President's Letter September 2008

Welcome back after what I hope for all was an enjoyable summer.  Mine was bittersweet, as I sent my youngest daughter off to college and entered the empty nest phase of life.  It all happens so fast!

            While we are putting the final touches on our schedule for this year, we hope it will be interesting and enjoyable for all.  Among our plans- a tour of the ‘Smart Road’ laboratory at Virginia Tech, a presentation on ERP, and an ‘Open Mike Night’- an open forum to share your most pressing issues for group discussion.  Check the website in about a week for the final schedule. 

            We are making some slight changes to the Professional Development Meetings.  In light of recent APICS dues increases, we are adjusting the meal cost to provide for a discount for members in good standing.  We also would like to offer each member one free PDM meal over the course of this year.  The board feels this is a great way to benefit members while bringing more people to our PDM’s. 

            Please let Tom Gambrell know if you have an interest in CPIM certification courses.  We will be starting up again soon in Roanoke and Blacksburg, and have room for more participants. 

            I hope to see you at this month’s PDM at the Courtyard by Marriot on September 9.   We have a very interesting presentation on RFID planned, along with a nice buffet dinner.  RFID technology has advanced to the point that we all need to learn about it and be aware of its capabilities, as it most likely will be affecting all of us soon. 

John Dyer