Over the past six years, supply chain executives have convened on the Georgia Tech campus for meetings of the Georgia Tech Supply Chain Executive Forum. Addressing key supply chain issues, the forum brings together up to forty executives from more than two dozen supply chain organizations for two days of discussion on a host of supply chain issues, problems, and challenges.

"Members and guests of the forum benefit from hearing leading industry speakers, both in plenary session and panel formats, and from discussing and debating key issues and supply chain best practices,* said C. John Langley, PhD, director of the forum and a professor of supply chain management at Georgia Tech. "Also, time is usually taken for executive breakout sessions for close-in interaction with others at the forum. A reception and dinner also help significantly with networking and interaction among members, guests, and Georgia Tech faculty and students.*

This important activity of the Supply Chain & Logistics Institute is held in the spring and fall at Georgia Tech's Global Learning Center in Midtown Atlanta. The two-day gatherings are designed to provide participants with new and practical ways to streamline operations that enhance profitability and integrate their supply chain strategy with corporate strategy, according to Langley. In addition, information presented at the forum helps them "transform their supply chains to respond to competition and changing business environments, as well as to grow professionally within and beyond their current organizations.* He added, "True supply chain integration occurs only when organizations work together effectively toward mutually agreeable goals and objectives.*

The Supply Chain Executive Forum attracts management professionals from the full range of companies that constitute and depend heavily upon robust and innovative supply chains. Included among the members are manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, wholesalers, transport providers, information technology firms, and consultants.

The topics discussed and presented at any particular forum have changed over the years to reflect the contemporary realities of business and supply chain environments. A few subjects of current interest include: globalization, inte*grated supply chain management, information technology, dealing with supply chain complexity, sustainability, and managing through challenging business environments.

According to Langley, there are many benefits of participation in the forum. Of particular note, he said, "first it is a great opportunity for decision makers to listen and talk with experts from various areas of supply chain and business management. And second, it provides an opportunity for members and guests to interact with peers at other supply chain organizations who are either facing similar problems or who have complementary perspectives and solutions to common problems.*

For more information about the Supply Chain Executive Forum, contact: John Langley at jlangley@isye.gatech.edu, Carole Bennett at carole.bennett@isye.gatech.edu, or visit www.scl.gatech.edu/scef.