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

February

19

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

February

25

2026

Chapter Webinar

ISM-Twin Cities: February Meeting- Extended Producer Responsibility

Extended Producer Responsibility (Epr) Is Coming – What Supply Chain Leaders Need To Know Now

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is no longer a niche sustainability or compliance topic. It directly impacts cost, supplier strategy, data systems, and operational risk, which places it squarely within the Supply Chain function. The goal of this session is to translate EPR from a regulatory concept into concrete implications for sourcing, packaging decisions, and supplier coordination.

We are pleased to announce that Marleigh White from Veritiv will be our featured speaker at the February meeting. Marleigh brings extensive knowledge and experience in this area. Below is an outline of the topics she will cover:

·         What EPR Is—and Why It’s Expanding Now

o   A practical overview of EPR in the U.S. and globally, focusing on confirmed requirements and timelines by state.

·         Why EPR Is a Supply Chain Issue?

o   Packaging design and material choices now directly affect compliance fees and cost-to-serve

o   Supplier transparency and packaging data become mandatory

o   Procurement teams will increasingly be asked to evaluate packaging through a regulatory and cost lens

o   Poor coordination can lead to duplicate fees, compliance gaps, or missed reporting deadlines

·         What Supply Chain Professionals Will Be Responsible For

o   Data collection across suppliers and SKUs

o   Packaging material standardization opportunities

o   Contract language and supplier accountability

o   Cross-functional coordination with legal, sustainability, and finance

·         What’s Coming Next and How to Prepare

o   Clear, actionable steps supply chain teams can take now to reduce risk and avoid last-minute scrambles.

Regardless of where your company is in its compliance journey, EPR is a subject you need to understand and take appropriate actions to be in compliance.

You will not want to miss this session. Register today!

Sponsor: 700 ISM—Twin Cities, Inc.
Online
Marleigh White

March

03

2026

Chapter Meeting

ISM-Twin Cities: IT Sourcing Seminar

Dealing with Predatory Technology Vendors & Tips and Tricks for Negotiating and Contracting for Technology Spend

This class will be a combination of presentations, group discussion, and mini-breakout sessions to ensure all attendees get the most value from their investment. You will leave with practical tools and templates that you can put to work on your job immediately!

Whether you are seasoned in IT spend management, new to the category, or an internal IT customer, join us for this conversation-based session. Where we offer content, discussion, and idea sharing to help you take away a refreshed understanding of new ideas and techniques for your next negotiation. Your registration fee includes lunch and all training materials. This seminar will provide you with fully vetted best-practice tools and approaches to optimize your IT spend.

Who Should Attend?

Any procurement representative involved in IT spend and their key stakeholders! Especially helpful for IT resources who want to better partner with Procurement to achieve effective collaboration, mutual understanding, and better outcomes for all.

Course Summary

·         Maintain Objectivity & Control

o   Technology Sales Tactics and Techniques (and how to prepare for, and combat them)

o   Understand how suppliers and sales reps make money to drive your strategy

o   Build critical credibility with your internal customers for better outcomes

o   Information is Power – Control who has it, and when, to fuel your negotiations

·         Tips & Tricks for IT Spend – You only get one chance to craft a first contract!

o   Using Use Cases to identify licensing exposure – before you buy

o   Licensing metrics- understanding and contracting when a supplier has control

o   Control costs through controlling deployment – audit proof your work

o   Why traditional RFPs aren’t a great fit, consider business capability and product roadmaps

o   How to negotiate and contract for long-term cost management vs. focusing on Day 1 costs

Location
Graco-Rogers Plant
20500 David Koch Ave
Rogers, MN 55374 

Sponsor: 700 ISM—Twin Cities, Inc.
Graco-Rogers Plant
Amy Marie Barnes, CPSM, C.P.M.

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

Being ‘Vigilant to the Risks Ahead’

January 14, 2026
Articles

Supply management organizations can expect higher economic growth in 2026, but myriad dynamics — including manufacturing sluggishness, tariffs, geopolitics and AI uncertainty — are longer-term X-factors.

Read More

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.

Become A Member

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, and Early Bird pricing is available through January 30—secure your spot today.

See the Agenda

Sponsors of ISM—Twin Cities, Inc.