ISM-Twin Cities, Inc.

Are you ready to expand your network and make meaningful connections? Our virtual speed networking event is the perfect opportunity to meet new people within our growing membership community. In just one hour, you'll have the chance to engage in dynamic, one-on-one conversations with fellow members, exchange ideas, and build valuable relationships. Whether you're looking to collaborate, share insights, or simply make new friends, this is your networking power hour!

Don't miss out on this fun and interactive experience. Come prepared to connect, converse, and create lasting connections.

In today’s fast-evolving manufacturing landscape, sustainability is no longer a side initiative — it’s a competitive advantage. From carbon reporting pressures to material efficiency goals, suppliers now sit at the center of every company’s green transformation. Yet, building and scaling an effective supplier sustainability program can be time-consuming and complex.

This session will explore how leading companies are using AI to engage suppliers, uncover high-ROI cost reduction projects, and accelerate progress across all sustainability targets — from emissions, waste, and energy to biodiversity and beyond. We’ll show how AI can help teams move from data overload to decisive action — building a more resilient, profitable, and greener supply chain in minutes, not months.

This action-based workshop will guide participants through creating a tailored 30-day action plan to operationalize a turnkey supplier sustainability program. Attendees will also receive a list of 50+ sustainability project ideas proven to reduce costs while advancing 3–5 key sustainability targets.

You'll Learn:

E-Sourcing is Not Evil – Bringing Negotiation Back into Procurement

As 2026 draws near, Procurement teams are working hard to find new avenues to deliver savings and offset supplier price increases. The use of E-Sourcing tools, properly applied, can be an important element of your negotiation strategy to drive successful results.

In this session, Janice Marquardt, SVP Procurement, will talk about why e-auctions are worth considering as a way to bring negotiation back into your sourcing cycle. Expect a short presentation followed by some time to discuss the stigma and opportunity e-auctions represent along with some time for troubleshooting. Bring the categories/real-world bids giving you trouble and let’s figure out if an e-auction might get you the value you need.

Janice will be covering the following key points:

•        What is an e-auction?

•        E-auction math (what kind of value should you expect?)

•        Myths and truths

•        Buyer and supplier benefits

•        Opportunities beyond price

•        Building buy-in

•        E-auctions and tariffs