Take the Stage at ISM World 2026

When the objective is to lower cost and prevent supplier price increases, world-class organizations look closely at what and how they buy. Those involved in the Supply and Contracting activities are critical contributors to the organization ability to achieve high-level performance and will bring dramatic bottom line impact when equipped with the skills to both resist supplier price increases and identify and implement savings opportunities in today volatile marketplace.

Whether you’re actively job seeking, positioning yourself for a promotion, or simply wanting to strengthen your professional presence, standing out has never been more critical. If you’ve ever applied to dozens of jobs and heard nothing back, you’re not alone. Today’s market is flooded with qualified applicants, and resumes vanish into black holes. The problem isn’t your ability — it’s how the system works, and how you’re positioning yourself within it. Being “good on paper” isn’t enough. You’re not competing against a job description; you’re competing against other professionals you may never meet, and many of them look just as qualified as you.

In this interactive session, executive recruiter and former corporate leader Aaron Cleavinger, CPSM, C.P.M. pulls back the curtain on how hiring decisions are actually made — and why highly capable professionals are too often overlooked.

You'll learn how to:

• Differentiate Yourself Clearly — show exactly why you’re the best choice and stop blending in with other qualified candidates.
• Understand How Recruiters Really Work — see how shortlists are built, why great candidates get overlooked, and how to rise to the top.
• Turn Connections into Champions — build a network that actively opens doors, rather than an impressive list of occasional contacts.
• Control the Story Before Others Do — shape your reputation on LinkedIn, on paper, and in person so decision-makers see your value immediately.

  This is not theory. Aaron brings live insights from the executive searches he’s running today, plus practical steps you can apply immediately. Expect candid advice, behind-the-scenes perspective, so you leave encouraged, confident, and armed with actionable steps to stand out and seize new opportunities.

Negotiation skills not only influence individual purchases, but also business relationships. It is an exploratory and communication process that identifies interests, walkaway alternatives and options. This course will hone your negotiation skills and build a foundation of knowledge enabling you to provide the best outcome for your organization.