Supply chain managers gain Latin American expertise at FIU conference.

With so many global economic and political uncertainties coming into play in the course of doing business, supply chain managers face an increasingly challenging environment. At the 2012 Inter-American Supply Chain Forum, held at Florida International University (FIU) last month, participants learned valuable information about overcoming these obstacles and achieving success.

“Supply Chain Management Analytics: Driving Latin American Companies to the Next Performance Level” was presented by the College of Business Administration’s Ryder Center for Supply Chain Management in partnership with the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business from Trinidad and Tobago. The event attracted over 100 academic, business and government participants.

Supply Chain audience — More than 100 supply chain professionals attended the two-day conference.

Business solutions employing supply chain analytics were charted, along with how to best address security issues in Mexico and Central America, environmental issues and port competition in the wake of the Panama Canal expansion.

“Our key purpose was to show businesses how supply chain processes and operations can take their businesses to the next level,” said Walfried Lassar, director of the Ryder Center and conference chair.

Keynote speakers included Honorable Anil Ramnanan, consul general in South Florida, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago; Cesar Bueno, trade and investment commissioner of Mexico in South Florida; and Conrad Enill, former minister of energy, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

New partnerships begin at conference.

“This is a great platform to launch what the supply chain field is evolving into, and to explore how Latin American countries can be part of the regional effort to create value,” said Felipe Fernandez, director of supply chain at Experiencias Xcaret located at the Riviera Maya in Mexico, and former senior supply chain manager at Cotemar.

One of the key benefits of the conference, held March 15-16, 2012, was the opportunity to forge new partnerships and create a network for ongoing discussion and collaboration.

Joyce J. Elam, executive dean of the College of Business Administration, welcomed the participants.

“We have established a partnership with the Arthur Lok Jack graduate school for future supply chain activities,” Lassar said. “It is one of the biggest schools in the Caribbean, and among the most innovative in the region. We also have invigorated the professional community by bringing all professional organizations in the supply chain management arena together for this event.”