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For Immediate Release

Inventory/Supply Chain Management Professionals Transform Challenges into Opportunities at 2003 APICS International Conference and Exposition

Alexandria, VA (October 16, 2003) Educational and networking opportunities, top professionals offering business solutions, and demonstrations of the leading-edge products and services highlighted the annual conference of APICS—The Educational Society for Resource Management in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 6-9.

"The innovative and interactive educational opportunities provided the 3,500 conference attendees with the practical, real-world solutions necessary to face the challenges in their workplace," said Bob Collins, CFPIM, CIRM, APICS president.

Lawrence J. Ellison, chairman and CEO of Oracle Corporation, focused on the information-driven global supply chain in his general session address. Pat Croce, co-owner of the Philadelphia 76ers, pointed out that the relevance of good customer service comes from a positive attitude and clear communication. Hilton Hotels Corporation General Manager, Anthony Nieves, presented his company's supply chain management philosophy from procurement of goods and services, to renovation, to logistics.

Mark Baker, senior vice president, operations, for Steelcase, Inc., detailed his company's success employing user observation techniques to drive innovation and improvement. "Being in tune with your customer and aware of the needs of your company's employees help create more productive workplaces. It's a matter of awareness," said Baker.

Barry Gibbons, former CEO of Burger King, and the Afterburners, top military fighter pilots, rounded out the featured speakers.

More than 100 educational sessions addressed emerging trends, lean strategies, operations and inventory management, personal and professional development, process improvement, procurement, project management, small business issues, and supply chain management and systems.

The exposition hosted more than 125 exhibitors and sponsors that provided conference attendees with solutions to their software, systems, services, and information technology needs. Solutions providers addressed e-commerce and c-commerce solutions, supply chain management, MRP/ERP, electronic data collection, planning and scheduling, training, CRM, systems integration, human resources, and business consulting.

MAPICS, Inc., of Alpharetta, Georgia, a global provider of collaborative, extended enterprise applications for manufacturers, was recognized for its contributions and performance excellence in the Solutions Provider category at the APICS Poster Presentation Pavilion. MAPICS' submission acknowledged a partnership between a solutions provider and a corporate customer where the solution increased the company's success.

APICS also introduced its newest educational product, SupplyChain Terminology Pro: Your Interactive Guide to Supply Chain Language and Concepts CD-ROM, a unique tool illustrating more than 1,000 terms from the APICS Dictionary, 10th edition, and containing all 3,500 terms and definitions from the industry standard publication for inventory and supply chain management professionals.

Arnold E. Kennedy, CFPIM, CIRM, Jonah, partner and vice president of operations services for Visionary Oasis, a consulting firm specializing in strategic planning and executive management consulting, was named 2004 APICS president, taking office January 1. The APICS 2004 International Conference and Exposition will be held October 10-13 in San Diego, California.

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APICS—The Educational Society for Resource Management provides lifelong learning for lifetime success through its certification programs, training tools, and networking opportunities. The society supports nearly 60,000 members in 20,000 manufacturing and service industries worldwide. To learn more about the APICS community, visit www.apics.org.