are evolving faster than many organisations realise. “You need data fluency, AI literacy, and the ability to orchestrate cross-functional ecosystems,” he says. “Scenario modelling, risk intelligence and rapid decision-making are becoming core competencies.” But soft skills matter just as much.
“Change management keeps coming up. Leaders must be able to communicate tech-driven value to the C-suite and cross-functional teams. That’s become essential.”
Tech discovery is still the heart of manifest
The show is renowned for its ability to surface the most exciting early-stage technology in supply chain. “Our job is to find the companies that people don’t yet know about, but should,” he says. “And then we bring them to Vegas.” The result is an expo floor that blends the practical and the awe-inspiring: workflow automation platforms, AI orchestration and integration tools, visibility and risk-intelligence solutions, autonomous trucks, robotics and humanoids, electric fleets, drones and warehouse automation systems. “It’s a healthy mix,” he says. “The software that drives decisions, plus and the hardware pushing physical operations forward.”
Manifest isn’t just about showcasing innovation; it’s about enabling co-development between corporates and startups. “Leaders come to Manifest to explore, discover and collaborate,” Uddin emphasises. “They want to identify which emerging technologies can create value today, and which partners can help future-proof their supply chains.”
The human + machine future
Ask Uddin where supply chain strategy is heading and he sees a powerful convergence of human expertise and machine intelligence. “It’s not human versus machine,” he argues. “It’s humans empowered by the machine.” AI is automating more of the forecasting and planning stack, surfacing risks, generating recommendations and processing complexity at speed. That frees people to focus on what they do best: judgement, context, relationship-building and strategy. “Humans are moving up the stack,” he says. “AI helps them make smarter, faster, more consistent decisions at scale.”
How to get the most value out of Manifest
The release of Manifest’s full 2026 agenda – coming in early December – is a key moment for prospective attendees. “Planning ahead is essential,” Uddin advises. “We encourage people to come in with their own curated agenda. Think of it as building your agenda within our agenda.”
The Manifest app, launching one month before the event, is another game-changer. “It’s the holy grail,” he says. “Attendees start networking immediately; sending messages, setting up meetings, exploring who else is in the room.” His top tip? “Have your calendar of sessions and meetings set before you land in Vegas.”
The most exclusive room in supply chain
Of all the elements Uddin is excited about for 2026, one stands out: the second edition of Leadership Suite, a private, off-the-record forum for CPOs and CSCOs. “We had about 60 leaders last year,” he says. “We’re already close to 100 confirmed for 2026.” It has quickly become one of the most sought-after invitations in supply chain events. An intimate setting where top executives can benchmark, speak candidly and share strategic priorities under Chatham House rules. “It’s extremely valuable,” says Uddin. “You get a real-time pulse on how your peers are thinking.”
Why Manifest matters now more than ever
With global disruption now a constant, Uddin believes Manifest’s role as a convening platform is more important than ever. “Uncertainty is the norm,” he says. “That’s exactly why bringing the full supply chain ecosystem together under one roof is so critical. Leaders need to benchmark, discover new technologies, and have honest conversations.”
For procurement and supply chain executives navigating complexity and opportunity in equal measure, the 2026 edition of Manifest promises not just insight and innovation, but a genuine direction.
Leadership came together at the Amazon Business headquarters in Seattle to recall the past decade’s triumphs as well as future…
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Leadership came together at the Amazon Business headquarters in Seattle to recall the past decade’s triumphs as well as future plans for Gen-AI in procurement…
Last year marked the 30th birthday of one of, if not the, most influential conglomerates in the world. This year it celebrates its most critical period for commerce as Amazon Business (AB) concludes its first decade – the next one showing even more promise of technical innovation and elevation of procurement in the corporate eye.
At the Amazon Business Reshape event in Seattle, its very own leadership team offered profound words on the triumphs of its tenure and the ripple effects that will encourage continued customer focus. In the era of digital solutions, supply chain visibility and tech innovation, the talk of the event was the business’ undying commitment to customers – commercial and consumer.
At the turning of a 10-year clock, influential figures gathered at the event to celebrate AB’s achievements that continue to align its customers with the trends in supply chain, procurement and commercial digitalisation.
Customer focus remains at the core of Amazon
While Amazon’s intent has remained the same for decades, talks at the AB event swayed heavily towards a core topic – procurement. Specifically – and perhaps inevitably – the technologies it offers to companies in need of more intelligent solutions.
In early discussions, Doug Gray, Chief Technology Officer at AB, outlined the procurement attention shift towards automation and analytics to maintain its long-standing customer-centric position. It was in this context that we learned of new, generative-AI-based technologies, and their involvement in procurement’s evolution.
“Automation is no longer a future aspiration,” says Gray. “According to IDC research, 97% of procurement professionals say automation and AI are important to streamline their procurement processes.”
In this context, he introduced Amazon Business Assistant—a conversational AI with deep Amazon business expertise—that will provide instant contextual guidance right where procurement managers need it. Besides this, there are myriad administrative changes to the AB platform, the majority essential for simplified digital procurement.
It is almost impossible to quote all the changes to the AB platform with such diversity of updates. These include deferred delivery for US customers, as well as delivery consolidation, security, invoice automation, locker-based restocking and inventory management, and so on. This is all part of AB’s drive to empower businesses and tailor customer support.
This is the sum of the event and AB’s driving factor, according to Global VP Selley Salomon who said to the crowds in Seattle: “The programme goal is to empower employees to make over 95% of purchases without manager approval, saving time and improving the employee experience”.
Backing procurement professionals and their decision-making
It has become evident over the AB’s lifespan that disruption may hide around any corner. Since gaining major awareness in the supply chain realm, procurement has become the defining factor of supply chain success—the building of resilient, risk-averse supply chains.
Gray highlighted the significant lack of visibility in the face of inclining procurement pressures. This realisation has driven much of AB’s approach to its own evolution in order to provide its enterprise customers with more insight to influence more proactive sourcing activities.
“Our North Star is to invent ways to help all procurement stakeholders move effortlessly from one step to the next,” Gray said. “I’m excited to announce several new Amazon Business features”.
