CIPS MENA Conference 2024: Uniting Experts In Procurement And Supply Chain

The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) hosted its annual MENA Conference at the Hilton Riyadh Hotel on the 16th of May, 2024, marking an unprecedented gathering for the institute with 1200 delegates in attendance. This event, the largest of its kind in the institute's near century-long history, served as a pivotal platform for procurement professionals across the Middle East and North Africa to converge, share insights, and address the critical challenges within their field.

Sam Achampong, the Managing Director of CIPS MENA, emphasized the significance of the conference in light of current global challenges. He highlighted the essential role of procurement and supply chain professionals in devising solutions and guiding organizations through emerging pressures. "With today's political, economic, and social challenges, the need to delve down into the most pressing issues for our profession is vital," Achampong stated, underscoring the conference's success in elevating participants' industry knowledge and understanding.

A notable feature of the conference was the panel discussion titled 'How I got a seat at the table… and stayed there,' which provided insights into the value of procurement in the workplace. Panelists included Cassie Mackie from Etihad Aviation Group, Ahmad Albloushi from AlMarai, Abdullah AlOsaimi from Ma'Aden, and Ben Goodwin, formerly of Siam City Cement Group, who shared their experiences and strategies for showcasing procurement's critical role.

Beyond panel discussions, the conference offered seminars on various pertinent topics such as building a credible procurement brand in the Middle East, effective leadership during times of rapid change, and strategies for retaining top talent in the future workforce. These sessions aimed at equipping professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of the modern procurement landscape.

The evening's Excellence in Procurement Awards ceremony was another highlight, celebrating exceptional individuals and teams who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the procurement profession. With categories ranging from Best Procurement Transformation Programme to Outstanding People Development Programme, the awards attracted a record number of nominations. Over 380 attendees celebrated the industry's achievements at the awards dinner, reflecting the event's significant impact on the regional procurement community. "Procurement is one of the most critical departments within a company, so it is more important than ever to recognise and celebrate those who go above and beyond," Achampong remarked, praising the high level of nominations and the opportunity to honor excellence within the profession.

The CIPS MENA Conference 2024 not only provided a vital forum for discussing industry trends and challenges but also celebrated the achievements and resilience of procurement professionals in the region. For more information on the conference and a full list of Excellence in Procurement Awards winners, interested parties are encouraged to visit the official conference website.