The 9th Annual SCM Directors’ Conference
Canceled (originally March 4-6, 2020)
No Registration Fee
Are you responsible for developing and managing supply chain programs?
Are you experiencing difficulties in recruiting new particularly, domestic students?
Are you in the process of developing an STEM program or enhancing your supply chain curriculum?
Would you like to build quality relationships with industries to market your programs?
Would you like to improve your internship outcomes or the overall ranking of your SCM programs?
If you experience these issues, then you are not alone. The conference hosted by USC Marshall School of Business, and Jindal School of Management, UT Dallas to bring a unique colloquium specific to program directors, assistant/associate deans and center managers who are involved in developing and managing different aspects of supply chain management programs and curriculum.
This conference is a premier colloquium for designing, developing, and even reinventing SCM programs. We plan to encourage thought-provoking conversations, debates on the several issues confronting us, and discussions of emerging ideas to promote program success at every level from the classroom through the dean’s suite. This conference also has been selected as one of the top 50 Logistics, Warehouse and Inventory Management Conferences to attend in 2017.
Interested in being a speaker or serving on a faculty panel?
Experts from various universities will provide insights and share innovative techniques. If you are interested in sharing your experiences as a speaker or panelist, please send an email to Professor Nick Vyas. The agenda may include:
Curriculum Development
Online Program Development
Developing STEM Program
Program Assessment (AACSB)
Methods to Grow Domestic Enrollment
University and Industry Rankings
Building Marketable Certificate Programs
Building Industry Advisory Board and Relationships
Organizing Committee
If there are topics you would like to see on the program, please let us know and we would be happy to add it to the program agenda.
Welcome to the 9th SCM Directors’ Conference at USC!
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the 2020 Supply Chain Management Directors’ Conference. We are pleased to welcome you to University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business and we hope you enjoy your time with us.
This year’s conference will focus on a number of exciting topics, including supply chain analytics, building innovative and practical supply chain curriculum in the digital era, and the importance of strong industry engagement and partnerships for outstanding supply chain research and curriculum. This conference is a wonderful opportunity for leading supply chain management colleagues to exchange ideas as together they confront challenges and recognize innovations in the field.
I would like to thank the conference program committee, including Dr. Nick Vyas, and Dr. Shawn Alborz at UT Dallas for their time and dedication to planning and delivering this conference. I am confident you will have a reinvigorated view of the work you do in your programs.
Best wishes for a productive and enjoyable conference on the USC University campus.
Best wishes,
Gareth Games, PhD
Interim Dean, Marshall School of Business
Conference Agenda
The tentative schedule is noted below and will be updated periodically.
Schedule for Wednesday March 4th, 2020
Time
Program
05:00 – 08:00 PM
SCM Directors’ Conference Welcome Reception
Marshall School of Business
1149 South Hill Street, Suite 950
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Schedule for Thursday March 5th, 2020
Time
Program
07:30 – 08:15 AM
Registration and light breakfast:
USC Arts & Humanities Parkside Building (PRB)
3771 McClintock Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90089
08:15 – 08:45 AM
Conference Welcome: Nick Vyas (SCU) and Shawn Alborz (UT Dallas)
08:45 – 09:00 AM
Opening Remarks: Raman RandhawaUSC Marshall School of Business, Department Chair and Professor of Data Sciences and Operations
09:00 – 10:00 AM
Keynote #1: 4th Industrial Revolution Concept and Application in HigherEd
Speaker: Dr. Ravi Kumar, Professor Emeritus of Data Science & Operations
10:00 – 10:15AM
Coffee Break
10:15 – 12:15 PM
Discussion #1: Curriculum and Certification
How to align curriculum with industry needs?
How to develop and deliver content?
What would be the best course format (lecture, case analysis, game/role playing, project-based, simulation, etc.)
Who are the professional organizations?
What certification types are desired by students and businesses?
Moderators:TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
12:15 – 01:45 PM
Lunch: PRB Performance Café
01:45 – 03:15 PM
Discussion #2: Cost of Education at Graduate and Undergraduate Levels
How to compare traditional and non-traditional programs?
How to review of local and national tuition costs trends?
How to develop, conduct and consider cost structure (grants, in and out of state, national averages, private funding, scholarship, etc.)?
Moderators:TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
03:15 – 04:30 PM
Discussion #3: SCM Program Leadership Challenges at the Instructor, Program Administration, and University/School Level
Question?
Question?
Question?