The features concerning procurement are, unsurprisingly, AI-powered—a welcome addition according to 63% of organisations who confirm the benefits. This is due to the fact that companies want deeper insights, and at record rates. They wish to simplify, yet ramp up their procurement without the inherent risks that come with an increase in speed.
“Customer service is one of the first places where this acceleration is showing up,” said Gray. Then he addressed the room by saying “I’m sure this is something that everyone in this room has experienced, whether ordering groceries or making travel arrangements”.
It comes as no surprise, then, that Amazon offers a host of services to equip businesses for the challenges ahead. For instance, intuitive spend-anomaly monitoring will give companies greater insight into their purchasing habits, allowing them to track trends, stay compliant, and ultimately make savings.
“Research shows that 65% of procurement peers report a lack of visibility across their organisations’ purchasing activity,” Gray added. “A challenge that only grows as teams expand across departments and geographies between scattered systems, siloed teams and shifting internal priorities, procurement and failure”.
During further discussion, Jeff Austin, Global VP Supply Chain Services at Jabil, told Gray that “business-intelligence enterprise AI has caught up, so we’re putting it to work.”
At Jabil, the focus lies in supplier data, internal purchase data, inventory information, and logistics information. Leveraging Amazon’s Gen-AI, Jabil is able to expand its data collection and leverage the tool to identify cycles from importing and sourcing to more external elements like weather changes, and the effects they create.
Emma Chontos, Chief Procurement Officer and Head of Global Sourcing & Procurement at Intuit, was part of the conversation as it shifted towards generative AI—primarily discussing its current and future applications in sourcing. She gestured to the fact that Gen AI is largely underutilised in procurement. In doing so, she said “you need to start really, really small”.
This is based on context from Intuit that can be found in the opening session. The company experienced significant benefits of Gen-AI implementation as a result of building tailored employee experiences that feed into the corporate system. The key point to take away from her was the need to simplify procurement prior to introducing any new or drastic measures, such as AI.
“We’ve saved 1,000s of hours just sucking it in. It’s predictive, and it’s taken out the manual aspect. But then you start to get into other things. Sometimes you have the data, but you [lack] repetition. If you aren’t clear on that process, it’s just not going to work.”
AI streamlines the undesirable processes
On the topic of AI and its innate ability to help employees shed much of their ongoing manual and repetitive workloads, AB recognises its influence on the uptake of such technologies. Brenda Spoonemore, VP of Commercial, Public and Strategic Sectors at AB, was on hand at the event to delve deeper into its applications across today’s most critical industries.
One of her core messages about AI; its main incentive is to allow better human connection between employees and customers.
“Let humans be humans,” Spoonemore says. “Let them do the things humans are really good at”. This comment follows her perspective on the relationship between people and AI as she nods to concerns of its takeover. The response was well-rounded, though, advocating the ability to harness both technological and hum capabilities. Spoonemore believes in each working collaboratively without compromise, which means letting AI handle processes, improvement, efficiency, and data to target areas within business operation. As for staff, the balance comes from authenticity, which is a fundamental human strength.
Spoonemore explains that some businesses simply “don’t let humans be humans and do the things we’re good at, which is building relationships and getting deeper into problem solving”.
She also emphasises the inevitability of AI—something that businesses can often turn a blind eye to. A crucial part for Amazon has been to take its customer mindset and translate it into human-AI collaboration.
“I think reprogramming the software between our ears is the hardest part,” says Spoonemore. “At Amazon, we work backwards. We start with what the customer problem is like, what the problem is, and the opportunity.”
She elaborates with an analogy: “If I had a magic wand, I’d want to be able to do x, y, z. And then you start to think, ‘well, there might be a way to do that’. It’s about rewiring ourselves to think differently”.
Know the problem before AI can solve it
In terms of rewiring, Satya Mishra, Director, Product and Technology at AB dug deeper into different buyers and their purchasing journeys, stating the importance of effective data flows before implementing into AI.
“Unidirection means from suppliers to your procurement system to your indefinite delivery contract (IDC) system,” says Mishra. “That’s actually incorrect. The data needs to flow in both directions.”
Tying this into the idea of ‘starting small’, the talk on IDC Insights for Eliminating Manual Inefficiencies really honed in on the idea of incremental implementation. This was a core point of this year’s event—to get the simple things right before adopting technology for more intricate business functions. One of the biggest challenges for companies using AI is their understanding of how it fits long-term, but that gradual implementation can shed some light on workflow inefficiencies.
Mishra said procurement should always “pick up something that is low complexity, but high return in value.” He also stated—perhaps a core message for the entire event—is to “make sure that you have a very strong foundation built in”.
This is exactly what Amazon Business strives to achieve following its hit in Seattle this year, and its upcoming 2026 event in Nashville – part of a growing calendar of customer-focused conferences showcasing its new wave of procurement foundations. In the process we expect to see the use of AI evolve among its customers.
Benefit from expert conversations at the Exiger Executive Forum
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Exiger, the AI-powered supply chain management platform, is hosting another of its executive forums on November the 18th at 6:30-11:45pm at the Great Scotland Yard Hotel, London. In partnership with CPOstrategy, the Exiger Executive Forum – entitled ‘False Security: The illusion of control in modern day value chains’ – brings together leaders from across the industry to discuss and learn about the way supply chains are being reshaped for the modern age.
CPOstrategy readers can click here to request a place at this exclusive forum
Supply chains are under stress the world over, due to ever-evolving regulations and geopolitical reorganisation. To assume your supply chain is immovable and under control is, at best, naïve.
This is why the Exiger Forum exists; to keep attendees informed and prepared. The speakers for the event are:
Koray Köse
CEO and Chief Analyst, Köse Advisory & Senior Fellow, GlobSEC Geotech Centre & Board Member, Slave-Free Alliance
Sven Markert
Head of Supply Chain & Logistics Siemens Smart Infrastructure
Angela Qu
Advisor, Strategist and Former Chief Supply Chain Officer
Faysal Rahman
Director, Corporate Coverage – Global Defence Coordinator, Deutsche Bank
Scott LaFoy
Vice President, Nuclear and Technology Security Programs, Exiger
During the evening’s discussions, the panel will dig into how supply chains become more proactive and less reactive, as well as exploring insights on:
Regional concentration
Sanctions
Tariffs
Hidden risks
And Critical points of failure in supply chains
Click here to request a space and join other supply chain professionals at the Exiger Executive Forum
CPOstrategy is delighted to partner with the Global Procurement Summit ahead of this year’s conference.
