ISM-Twin Cities, Inc.

A Chapter of the Institute for Supply Management working together to advance the profession of supply management.

Leading Supply Chain Management Professionals

Welcome to our ISM—Twin Cities website. It should be your first stop for registering for meetings and learning what we are up to!

In the Twin Cities chapter, we have around 500 sourcing professionals in our membership, and we strive to bring everyone significant value in their professional and personal development.

We offer a mix of events using both in-person and virtual approaches. Our virtual events are conducted on Zoom so you can access them from anywhere.

If you have not already done so, bookmark this site so it is handy for you when you are looking for information about ISM. Please reach out to us at info@ism-twincities.org org with any input or questions you have.

Upcoming Events

March

24

2026

MEMBER WEBINAR
Member Only

Creating Resilience and Sustainability: Navigating the Impact of Tariffs and Disruption

In this interactive presentation, trusted trade authority Tom Cook discusses the uncertainty and disruption in today’s global supply chain, outlining the solutions available for tariff mitigation and risk and spend management. The focus includes alternative sourcing, nearshoring, drawback, Foreign-Trade Zones, tariff engineering, tariff classification reviews, freight options, freight consolidation, Incoterms, and robust demand planning. Learn how to apply a “landed cost” approach to managing cost and risk: assessing and analyzing all costs related to the supply chain, from acquisition, freight, customs clearance, duties and taxes, to inland freight, warehousing, and distribution.

Learning objectives include:

  • Understand the tariff environment: the context, the current status, and likely direction for 2026.
  • Understand the impacted categories, products and processes and understand your options for mitigation.
  • Understand the importance of trade compliance and risks and costs of non-compliance.
  • Understand which tariff mitigation strategies can bolster supply chain resilience in the long term, and how to identify what will work for your company.

  • Online

    April

    16

    2026

    MEMBER WEBINAR
    Member Only

    Member Orientation

    This webinar provides knowledge regarding the many benefits that come with being a part of the ISM community. Join us and learn about the essential tools, vibrant community, and exceptional learning that enhances your professional development. You'll also gain insight into the array of programs, services, and resources that are available to you through your membership.

    Online
    Megan Hays

    April

    21

    2026

    Chapter Meeting

    ISM-Twin Cities: AI in Materials Management

    Seeing Shortages Before They Hit: AI in Materials Management 

    Most materials issues don’t start as emergencies; they start as weak signals that get lost in the noise of daily execution. This session examines how the application of AI to support proactive materials management issue resolution is changing how risks are detected, prioritized, and addressed, helping supply chain teams surface problems earlier, focus on the decisions that truly matter, and stay ahead of shortages and excess before they disrupt production.

    We are pleased to welcome Nicolas Moreno-Cely, Senior Director of Materials Planning and Operational Excellence at Daikin and Richard Lebovitz, Chief Strategy Officer at LeanDNA as featured speakers for this session. Together, they will combine industry research and real-world experience to examine how supply chain teams are applying AI to proactively identify, prioritize, and resolve materials issues before they impact production or customer delivery.

    Presentation Outline

    The Materials Management Problem Hiding in Plain Sight
    A look at why materials issues surface too late - how disconnected signals and manual prioritization slow response and increase supply execution risk

    Applying AI to Proactive Materials Management Issue Resolution
    How the application of AI is changing the way materials issues are detected, ranked, and addressed - shifting teams from reacting to disruptions to resolving root causes earlier.

    What the Data Is Revealing Across Global Manufacturers
    Richard will share insights from a recent study of global manufacturing leaders, highlighting where materials management breaks down and where teams are gaining an advantage.

    Execution in Practice: Materials Management at Daikin
    A moderated discussion with Nico on how Daikin approaches materials planning and execution - focusing on the signals they pay attention to, how decisions are made, and the impact on inventory, production flow, and delivery performance.

    Audience Q&A
    An open discussion with attendees to explore challenges, lessons learned, and practical takeaways that can be applied across manufacturing environments.

    Who should attend?
    This session is designed for supply chain and operations practitioners and leaders looking to strengthen supply chain execution, improve decision-making on the factory floor, and connect day-to-day materials management to broader business outcomes. If any of these challenges sound familiar, you will not want to miss this session!