Moderators:TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
04:30 – 04:45 PM
Wrap up: Nick Vayas (USC) and Shawn Alborz (UT Dallas)
05:00 PM
Bus will pick up participants for Harbor Tour (Port of Long Beach)
06:00 – 08:15 PM
Harbor Tour (Port of Los Angeles) and dinner
08:15 PM
Shuttle back to Hotel
Schedule for Friday March 6th, 2020
Time
Program
07:30 – 08:45 AM
Light Breakfast in USC
Fertitta Hall (JFF) – 2nd Floor, Room 236
610 Childs Way
Los Angeles, CA 90089
08:45 – 10:00 AM
Keynote #2: Gartner and Supply Chain Research (Academia and Industry)
Dana Stiffler, VP Research, Gartner
10:00 – 11:00 AM
Discussion #4: International Student Challenges and Opportunities (e.g., CPT, H1B, OPT, job placement)
How to deal with geopolitical issues surrendering CPT, H1B, and OPT, and job placement?
How to increase job placement rate for international students?
Moderators:TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
11:00 – 12:00 Noon
Discussion #5: Trends Shaping SCM Programs
What is going on with Blockchain and cyber security?
What is happening with millennial, generation Z consumers and multi-generation workforce?
What do we need consider for omnichannel, producer to consumer and direct channel, etc.?
Moderators:TBA
TBA
TBA
TAB
12:00 Noon
Closing Remarks: Nick Vayas (USC) and Shawn Alborz (UT Dallas)
Box lunches will be provided
Walking distance from the USC campus is the City of Los Angeles, museum row. Visit the science, math and technology museum at the California Science Center. The California Science Center, also houses the Endeavor Space Shuttle. The Science museum is free, tickets to the space shuttle is $2.00. Also, Explore natural and cultural worlds at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. The Natural History museum, features artifacts from the prehistoric, dinosaur era to the evolution of Los Angeles, rich history beginnings. The museum is free after 3pm. Tickets for earlier entrance $15.00 at the door. The recently renovated California African American Museum gives you a unique view into one of America’s oldest and influential cultures. The African-American museum is free. The iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the brand new Banc of California Stadium offer the excitement of world-class athletic competition, while the EXPO Center is a hub of recreational activity for the neighborhood.
The Broad is a contemporary art museum in downtown Los Angeles. The museum was founded by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad, who also funded the Broad Contemporary building at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). The distinctive white honeycomb-covered building is located just south of the Walt Disney Concert Hall across Grand Avenue from the Museum of Contemporary Art. The addition of The Broad to the Museum of Contemporary Art’s two downtown campuses, Gallery Row and the Downtown L.A. Arts District, makes the area world-class destination for contemporary art, from fine art to street art. The museum is free. Advanced registration is recommended.
Olvera Street (Calle Olvera or Placita Olvera) is a historic district in downtown Los Angeles, and a part of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument. Many of the historic buildings are on Olvera Street, as well as some of the oldest Los Angeles monuments including the Avila Adobe built in 1818, Pelanconi House built in 1857, and the Sepulveda House built in 1887. The tree-shaded, pedestrian mall marketplace with craft shops, restaurants and roving troubadours is a popular tourist destination. The street has been described as a “Top Five” in the “Great Streets of America” journal.
Little Tokyo Historic District, is an ethnically Japanese American district in downtown Los Angeles and the heart of the largest Japanese-American population in North America. Explore museums, shops and some of the best sushi restaurant in town.
Entering the corridor of the heart of downtown Los Angeles, you’ll see the Los Angeles Convention Center, The Staples Center and LA Live. Just 2 miles from USC campus, you can check the venues listings for concerts, basketball and other events at the Staples Center. LA Live, located right next to Staples, offers varied cuisine, as well as entertainment of Lucky Strike bowling and bar, The Conga Room, as well as the Grammy Museum. Check the websites for current events.
Located just west of downtown Los Angeles, The Hollywood Bowl is an amphitheater in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood. It was named one of the 10 best live music venues. You can picnic under the stars while listening to the Orchestra play. Check the website for current events, transportation and ticket information.
Travel and Hotel
Hotel Information
USC Hotel
3540 S Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007
$179 Room block rate
Parking $25.00 (self)
JW Marriott at LA LIVE
900 West Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90015
$260 USC rates,Single/double
Use code UNC to make reservations online
Parking: $49 (valet)
Westin Bonaventure
404 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071
2019 USC rates
$184 Traditional room
$214 Deluxe room
$285 Tower Suite
Use code 12549 to make reservations online or call 800-937-8461
Parking: $49 (valet)