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The fifth edition of the Global Procurement Summit brings together the brightest minds, industry pioneers, purchasing leads, and procurement leaders from across various industries for two days of high-impact discussions, cutting-edge procurement strategies, and unparalleled networking opportunities.
This year’s event will take place at the Holiday Inn, Amsterdam, on 20th November until 21st November, 2025, from 8.30am until 6pm (CET) time.
The Global Procurement Summit 2025 will go beyond traditional procurement to explore how organisations can navigate disruption, harness digital transformation, and create agile, cost-effective, and sustainable supply chains. Whether you’re a CPO, procurement director, or supply chain professional, this summit is the ultimate gateway to the future of procurement.
Some of the key topics set to be discussed include sustainable procurement and ESG compliance, AI and digital procurement transformation, as well as supplier relationship and risk management. There will also be deep discussions into cost optimisation and value creation, transparency, compliance and ethical sourcing, as well as procurement’s role in supply chain resilience and data-driven decision-making in procurement.
Secure your seat today and be part of a transformative experience that will shape the way you think, source, and strategise.
ProcureTex promises to bring together best-of-breed procurement technology providers and forward-thinking procurement teams at a new event in London.
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It’s no secret that the procurement industry currently faces some of its biggest challenges to date. From Trump’s tariffs to the climate crisis, companies are struggling to maintain their supply chains in an unpredictable environment. More than ever, procurement teams find themselves responsible for dealing with pain points in their organisation. Not only that, but businesses are increasingly looking to procurement to unlock new sources of strategic value.
In this climate, the procurement sector needs, more than ever, to come together. Procurement leaders need to share expertise, learn, and exchange ideas to develop new strategies and solutions to pressing challenges.
Developed by founding partners Keelvar, Zip, Beroe, and more, ProcureTEX is a gathering of top tier best-of-breed vendors — it’s “a rallying point for a community that emphasises interoperability, innovation, and best-in-class technology” working together to solve real challenges.
ProcureTEX 2025
ProcureTEX is a first of its kind event for the procurement sector. Unlike other events, the event exclusively targets best-of-breed procurement technology providers and forward-thinking procurement teams.
The event will debut on September 17, 2025, in London.
“The future is here, it’s just not equally distributed. For procurement, it’s best-of-breed systems working together,” said Alan Holland, Founder & CEO of Keelvar and founding member of ProcureTEX. “An ecosystem of interoperable tools that seamlessly work together can unlock huge improvements in speed and value.”
ProcureTEX targets procurement and digital transformation leaders, providing a space for them to explore, build, and experience custom best-of-breed tech stacks that solve specific enterprise challenges — in real time. Live hackathons, practitioner-led workshops, and curated content sessions will put actionable insights at the heart of the agenda.
A Groundbreaking Shift for the Industry
Lu Cheng, CTO & Co-Founder of Zip and fellow ProcureTEX founding partner continues, “At Zip, we believe procurement leaders deserve a modern, AI-powered tech stack that keeps pace with the business — not legacy all-in-one suites. The future is best-of-breed, seamlessly orchestrated. That’s why we’re proud to partner with Keevlar and Beroe on ProcureTEX — a space for the procurement community to explore, learn, and build the next-generation stack together.”
Vel Dhinagaravel, Founder & CEO of Beroe and founding partner of ProcureTEX adds, “My biggest bugbear with traditional conferences is the way in which all the regular “frictions” associated with procurement seem to disappear – poor data, lack of trust in procurement metrics, disconnected processes, CIO’s dictating the choice of procurement software, and many, many more. ProcureTEX will be different: we’re going to acknowledge all of these frictions and focus on ways to work through them.”
ProcureTEX is for procurement leaders and digital transformation teams looking for integrated modern solutions that can scale with ease. Tickets are available now, with early bird pricing and group discounts (4-for-3) available. The event organisers will announce the full speaker lineup and agenda in the coming weeks.
Get ready for the procurement industry’s biggest upcoming events, from Ivalua NOW to ProcureCon Indirect West.
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2025 is already shaping up to be a pivotal year for the procurement sector. From the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) to supply chain disruptions, procurement teams are grappling with a wide array of ongoing market challenges and competing priorities that continue to exert pressure on the sector.
More than ever, procurement events are an essential way for the industry to meet, network, learn, and share their experiences of dealing with the sector’s biggest challenges. March promises to be a packed month for conferences and summits. Here are four upcoming events procurement professionals won’t want to miss.
ProcureCon Indirect West — March 3-5
Held in Las Vegas, Nevada, ProcureCon Indirect West brings together seasoned Chief Procurement Officers and the industry’s rising stars. Attendees hail from all sizes of organisation, from industry giants to agile startups. ProcureCon brings industry professionals together to explore actionable tactics that will allow them to navigate digital disruption and exceed their cost containment goals.
The two day event promises a dynamic mix of innovative speakers, interactive sessions with peers, and invaluable networking opportunities. Its aim is to provide the ultimate toolkit for long-term procurement success. This year’s event will feature a wide array of veteran industry speakers. These include: Charen Buyce, Senior Director of Procurement at Stitch Fix; James Chang, Head of Strategic Sourcing and Procurement at Symetra; and Sarah Kaye, Head of Procurement (Americas) at TikTok.
Ivalua NOW 2025 — March 11-12
One of Europe’s premier events for procurement leaders is taking place in Paris, France, on March 11-12. For US procurement professionals, a second event will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana, on May 21-22. Both events will also be accessible virtually.
Ivalua NOW is free to attend for procurement and finance practitioners, and aims to explore challenges facing the industry. In particular, the event’s agenda will focus on the disconnect between the promise of technology and cold hard reality. While new technologies like Generative AI promise to enhance employees’ productivity and decision-making, most organisations have experienced only marginal benefits, mainly from automating select tasks. To unlock the full potential and permanently elevate procurement’s role, innovation must extend beyond simply adopting new technologies. In order to do that, Ivalua argues that organisations must embrace new ways of working. Not only that, but they must constantly challenge operational methodologies to continuously innovate. Ivalua NOW 2025 aims to provide a roadmap for procurement teams to do just that.