    Location
    Daikin Applied
    3033 Campus Drive
    Plymouth, MN 55441 

    Sponsor: 700 ISM—Twin Cities, Inc.

    Welcome from the President

    On behalf of myself and the board, thank you for visiting.

    ISM—Twin Cities is a 100+ year old non-profit organization focused on advancing the practices of sourcing and supply chain professionals at all levels.  With nearly 500 local members, we are the go-to network for sourcing & supply chain professionals in the Twin Cities!  We provide real connections, relevant education, and leadership opportunities that can help our members advance their careers within their organizations.

    Our chapter has monthly professional development meetings where we discuss topics relevant topics for sourcing and supply chain professionals while allowing for great networking opportunities. We’d love to see you online or in person!

    The ISM—Twin Cities Fall Conference is a two-day in-person summit packed with fantastic speakers that provide practical strategies and ideas that attendees can take back to their workplace and apply immediately.  Held locally in Minneapolis in October of each year, it is a high value conference that is well worth the time and cost expended.

    From a certification perspective, we support ISM Global’s deployment of certifications in Supply Management and Supplier Diversity.  ISM—Twin Cities offers courses to assist participants to earn and retain CPSM®, CPSD®, and APSM® certifications. These certifications are great development tools to support skill set development and career growth aspirations.

    Not a member of ISM—Twin Cities yet? Please consider joining us. This a personal invitation from myself and the board to join us in our endeavors to advance supply management practices here in the Twin Cities as a member.  Becoming a member offers many benefits at both the local and global levels of ISM.

    If you would like more information, please e-mail info@ism-twincities.org or call 952.564.3045.

    Best Regards,
    Alan

    Alan Harrah, CPSM, CSCP
    President
    ISM—Twin Cities, Inc.

    Supply Management News & Reports

    ‘Ascend’ to New Heights in Strategic Supply Chain Management

    March 10, 2026
    Articles


    Sessions on trending topics like AI deployment, application and governance as well as networking opportunities and a keynote by Kara Swisher highlight ISM World 2026 in Denver.

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    Join ISM

    Your membership in ISM will provide a powerful path to stay connected, engaged, and up-to-date with everything happening in supply management. Serious procurement and supply chain professionals are dedicated to staying in the know about their profession and staying at the top of their game. An ISM membership will provide you with that and more.

    More than 100 years of experience speaks for itself – ISM can help you succeed. It's our mission.

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    Member Testimonials

    I consider ISM to be an integral part of what keeps me current in today’s business world! I’ve been a member of ISM since earning my Certified Professional of Supply Management in 2014, and through that set of classes I’ve been able to broaden my understanding of supply chain issues, network with other professionals, advance my career and my earnings to a much greater extent than I could have without ISM and the CPSM credentials. The CPSM course is robust for the topics it covers and depth of coverage. Once I earned it, I became motivated to keep it with the 20-hours per year CEH requirement. With that incentive in place, I’ve learned even more to help accelerate career growth. It’s been the best professional move by far. Staying current and relevant in today’s business world takes effort of some sort, ISM makes that easy and rewarding with the ISM Twin Cities fall conference and monthly meetings. Lessons and insights learned in ISM training opportunities are immediately applicable in my job, continually providing credibility in my role.

    - Cindy Jerome
    Production Director
    Lerner Publishing

    ISM and the local chapters provide access to networking, professional development, conferences, leadership opportunities, best practice benchmarking and lifelong connections. This applies to supply management professionals who are at any stage of their career. It’s really a no-brainer for anyone who is serious about their career in supply management and would like to continue their education on a reoccurring basis.
    I’ve had the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors at ISM-Twin Cities for 5 years which has accelerated my leadership development and networking as a young professional. This active role in the organization has created excellent benchmarking opportunities which I can utilize at my existing employer and beyond. My network has drastically expanded in this short time and will continue to grow as I stay involved in ISM throughout my career.

    Corey Gustafson, CPSM
    Commodity Manager

    Entegris

    Learn More

    See What’s Ahead at ISM World 2026

    The ISM World 2026 agenda is now available, showcasing the sessions, speakers, and experiences shaping the future of the profession. Explore what’s in store and start building your ideal conference experience in Colorado. Registration is open—secure your spot today.

    See the Agenda

    Sponsors of ISM—Twin Cities, Inc.