Inside Supply Management Magazine

#ISM2017: Magic Tweetdom

May 22, 2017

In time, we'll find out if the 2017 edition of ISM®’s Annual International Supply Management Conference is the biggest ever. However, if Monday's Twitter activity is of any indication, ISM2017 at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is on pace to shatter supply management social-media records.

Inside Supply Management® asked Conference attendees, presenters and exhibitors to make liberal use of the #ISM2017 hashtag, and they delivered. We collected enough tweets to fill three days' worth of entries; however, we'll stick with our favorites and encourage Conference-goers to keep posting. We'll compile and present the best tweets from Tuesday and Wednesday as well.

The Magic Kingdom lifted the lid on ISM2017 in style on Sunday night, during a Welcome Party at Epcot that culminated with fireworks — and featured Disney's multi-colored glowing ice cubes that, I can confirm, are not just for kids.

The event got down to business on Monday, after Institute for Supply Management® CEO Tom Derry and Conference attendees were welcomed by their host — who, one could say, used a comical attempt at logistics to introduce himself to the world.

The biggest dignitary on Monday was General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.). During his keynote address, Powell (1) discussed the procurement and logistics efforts that helped the U.S. win the Persian Gulf War and (2) shared thoughts on such current international issues as trade and geopolitical turbulence.

The future of procurement took a bow with the 30 Under 30 Rising Supply Chain Stars, a program sponsored by ISM and ThomasNet.com.

The breakout sessions offered content to make anyone's Mickey ears perk up.

The Exhibit Hall was bustling, and the smiles and sense of humor of good procurement people are always among the best sights at an ISM Annual Conference.

And finally, here's perhaps the day's best Exhibit Hall experience. We trust this echoes her feelings on the Conference as a whole.