Ivalua NOW 2025 provides a unique opportunity to learn how industry leaders are engaging with procurement’s biggest hurdles. It will unveil how these eladers are pushing boundaries to increase profitability, ensure supply chain resilience, and improve sustainability. This year’s event will bring together over 1000 global leaders from world-renowned organisations including Prada, Veolia, Koerber Group, Bulgari, GN Jabra, Manulife, Cleveland Clinic, CACI, and many more.
“Ivalua NOW is an invaluable opportunity to engage with industry leaders, learn about innovative solutions, and share actionable takeaways. We’re excited to contribute to the conversation on Gen AI-driven procurement transformation,” commented Jan van Hueth, Senior Project Manager at Koerber AG.
BME European Procurement & Supply Chain Excellence Summit 2025 — March 31-April 1
Taking place at the end of the month in Frankfurt, Germany, BME’s European Procurement & Supply Chain Excellence Summit 2025 is an invitation-only event with the goal of providing a comprehensive networking platform for C-Level Procurement & Supply Chain Executives.
This year, procurement and supply chain leaders will meet to explore strategies for driving purposeful, sustainable, and impactful change.
Topics slated for discussion include: geopolitics and supply chains, with an emphasis on how shifting global powers will reshape supply chains around the world; discovering the procurement model of the future with an eye toward adapting to next-gen procurement models in a changing world; maximising business value by building a data-driven, value based procurement function; developing leadership, talent, and culture; and driving sustainability, digitalisation and AI in the value chain.
We are thrilled to announce that CPOstrategy is the official media partner for DPW Amsterdam!
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CPOstrategy is renowned for its in-depth coverage and analysis of procurement trends, making it the perfect partner to amplify the impact of DPW Amsterdam.
As media partner, CPOstrategy will deliver exclusive content, live updates, and in-depth coverage throughout the event.
Here are the updates that you can look forward to:
Insights from Speaker Sessions
Gain insights from industry leaders like Paul Polman, Business Leader & Former CEO of Unilever, Jennifer Moceri, CPO, Google, and Marcelo Stefani, CPO, PepsiCo, as they take the stage to share their expertise and shape the future of procurement.
CPOstrategy will conduct exclusive interviews with top procurement experts, providing you with valuable strategies and perspectives. Stay tuned for these insightful conversations that will be shared throughout the event.
Special Coverage
Look out for special live segments from DPW Amsterdam 2024, as well as full-page summaries in the CPOstrategy monthly magazine that offer a closer look at the vision behind DPW Amsterdam and its impact on the procurement industry. Join the excitement and follow along with #DPWAmsterdam for live updates and exclusive content. Let’s celebrate procurement excellence together!
Digital Procurement World (DPW) today announced the impressive speaker lineup for its groundbreaking DPW NYC Summit.
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Bringing together some of the most progressive minds in procurement. This exclusive invite-only event will be held in the heart of New York City at the iconic NeueHouse Madison Square Penthouse on June 12, 2024.
Speakers include:
Scott Belsky, chief strategy officer and EVP of design and emerging products, Adobe
David Rogers, author of “The Digital Transformation Roadmap,” Columbia Business School
Tony Filippone, chief research officer, HFS Research
Elouise Epstein, digital procurement futurist and author of “How to Hack Your Supply Chain: Breaking Today, Building Tomorrow”
Pierre Mitchell, chief research officer and managing director, Spend Matters
Christine Howlett-Perez, associate vice president and head of procurement, Definitive Healthcare
The DPW NYC Summit is anchored around the theme, “AIX: Breakthrough Thinking for Exponential Impact,” inspiring procurement leaders to tap into the full potential of artificial intelligence, fostering a culture of innovation and generating transformative results.
In addition to thought-provoking keynotes, attendees will gain insights from groundbreaking new research, learn from use cases around the transformative use of AI, participate in an immersive virtual reality experience, and develop a collaborative journey map for the future of procurement.
Qualified procurement and supply chain practitioners can request an invitation to attend at nyc.dpw.ai.
The DPW NYC Summit is DPW’s first event in the United States. This move comes in response to the overwhelming demand from participants and sponsors of DPW’s annual conference in Amsterdam, which attracts thousands of procurement practitioners, startups, solution providers, investors and media every year. DPW Amsterdam’s fourth annual conference will take place on Oct. 8-10, 2024. For details, visit conference.dpw.ai.
Matthias Gutzmann, the founder of DPW, said, “The DPW NYC Summit will redefine the expectations for procurement gatherings, challenging the status quo and facilitating deep, impactful conversations among the industry’s leading voices. This summit is much more than an event; it’s a stepping stone to genuine transformation.”
About DPW
Digital Procurement World is the world’s largest and most influential tech ecosystem for the procurement and supply chain industry. DPW brings together a diverse network of startup founders, investors, executives from technology and advisory firms, business leaders and academics to collaboratively tackle industry-wide challenges. Learn more about DPW at dpw.ai.
We catch up with new CEO at DPW, Herman Knevel, to discuss his new role, fresh innovations for 2024’s event in Amsterdam and the future of procurement.
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One of the world’s biggest and most influential tech events in the procurement and supply chain space has announced a new CEO.
DPW has revealed that Herman Knevel has stepped up to take on a more strategic role while Founder Matthias Gutzmann focuses on continuing to grow the events.
“It’s a great brand and a fantastic company. The energy in the room in Amsterdam is contagious and the people and teams that come to DPW are at the core of what we do,” explains Knevel. “We’re building a strong strategy and team now and continue to deliver a great value and experiences to our customers and community at scale.”
DPW Boom
Being the initiator of DPW LABS, the corporate innovation programme, Knevel is already involved with DPW. He has long-standing career in global outsourcing, corporate innovation, and corporate start-up collaborations. “Throughout my career I have always been passionate about making connections meaningful and been driven by people, innovation, and collaboration opportunities,” he reveals. “That’s what LABS still is today as we thrive by the procure tech ecosystem, and that’s what I continue to do at scale as CEO of DPW. I am grateful and excited to make DPW the global number one super connector of our ecosystem and to create more value for our stakeholders year-round, an ambition that is shared and supported by the founder and team behind DPW.”
