On Might 1, 2025, sourcing and procurement professionals gathered within the coronary heart of Silicon Valley for the San Francisco Bay Space SIG One-Day Regional Occasion. This unique gathering introduced collectively a powerhouse group of buy-side leaders for a day of benchmarking, thought sharing, and peer-driven insights. With a full agenda of thought-provoking displays and collaborative classes, attendees left with new methods to drive worth in an more and more complicated procurement panorama.
The day kicked off with a dynamic Govt Roundtable, the place senior leaders mentioned contract administration transformation, real-time use circumstances of AI in procurement, and the way contracting intelligence helps groups proactively handle danger and efficiency. Shannon Kirk Nakamoto (Director, Trade Advisory, Icertis) facilitated this invite-only session, drawing from Icertis’ world knowledge to spark high-level dialogue on how procurement can lead innovation by smarter contracts. The room buzzed with concepts, questions, and collaborative power—it was an energizing begin to the day!
After the roundtable, all attendees convened for a Networking Lunch, then launched right into a packed afternoon of insight-rich displays and discussions.
Key Displays and Discussions
Lions and Tigers and Tariffs, Oh My! What’s the Actual Influence? – Linda Chuan (Chief Procurement Officer, Field) offered a well timed and insightful dialogue on the geopolitical and financial forces influencing procurement—from tariffs to produce chain disruption. Her session helped attendees assume strategically in regards to the long-term impacts of coverage and world shifts on sourcing technique.
Procurement 3.0: Drive Strategic Change By means of Procurement Orchestration – Dan DeVall (Head of P2P Enterprise Improvement, Zip) led a compelling session on the facility of orchestration in as we speak’s procurement panorama. Drawing from Forrester analysis and real-world examples, he highlighted how AI, integration, and person expertise are remodeling procurement right into a extra strategic, agile perform.
Surviving the Squeeze: Contract Intelligence for Price Pressures – Alex Yakubovich (CEO & Co-founder, Levelpath) and Mari Carmichael (Head of Options Consulting, Levelpath) delivered a fast-paced and sensible session on utilizing contract intelligence to handle price pressures. From automation to smarter decision-making, they explored how fashionable instruments are unlocking financial savings and mitigating danger.
IT Sourcing 2025: Dynamics, Challenges, and Alternatives – Emily Shapiro (Chief Industrial Officer, NPI) provided a forward-looking view into how procurement can higher handle the rising complexity of IT sourcing. She outlined actionable steps to drive smarter tech investments and optimize provider partnerships within the digital age.
Don’t Ask for a Seat on the Desk…Earn It – Nathan Haydn-Myer (Chief Procurement Officer, VSP Imaginative and prescient) impressed attendees to assume in a different way about affect and management. He shared real-world insights into what it takes to realize credibility with the C-suite—and methods to be prepared when you’re there.
A Procurement Journey at a 99-12 months-Previous Begin-Up – Elissa Ouyang (Vice President of Amenities, Fleet & Procurement, California Water Service Firm) shared the distinctive transformation journey of a legacy group embracing fashionable sourcing methods. Her story underscored how procurement could be each a steward of custom and a driver of innovation.
At all times a crowd favourite, the Breakout Roundtable Discussions gave attendees the prospect to dive deep into shared challenges and alternate options in small-group settings. With subjects starting from provider danger and digital transformation to expertise growth and stakeholder engagement, these peer-led conversations ensured that each voice was heard and sensible takeaways have been shared.
Within the afternoon, a contemporary popcorn break gave everybody a second to refuel and recharge—as a result of good concepts go finest with a aspect of buttery goodness.
The occasion concluded with temporary closing remarks that highlighted key takeaways from the day, and attendees departed with new connections, renewed power, and clear methods for elevating their procurement features.
From insightful classes to genuine networking, the San Francisco One-Day Occasion delivered precisely what procurement leaders want: contemporary considering, neighborhood help, and tangible subsequent steps.
Don’t Miss Out on Future SIG Occasions!
In case you couldn’t make it to San Francisco, don’t fear—there are extra alternatives forward to be taught, join, and develop in your procurement profession.
- One-Day Regional Occasions:Be a part of us in cities throughout the nation for extra unique networking and studying alternatives.
- SIG Summits: Our Govt Summits convey collectively procurement leaders for deep-dive discussions and high-value networking.
- SIG College Semester Begin Dates:Advance your procurement experience with SIG College’s certification applications and topic-based programs, hosted just about.
- July 14, 2025
- August 25, 2025
- October 13, 2025
- Digital Webinars:Entry insights from trade specialists on trending procurement subjects. View upcoming webinars right here.
