Programs

1. Programs Best Practices Larry Simon APICS Fox River Chapter Great Lakes District

2. Program Issues Lack of attendance due to: • Support by companies • Topics not interesting • Size of geographic area • Perceived value • WIIFM (what’s in it for me) • Social media, current events Trending the wrong way over the last 2 to 3 years

3. Agenda • PDM’s • Plant Tours • Network Events

4. PDM’s Topic Speaker Location Pricing Promotion Dates

5. PDM’s and Topics • Mix of topics • Various levels of topics • Beginners vs. advanced • Old vs. new topic • Requested by membership • Annual survey • Survey at end of meeting • Networking • Avoid obscure topics • Have joint meetings for specific topics (ASQ, other chapters, student chapters) • Place for individual and also panel presentations

6. PDM’s and Miscellaneous • Webinars • Performed short time after PDM • Attracts different members • Timing and promotion is important • Check lists • Used to make sure everything is ready • Makes event similar every time and no surprises • Have board call membership to increase attendance

7. Speakers • Prefer practitioner • Tread carefully with consultants • Allow 5 minute promo time • Communicate expectations prior to meeting date • Utilize networking to find potential speakers • All board members leverage their networks • Get cards at conference for speakers that were outstanding • Determine monies required for expenses if any

8. Location • Move around geographically • Will draw different set of attendees • Have different type of meals • Easy to reach • Must be good value for money • Appropriate for presentation • Seating • Tools • Parking

9. Promotion • Advertisement • Emails (3-4 with last the Friday before) • Website • Newsletter • Social Media (LinkedIn) • Special “deals” • Bring your manager night (often with appropriate topic) • Company of the year recognitions • Elections • Students speaking for part of meetings • Recognition of new attendees

10. Pricing Fox River has different levels of pricing • Member (of any chapter) $25 • Non-member $40 • Student $ 5 • In transition $10

11. Dates and Timing • Try to have PDM’s same day each month such as 3rd Wednesday • Watch out for key sporting events, election night, proximity to holidays • Be cognizant of semester schedule for students – final exams, meet the firm night, other events • Schedule training and other events not to clash with PDM dates • Don’t waste peoples time - keep the event moving

12. Plant Tours • Have at companies that are interesting • Have the times appropriate • Have companies do short presentations before and after tour • Make sure location is appropriate • Try a mix of different times of day, and different days of the week • Try both with food (catered) and without food

13. Networking Events • Informal and fun • Add a new event to months when traditional PDM’s have not been held in the past • December and June • Explore doing joint networking events with other professional organizations • ASQ, PMI, SME, ISM, CSCMP, WERC, other APICS Chapters • Attendees • Key management of member companies • Recruiters (select 2 or 3 from the area) • Board • Pricing • Location • Pizza restaurants • Microbrewery • Winery • No main topic unless it is about SC job market

14. What questions do you have?What is working well in your geographical area?What challenges are you having?