Since the launch of DPW in 2019, the conference has grown from strength to strength. In its October 2023 edition, DPW welcomed 1,250 procurement professionals with more than 2,500 virtual attendees watching along at home. Held at the former stock exchange building, the Beurs van Berlage, last year’s theme was “Make Tech Work” which focused on turning digital aspirations into a reality. The event encompassed a deep dive into discussions surrounding AI and machine learning in procurement, digital transformation strategies, sustainable procurement, supplier collaboration, risk management as well as innovation and disruption.
Herman Knevel
Innovation drive
DPW’s topic focus for 2024 has already been determined as 10x. Knevel explains the process of deciding a conference’s theme is relatively straightforward. “If you look at make tech work, that was a really good theme last year and that resonated well with many who came to DPW, not only in Amsterdam but also online on our livestream,” he explains. “But also, what we learned from the market, and especially from the side of the startups and scale-ups, is that the technology is there and ready to solve the problem. Making tech work was an obvious thing last year, as the adoption rate is still fairly low and a pain point in the industry. The 10x mindset is something we think we should need in the industry to accelerate the base of innovation and to increase the speed of value for many.”
One of DPW’s newest innovations for 2024 is tech safaris which are guided group tours throughout the expo halls. With 25,000 ft² of exhibition space and over 120 technologies to explore, it can sometimes be hard to navigate. Based on areas of interest such as ESG or intake and orchestration management, tech buyers and investors are taken directly to exhibitors to watch live product demos, ask questions, and get insights into key trends in specific tech domains. “It all comes from feedback and listening to customers,” he explains. “Right before I joined as CEO, Matthias and I went to San Francisco and the Valley and also visited New York. Being able to listen to different customers and founders was key and meant we could listen, learn and then implement that innovation.”
Herman Knevel with founder Matthias Gutzmann
Coming to America
And continuous improvement is very much part of DPW’s mantra. The organisation is gearing up for its inaugural United States event which will be held in New York on 12th June, 2024. Although it will be a scaled-down one-day event, the aim is to spread awareness of DPW’s presence in a new market together with launching partners and start the process of expanding out of solely operating in Amsterdam. “We want to engage with the community in the ecosystem on the East Coast and the Americas,” explains Knevel. “It’s also not the same format as Amsterdam as we bring people and the ecosystem together for a day with some great solutions and customers. It’s about understanding the ecosystem there a bit better and we plan to grow over the years to come.”
DPW is passionate about bringing procurement to the top of the c-suite and making the function cool and relevant. This year, the organisation has plans to introduce a Padel tournament as a different way of connecting. “Networking through sports is a great way of getting together,” says Knevel. “It’s an informal way to connect and also lowers the bar. We know this works from experience and we wanted to bring this to DPW so it’s very exciting.”
DPW’s pull
But the main draw of DPW Amsterdam has always been the high-level speakers it attracts. Last year saw the likes of visionaries such as Dr. Elouise Epstein, Partner at Kearney, Yossi Sheffi, Director of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and author David Rogers deliver keynote sessions. Knevel recognises the importance of bringing in great speakers and also sees the value in outside perspectives too. “We want to bring in more CEOs for a different perspective with the right leadership experience,” he explains. “We had Guenther Steiner (former Haas Formula One team principal) who provided an interesting perspective from a different industry. This year, we’re bringing in the former CEO at Unilever Paul Polman. We’re always on the lookout for fresh speakers and they don’t just have to CPOs for them to be considered.”
With an eye on the future, Knevel is looking forward to procurement’s next few years and how DPW fits within that. “Some say we are at the beginning of a replacement cycle in digital procurement,” explains Knevel. “There’s so much happening in the coming years. Of course, it will not only be driven by technology and AI, but foremost by the people, founders and leaders. It’s people that bring innovation and make the connection. If you look through the lens of opportunity from a digital and sustainable procurement angle, there’s so much to be excited about over the coming years.”
Renowned procurement tech conference DPW has announced its first United States event will take place in New York City in June 2024.
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DPW has revealed it will host its first United States event in New York City following the event’s success in Amsterdam.
Having made its name in the Netherlands, DPW will now host its inaugural North American event at the NeueHouse Penthouse in New York on 12th June, 2024.
DPW in New York
The event will aim to spread awareness of DPW’s presence in a new market together with launching partners as it begins to expand out of operating solely in Amsterdam.
Back in November, founders Matthias Gutzmann and Herman Knevel travelled to Silicon Valley, California, to discuss an expansion into the United States.
Founder Matthias Gutzmann
Gutzmann said since 2018 he has harboured ambitions of bringing a procurement conference to New York. “Sitting in my Brooklyn apartment, I envisioned something revolutionary, something capable of harnessing the immense potential of digital procurement in unprecedented ways,” he confirmed. “Fast forward to today, DPW has evolved into the leading tech ecosystem for procurement and supply chain, with our annual event in Amsterdam drawing thousands of attendees and driving impactful change on a global scale.
“For years, I’ve been urged to bring DPW to the United States, and I am proud to say that day has finally arrived. Launching our event in the city where it all began is not only a milestone for DPW but a deeply personal achievement. The DPW NYC Summit is much more than just an event – it’s a testament to perseverance, innovation, and the power of a vision realised. Let’s shape the future together!”
Growing at speed
Knevel believes adding New York to its already popular Amsterdam event will bring another dimension to the organisation’s offering. “We want to engage with the community in the ecosystem on the East Coast and the Americas,” explains Knevel. “It’s also not the same format as Amsterdam as we bring people and the ecosystem together for a day with some great solutions and customers. It’s about understanding the ecosystem there a bit better and we plan to grow over the years to come.”
Since the launch of DPW in 2019, the conference has grown from strength to strength. In its October 2023 edition, DPW welcomed 1,250 procurement professionals with more than 2,500 virtual attendees watching along at home.
