Page 27 - Logistics News - September - October 2021

S A P I CS C O NF E R E NC E

keep learning, growing and sharing knowledge; to the learning and networking, there were fun
so that we can get through COVID-19 and the activities, competitions and quizzes. A selfie
associated supply chain challenges that still lie competition was sponsored by Goscor Lift Trucks,
ahead, and to ensure that we are ready for whatever OpenText arranged a caricaturist and CHEP used the
other disruptions and crises the future holds,” event as an opportunity to give back to those less
Schoemaker stresses. fortunate, donating 500 fruit trees to a school for
underprivileged children.
The SAPICS Conference is Africa’s leading event
for supply chain professionals, and according to The Brain of the ASCA Nation Quiz was won
Schoemaker it has gone from strength to strength by Brad Davies, who received a complimentary
since the very first conference was organised for registration to the 2021 Smart Procurement World
35 delegates in 1975. “This year’s conference was a Indaba, which took place in September, registration
virtual one due to the ongoing pandemic, but that for the Africa Supply Chain in Action (ASCA)
did not detract from its importance and the value 2021 event on 20 and 21 October and a free EQ
of the powerful presentations from 85 local and (Emotional Quotient) Assessment from People Shop.
international speakers.”
The conference received a unanimous nod of
In addition to the conference, the event approval from delegates. Business transformation
featured an exhibition where multiple exhibitors expert and author Sean Culey commented: “Well
showcased products and services. The state-of-the- done Team SAPICS! Smashed it out of the park once
art conference platform used by SAPICS enabled again!”
delegates to spend time with the exhibitors and
to connect with like-minded professionals in the “This year was really amazing,” said Annette
networking lounge. Naude, general manager, Pharmaceuticals &
Healthcare at DSV Panalpina.
The principal sponsor of this year’s SAPICS
Conference was global technology consulting firm This year’s virtual event made it possible for
Accenture. The event’s Diamond sponsors were some delegates who may not have been able to
OpenText, Eazi Access and SAS Institute. Fleet travel to an in-person conference to benefit from
and asset tracking specialists Locus and Imperial an exceptional programme, Schoemaker says. “This
supported the conference as Gold sponsors, while was a COVID silver lining for some delegates.
the 2021 Silver sponsors were CHEP, Goscor and the Content wise, I believe this was one of the strongest
Demand Driven Institute. programmes we have ever put together. The 2021
SAPICS Conference exceeded all expectations, and we
“We are enormously grateful to our sponsors, have received extremely positive delegate feedback.”
whose support enabled us to bring the supply
chain community together at this critical time to The topics covered included digital
share knowledge and experience, and to learn from transformation, supply chain risk and resiliency,
each other to ensure that global supply chains are leadership development, sustainability and the
perpetually resilient and able to keep the world circular economy, healthcare, public sector supply
turning,” says Schoemaker. chains, transformation and gender diversity. L O GI S T I CS NEWS

This year’s SAPICS Conference proved that The 2022 SAPICS Conference is planned for 12 to
online does not have to be boring. In addition 15 June at Century City, Cape Town. •

www .l o g ist i csn e w s .c o .z a SEP T E MB E R/O CT O B E R 2021 25