Today at #ISMWorld2025: Charity Challenge Builds Playhouses and Teamwork

Having completed their shift in the ballroom at the Rosen Single Creek resort on Sunday, the team from Fortive Corporation made sure to pose for a picture in front of their handiwork.

The five employees of the industrial technology company typically work on projects more complex than the pink playhouse behind them, but they nonetheless were satisfied in a job well done during the Team Charity Challenge at ISM World 2025, Institute for Supply Management^®’s (ISM^®) Annual Conference.

The Fortive team worked on a princess-themed house, one of four built during the Challenge that were provided by Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County, ISM’s charity partner during the Conference.

“We took our screwdrivers and got right to work,” said Heather Shilt, director of global logistics at Fortive. “It was really great to know that this playhouse is going to go to a (needy) family, and each child got to pick the theme.”

The teamwork time was especially valuable for the Fortive group, Shilt said, because the members work in locations around the country, with some meeting their colleagues in person for the first time at the Conference.

The others were two space-themed houses and one race car-based. They will be presented to the families during Tuesday’s Closing General Session.

Lissy Houseman, director of development at Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County, said the playhouses help the nonprofit organization — best known for building or repairing homes in needy communities or those stricken by natural disasters — expand its philanthropy specifically to children.

ISM World 2025 was Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County’s second playhouse building event, Houseman said. The organization hopes to build at least four playhouses a month.

Casting a Wide Networking Net

Networking — meeting new acquaintances, catching up with former and current co-workers, and sharing discussions on issues, challenges and trends — is always one of the highlights of the Conference.

This year’s event featured four simultaneous hour-long networking sessions on Sunday: one geared to first-time/single attendees, another for the Women’s Supply Management Community, an industry and regional networking session, and a fourth for executive VIPs.

The first time/singles event was moderated by Jim Fleming, CPSM, CPSD, ISM’s Manager of Product Development and Innovation, who explained the ins and outs of ISM World 2025: what to expect, learn and make the most of at Conference; ISM’s history; how to use the app; supply management’s value to an organization, and more.

“We’re starting technology in the personal interactions we have,” he said, referring to the Conference’s smart ID badges, which allow attendees to quickly capture contact information for those they meet.

The Women’s Supply Management Community broke into smaller groups, which discussed several subjects. One group discussed tips for interviewing for a new job. Suggestions included:

• Use LinkedIn to build a network within a company before accepting a position
• Contact alumni from your college who work for the company you’re interviewing with and ask their thoughts about working there
• Observe the body language of the interviewer when giving answers
• Remember that no question is stupid
• Questions show you are motivated.

ISM Board Meets at Conference

The ISM Board of Directors heard progress reports from ISM’s Nominating, Finance and Human Resources & Compensation Committees during its meeting on Sunday at the Rosen Shingle Creek resort.

The Nominating, Finance, and Human Resources & Compensation Committees provided a report to the Board of their progress since the last meeting.

Also, the Board:

• Voted on the Nominating Committee’s slate of Board candidates for the 2025 ballot; that election opens in July
• Discussed the financial outlook and planning process for fiscal year (FY) 2026
• Reviewed progress on ISM’s FY 2025 strategies
• Discussed preparations for ISM World events.

Copies of meeting minutes and appendixes are available at ismworld.org — select “About ISM,” then “Governance” — within 90 days of the meeting. They are also available by emailing Kristen Moreno at kmoreno@ismworld.org.

The next meeting of the ISM Board of Directors is a virtual meeting on August 28.

Monday’s Highlights

Kevin O’Leary, the straight-talking business leader from “Shark Tank,” highlights the Opening General Session at 9 a.m. ET with a keynote on leadership, risk and creating supply chain value.

Also:

• Breakout sessions continue, with the main topics risk and resilience, sustainability, and digital transformation, 11 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
• R. Gene Richter Scholarship Luncheon (invitation only), 1:15 p.m.
• Best practices panels featuring ISM Trailblazers Awards winners, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Spark Conversations, 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
• ISM International Student Case Competition, 3 p.m.
• ISM Awards Gala (ticket required), 7 p.m.

For a detailed agenda, click here.

(Photo credit: Yannick Apers Photography)