General Colin Powell & David Cameron headline ISM2017

06-Jan-2017 - Last updated on 06-Jan-2017 at 12:05 GMT

Former UK PM David Cameron and General Colin Powell to speak at ISM2017. Pic: ©iStock/Kritchanut

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) has announced General Colin Powell and former UK Prime Minister David Cameron will headline ISM2017 as keynote speakers.

The event, which focuses on ‘Critical Insights, Powerful Results’, will be held at Disney Coronado Springs Resort, Orlando, Florida (May 21-24). It is expected to attract 3,000 attendees and includes 75 interactive sessions.

Leadership during crisis

Tom Derry, CEO, ISM, said General Powell is no stranger to delivering short term supply solutions - and leadership - during a time of crisis.

As former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Powell assembled a multi-billion dollar supply chain involving 42 nations during Operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf.

Powell and his team pulled together millions of coordinated supplies: military goods, machinery, food, weaponry and critical spare parts.

General Powell will inspire attendees with stories of leadership under fire - and how to deliver complex supply systems when facing immovable deadlines.

“As Secretary of State, General Powell used the power of diplomacy to build trust and forge alliances, while having the grit and experience forged by his military career in delivering results when it matters most,” said Derry.

“Powell’s insight will be critical to ISM members and other purchasing and supply chain professionals as they focus on the challenges of working in a tough, ever-changing global economy.”

Google, Pfizer, Direct Energy

As well as themes on managing change during turbulent times, other speakers at the event include Google, Toyota, Pfizer, Direct Energy and Zimmer Biomet.

David Cameron, former UK Prime Minister, stepped down from the position in 2016 in the wake of the Brexit decision.

He will talk to conference attendees about his experience navigating geopolitical and public policy issues, and their impact on the global supply chain by addressing a range of events in Europe and worldwide, and what they could mean to supply managers.

ISM was founded in 1915 and serves supply management professionals in more than 90 countries. Its 50,000 members around the world manage about $1trn in corporate and government supply chain procurement annually.