Five of the biggest, most valuable industry events on the procurement and sourcing professional’s calendar for 2024.
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2024 promises to be a significant year for the procurement sector, as the discipline takes centre stage in the enterprise decision-making process. However, increasing importance for procurement departments means new challenges, as organisations increasingly look to procurement to not only cut costs but drive sustainability, digital transformation, and supply chain resilience.
For those looking to stay abreast of the fast-moving procurement landscape, events provide opportunities for networking, learning, and experiencing the latest procurement solutions and products first hand. That’s why we have gathered our top five unmissable procurement industry events for 2024.
5. ProcureCon Indirect East
When: September 9-11
Where: Orlando, Florida
Projected Attendance: 500+
For more than 20 years, ProcureCon has been hosting industry events with a peer-to-peer structure and focus. Billed as a conference “by practitioners, for practitioners”, ProcureCon Indirect East is a networking and education focused event “whether you’re a CPO or a rising star, a large or small spend company”. In addition to featuring the insights of procurement innovators and professionals “in the trenches” as well as the C-Suite, ProcureCon Indirect East also emphasises interactive events, with more than 30 hours of discussion groups, workshops, panels, roundtables, and social networking opportunities throughout the event.
Past speakers include Google’s Senior Procurement Director, Aleck Matambo, and Rod Jahromi, head of COrporate Procurement at ExxonMobil.
4. Procurement Summit 2024
When: June 12-13
Where: Hamburg, Germany
Projected Attendance: 1,600+
Returning for the seventh year, Procurement Summit 2024 promises to continue the event’s legacy of being the premier gathering of procurement professionals in Germany. The two-day event will see a gathering of the leading minds in the German procurement sector, as well as experts and professionals from throughout Europe and beyond. Speakers from Roche, Merz Pharma, Zalando, Mars, and many more of Germany’s leading brands will lead keynotes, panel discussions, and workshops with applicable expertise.
In addition to attracting seasoned veterans of the industry, Procurement Summit also has a reputation for attracting younger experts. These newer members of the industry, according to Susanne Vorberg, Senior Manager of Digital Transformation at Airbus, “are driving forward innovations in their companies”. This, she says, makes for “a wonderful and inspiring mix.”
3. Americas Procurement Congress 2024
When: March 25-27
Where: Miami, Florida
Projected Attendance: 400+
Setting its sights firmly on 2030, this year’s agenda at the America’s Procurement Congress event focuses on answering the question “how do we get the next six years right?” The event has assembled a host of industry experts, scientists, and media luminaries. Over the three-day conference, they will tackle issues ranging from the climate crisis to the rise of AI. The goal of the conference is focused onachieving a future of sustainable growth.
The event is hosted by Elizabeth Bramson-Boudreau, CEO and publisher of MIT Technology Review, and features expert speakers from across the procurement sector, including Karla Jackson, Senior Procurement Executive, Chief Acquisition Officer & Assistant Administrator for the Office of Procurement at NASA; Vitold Horodecki, CPO and VP Americas at CapGemini; and Patricia Miller, Interim CPO at Accenture.
2. ProcureCon Asia
When: July 9-11
Where: Sentosa, Singapore
Projected Attendance: 200+
Bringing together the leading regional experts in procurement and supply chain management throughout APAC, ProcureCon Asia offers attendees access to expert speakers, interactive case studies, streams, new industry research, and networking time.
While most events focus either on direct or indirect procurement, ProcureCon Asia caters to both direct and indirect/services procurement professionals. The event organisers pride themselves on providing unmatched access to diverse perspectives from executive speakers representing a broad range of Fortune 1000 companies from the aerospace, hi-tech, industrial manufacturing, CPG, automotive, and pharmaceutical sectors. Previous speakers have included high level procurement executives from JLL, Standard Chartered Bank, Air Liquide, Accenture, FGV Holdings, and DHL Group.
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1. World Procurement Congress
When: May 14-16
Where: London, UK
Projected Attendance: 800+
The World Procurement Congress has played host to more than 1,100 Chief Procurement Officers over the course of its history. Heading into its 18th year, the event is firmly established as one of the industry’s must-attend functions. The three-day conference blends content, networking, and social interaction opportunities centred around the theme of Horizon 2030. Taking a global view of the decade to come, World Procurement Congress 2024 aims to address the current pain points facing procurement professionals, and how to translate these challenges into opportunities for sustainable growth throughout the remainder of the decade.
Speakers at this year’s event are drawn from the highest levels of procurement teams across a diverse swathe of industries, including Dan Bartel, CPO at Schneider Electric; Anna Spinelli, CPO & Head of Mobility at the DHL Group; Anu Saxena, President & Global Head of Hilton Supply Management; and Adam Weisswasser, CPPO at Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Along with hundreds of other experts and thought leaders, they will provide guidance and insight into the event’s five key themes for discussion: ESG, Partnerships, Resilience, Digitalisation, and Macroeconomics.
DPW has announced it is expanding into North America following the success of its Amsterdam offering.
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DPW has announced it is expanding into North America following the success of its Amsterdam event.
Founders Matthias Gutzmann and Herman Knevel revealed the news via LinkedIn to confirm a move that will see significant growth into new territories.
Gutzmann exclusively told CPOstrategy: “Marking a pivotal moment for DPW, our expansion to the US isn’t just about growing our footprint, it’s about building on our ongoing momentum over the last few years and bringing the enthusiasm and expertise of DPW.
“We aim to bridge procurement organisations with innovative startup founders and change makers, fostering the growth of a digital procurement and supply chain ecosystem in North America.”
Accompanied by a photo of the duo outside Google offices in Silicon Valley, California, he posted on Monday (27th November): “I am currently in #SilliconValley together with Herman Knevel, gearing up for an exciting week filled with meetings with tech giants, founders, visionary partners and future collaborators.
“Having previously led the expansion of Procurement Leaders | A World 50 Group Community into North America, I must say I feel extra energised to bring my experience and strong relationships within the North American market for the benefit of DPW.
“Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on this exciting phase of growth and innovation!”
