1. APICS Fox River Chapter
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. Topic Speaker Location Pricing Promotion Dates
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 Special “deals” Elections
s (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 questions do you have? What is working well in your geographical area? What challenges are you having?