The College of Charleston will host the first South Carolina Supply Chain Summit 0n March 22, 2013 in the School of Business Beatty Center (5 Liberty Street).
The summit will draw industry experts and academic leaders together to share and discuss opportunities to drive the state’s capabilities, talent resources, and research in supply chain business and engineering management. The summit is designed to enhance the state’s economic future and better position South Carolina as a world-class leader in supply chain capabilities.
Several public universities and colleges in South Carolina offer programs in aspects of supply chain operations from business management and marketing to industrial process engineering. Through this annual summit, business leaders will learn about undergraduate and graduate programs, professional certificate programs, and the latest research offered through the participating universities. In addition, corporate panelists will share some of their capabilities in supply chain operations and the need for possible research and workforce talent.
“A statewide Summit is an opportunity to cross-collaborate and transfer knowledge among industry and higher education leaders with supply chain and logistics disciplines,” says Robert M. Hitt III, South Carolina Secretary of Commerce. “With its long history in supply chain management education, the College of Charleston is well-positioned to spearhead the first such summit of its kind in the state.”
“The College of Charleston recognizes that supply chain infrastructure and resource capabilities are economic drivers that differentiate South Carolina and serve as catalysts for more companies to relocate or expand in our thriving state,” says Alan Shao, dean of the School of Business. “While we have much to be proud of in our state’s supply chain capabilities and services, we have the opportunity to improve our assets through academic-industry partnerships that enable collaboration, quality education, research, and shared practices.”
The day’s events include a keynote speech by Secretary Hitt and a lunchtime feature presentation by S.C. State Ports Authority President and CEO Jim Newsome. In addition to an academic panel, there will also be three corporate/industry panels: Port, Ground Transportation and Warehousing; Medium Size Companies; and Large Companies. The agenda will conclude with a discussion facilitated by Jody Encarnation, a corporate consultant and researcher, on the next steps needed to bridge academic strengths with industry needs in order to build the talent resources, job skills, and research knowledge needed in South Carolina.
Current supporters and sponsors of this event are the S.C. State Ports Authority, the S.C. Department of Commerce, Michelin North America, and the BMW Manufacturing Co. Agency, company, and higher education representatives who are interested in supply chain resources and capabilities are welcome to register for the Summit. For more information or to register, visit go.cofc.edu/summit.
Contact Sandy Funk, director of external relations and marketing, School of Business, regarding questions at krezmienfunks@cofc.edu or 843.953.2035.