Founders Matthias Gutzmann and Herman Knevel
Since launching DPW in Amsterdam in 2019, the conference has grown from strength to strength and is now widely regarded as the biggest and most influential tech event in procurement and supply chain on the planet. The conference welcomed over 1,250 procurement professionals with more than 2,500 virtual attendees watching along at home in its 2023 edition in October.
Last year’s event was held at the former stock exchange building, the Beurs van Berlage, with the theme called “Make Tech Work” which focused on turning digital aspirations into a reality. DPW Amsterdam has already been announced for October 9 and 10, 2024, next year.
Further details about DPW North America will be revealed in due course.
Global research and advisory giants Deloitte and DPW has announced a partnership to bring procurement innovation to organisations.
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Deloitte and DPW has announced a partnership to bring procurement innovation to organisations.
Under the terms of this strategic alliance, DPW LABS, the consulting arm of DPW, and Deloitte will work together to refine the boundaries of innovation in procurement.
From problem and strategy definition to proof of concept and deployment, through the DPW LABS innovation capabilities and digital ecosystem and Deloitte’s global transformation capabilities, the move allows for impact to be delivered at scale.
Deloitte is a global provider of audit and assurance, consulting, financial advisory, risk advisory, tax and related services.
The firm, which is a member of the Big Four in professional services, currently has about 330,000 employees in more than 150 countries and territories.
Founded in 2019, DPW stands as a global leader in procurement innovation. DPW LABS empowers organisations to identify and seize collaborative innovation opportunities with DPW’s line-up of pioneering startups, scale-ups, and tech innovation experts.
Herman Knevel, co-founder and co-CEO at DPW, said: “We are excited about this strategic partnership with Deloitte.
“This partnership will enable us to join forces and make tech work, expand and complement our impact at global scale.”
Michiel Junge, partner of sourcing and procurement at Deloitte, added: “We are united in our mission to make procurement awesome.
“The partnership with DPW will enable our clients to tap into DPW’s capabilities and ecosystem and define their procurement future.”
The move comes after DPW welcomed over 1,250 procurement professionals to Amsterdam for its annual conference.
DPW Amsterdam has quickly made its name as a hub of innovation and collaboration. It is one of the biggest and most influential tech events in procurement and supply chain.
CPOstrategy is a proud partner of ProcureCon Asia Transformation is on the lips and minds of every procurement and supply…
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CPOstrategy is a proud partner of ProcureCon Asia
Transformation is on the lips and minds of every procurement and supply chain professional right now. Procurement is increasingly being recognised for its vital role at the core of any business, thanks to the fact that CPOs and other supply chain professionals are executing enormous changes for the benefit of their organisations.
Set to be a major theme at ProcureCon Asia this year, running between the 11th and 13th of July at the Equarius Hotel in Singapore is the topic of transformation. Procurement professionals from all over the globe will come together to share ideas, make connections, and learn more about the profession through interactive learning and keynote speeches from experts.
All hands on deck
Ter Long Tay, Group Director at JTC Corporation, is one of the event’s illustrious speakers. For him, procurement transformation is a necessity, and requires the full support of the entire business.
“Procurement needs to reimagine its purpose and the role it plays,” says Tay. “It must go beyond the traditional efficiency, productivity, and management of procurement lifecycle. Successful transformation entails understanding the business and partnering with stakeholders on the decision-making process and the strategy of the company. It means being able to create value and have a seat at the table.”
Tay himself has a long history of victories in the procurement sphere. Years of experience in the real estate industry and centralised procurement at JTC gave him and his team the opportunity to understand each element of the business and their considerations better, and procurement – hand-in-hand with digitalisation – has been able to offer added value through the knowledge and experience gained from this involvement. Alongside insights gleaned from data, the business has been able to evolve through informed decision-making.
“For example, in a review of our procurement policies for infrastructure development, we were able to achieve a good ratio of partner vendors supporting our business while maintaining a healthy share of new entrants,” says Tay.
“This allows us to achieve a balanced outcome of value for money, business continuity, and industry development. We had intentionally used procurement as a lever to achieve other strategic outcomes, leveraging procurement to test or nudge the market in terms of specific sustainable solutions and investing in R&D for long-term benefit.”
CPOstrategy is a proud media partner of ProcureCon Asia 2023. Quote “CPOSTRATASIA15” for 15% off tickets here.
Woodlands North Coast, JTC
Meeting challenges head-on
Of course, there are often hurdles for procurement professionals to jump in order to successfully implement transformation. No big change is without its challenges, and Tay is experienced enough to understand where the pain points lie. For him, procurement has always been viewed through a certain lens, regardless of whether that lens still fits, and that can hold some businesses back. However, increasingly, the department is being looked to as a value-add creator of change.
“Traditionally, procurement has been viewed as transactional,” Tay explains. “Supporting operations while helping businesses reduce costs and increase profits. Now, companies are looking at procurement to achieve long-term business objectives. Arising from the pandemic, businesses are actively reviewing their supply chains and changing from a ‘just-in-time’ mindset to ‘just-in-case’.
“There is also significant traction regarding sustainability, and procurement is the department supporting new objectives more than ever.”
Seletar Aerospace Park, JTC
Business-procurement collaboration
Tay is bringing all of this expertise to ProcureCon Asia 2023, in order to share his knowledge with his peers and discuss solutions with other procurement professionals. The reason he wanted to speak at the event came from a ‘pay-it-forward’ mindset; he’s benefited enormously from speakers at previous summits sharing their own wisdom, and hopes to help others by sharing his own knowledge.
“I’ll be discussing the aspects of good business-procurement alignment,” Tay says. “Plus, the value procurement brings, how procurement can support the wider business through managing tensions – such as profits, governance, and risk management – as well as sustainability, and whether procurement is a leader or a follower.”
Tay hopes that focusing on business-procurement collaboration will achieve added value for those attending the summit. “Through collaboration within the procurement community, we can cross-pollinate ideas across different industries, encourage each other through success stories and learn from mistakes. We never walk alone in our procurement transformation journeys.”
For himself, Tay hopes to have the opportunity to network with his peers and continue gaining useful information and insights, as he has at previous events. “I want to learn from the best-in-class in the procurement community,” he concludes.
ProcureCon Asia is the leading procurement summit gathering and connecting CPOs and Heads of Procurement from the biggest companies in Asia. ProcureCon Asia 2023 will be happening from 11 – 13 July at the Equarius Hotel, Singapore. To learn more, click here.
The Top Procurement Events for the first quarter of 2023.
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Top Procurement Events for 2023
Hear from industry experts and keep up-to-date with the latest innovation in procurement by adding these upcoming, must visit, procurement events to your calendar in the first quarter of 2023.
ICSCM2023, 4th International Conference on Supply Chain Management
Macau, China | 13-15 January 2023
This academic conference – co-located with the International Conference on Computers in Management and Business – describes its main purpose as providing an international platform for presenting and publishing the latest scientific research outcomes on supply chain management. There will be opportunities for delegates to exchange new ideas, and to network with others, alongside the conference sessions. There is an optional tour, still to be confirmed, on the third day of the event.
Keynote speakers include Fugee TSUNG, Professor, HKUST (Guangzhou), Hong Kong, and Kwong Meng Teo, Senior Scientist, Huawei Technologies, 2012 Research Labs, China.
8th Annual Strategic Sourcing & Procurement MENA Summit
Dubai, UAE 24-25 | January 2023
Another hybrid event, the Strategic Sourcing & Procurement MENA Summit will offer delegates information on addressing current procurement challenges, focusing on areas such as category management, cost optimisation and risk mitigation. There will be case studies and discussions on e-procurement, plus solutions-based sessions on leadership in procurement.
Speakers will include experts from leading banks, telecoms, airlines, hotels, retailers, and other cross-industry companies, such as Emmanuel Augustin, Vice President Supply Chain Management | CPO, Dubai Airports and Kazim Duman, Director of Procurement, Rixos Hotels.
The agenda will cover:
Building a Sustainable Future
Risk Mitigation and Management
Prioritizing ESG: Procurement’s Role in Standardizing Sustainability
Cost Reduction and Value Generation
Talent Development and Acquisition Role in Strategic Sourcing and Procurement
From Good to Great in Digital Transformation
Leadership in Procurement Management
The Future of the Strategic Sourcing and Procurement
Held at the QEII Centre in central London, Procurement Futures is a new conference, launching in 2023. It promises delegates the chance to find out how to make supply chains more resilient, with thought-provoking and presentations and discussions designed to inform and inspire.
There is a flexible programme of content that can be tailored to attendees’ preferences, with networking opportunities throughout and a huge variety of sessions to attend and take part in. This CIPS event has three streams of content: Insights, Ignite and Interact. Insights will showcase presentations and panel discussions from leaders, Ignite will consist of hands-on workshops to help delegates optimise their procurement strategies and Interact will be smaller groups taking part in interactive roundtables and debates.
Speakers across the two days will include Ross Grierson, Director of Procurement, Primark; Patrick Dunne, Director of Group Property, FM & Procurement (CPO), Sainsburys Plc; Rebecca Simpson, Procurement and Supply Chain Director, Balfour Beatty; and Nick Jenkinson, Chief Procurement Officer, Santander.
In addition, delegates are able to book a one-to-one career workshop, where they’ll get advice on professional development from coaches covering a variety of specialisms.
The third World Digital Procurement Summit is aimed at procurement directors, VPs, managers and other industry specialists. The two-day event will focus on accelerating procurement processes, adopting emerging technologies, finding the right talent, overcoming the barriers to progress and embarking on a journey of transformation. It’s a hybrid event, bringing together procurement experts from various industries, which will maximise knowledge exchange opportunities. The event organisers list five key learning points for delegates:
Exploring the latest advances in data and cognitive technologies to gain greater insights and improve procurement processes
Overhauling the procurement ecosystem with new technologies and strategies to drive business value
Sharing the best practices of monitoring and managing a range of risks to hedge against future disruptions
Developing capabilities and skillsets required for the digital transformation of procurement
Defining ESG metrics of the procurement strategy to ensure business continuity
Speakers will include Paul Harlington, Group Procurement Director at TUI Group and Patrick Foelck, Head of Strategy and Transformation Procurement at Roche.
Returning for its 8th annual event, Women in Procurement & Supply Chain will deliver two days dedicated to leadership and the future of procurement. The event will feature a series of exclusive panel discussions and keynote addresses examining career development, overcoming imposter syndrome, working with confidence, developing an unbeatable talent pool, mentoring, diversity and inclusivity. It will also address risk mitigation, digital disruption, ESG, sustainability, economic development, ethical sourcing, category management, cultural diversity, strategic sourcing, supplier relationships, procurement with purpose, and supply chain resilience. There are two pre-conference masterclass options on 6 March – that can be booked separately – covering either contract law or leadership skills.
Some of the reasons to attend include:
Discover the path to taking your procurement career to a new level while elevating your organisation with dedicated days on leadership and the future of procurement
Learn best practice strategies to facedown supply chain vulnerabilities and reduce risk exposure
Get ahead of the game with insights into the future of procurement and the impact of globalisation on modern supply chains
Put yourself at the cutting edge of ESG and procurement with the latest updates and trends in procurement with purpose
Speakers for the main two-day conference include Michelle Richard, Director of Procurement, Thales; Karina Davies, Chief Procurement Officer, icare NSW; and Kylie McKinlay, Procurement Partner – Property and Business, Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
With a focus on what makes CPOs tick, the Americas Procurement Congress will feature the region’s most progressive CPOs sharing their expertise in keynote presentations and working groups. Giving delegates the tools to stay on the cutting edge of procurement developments, there are also sessions aimed at those with responsibilities over governance, procurement capabilities and quantifying data. Unsurprisingly, sustainability will also be a key theme in 2023, and attendees will hear from a diverse range of sustainability leaders about how to transition from traditional metrics to a purpose-driven function.
The agenda for Americas Procurement Congress 2023 will include:
Sustainability of the future
How to transition from traditional metrics to a purpose-driven function
Harnessing the power of digital transformation
Utilizing data as a driver of sustainable value, supply continuity and transparency
Agile procurement
New approaches and skills that facilitate speed and agility
Frictionless procurement
Removing friction from the procurement process to support high-velocity sourcing
Beyond Just in Time
Designing future-fit supply networks for an age of chaos and conflict
