Membership Information

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• Purchasing Advocate
  No one understands better than ISM how purchasing affects the bottomline. One of our objectives is to promote the purchasing profession. Members have access to all ISM printed and electronic materials to help promote purchasing within the organizational infrastructure. We can help you communicate your value-added contributions to the senior management of your organization.
• Affiliates
  Gain valuable contacts within your community during monthly meetings and educational functions. Keep on top of local industry changes and commodity trends. Be a part of a growing association run by and for purchasing and materials management professionals.
• C.P.M. and A.P.P. Programs
  ISM offers two professional designations. The Accredited Purchasing Practitioner (A.P.P.) program is for entry-level buyers primarily engaged in the tactical or operational side of purchasing/materials management. It is also available to those outside of an organization's purchasing/materials management department with definite procurement (supply chain management) responsibilities. The Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) program focuses on the managerial, administrative, and strategic, as well as tactical aspects of the purchasing and materials management function. Both programs are designed for those working in any of the major private, public, or non-profit work sectors. Both programs are administered by ISM and members receive discounts on exams and study materials.
• Committees
  Acquire new skills in planning, managing, and organizing while developing your leadership potential. Some committee members report on economic conditions (the primary statistics become the highly-respected Report on Business®), direct ISM's annual conference, assist in program development, and much more. Only ISM members can participate.
• Special Interest Groups and Forums
  Gain a deeper understanding of your purchasing specialty and develop valuable connections across the U.S. when you join an ISM special interest group or forum. ISM has groups in interest areas ranging from materials management to health care providers, to federal acquisitions. Only through ISM can you participate in the ISM special interest groups or forums.
• Center for Advanced Purchasing Studies (CAPS) ISM members receive purchasing-related research studies and benchmarks free from CAPS, the only national not-for-profit research center in purchasing and materials management. CAPS sponsors three international roundtables throughout the year in North America, Europe, and Asia. Participants include more than one hundred Fortune 500 companies.
• Seminar Discounts
  Enhance your professional development and job performance when you enroll in ISM seminars taught by experienced instructors. Over 90 seminars are conducted annually throughout the United States; intensive, one-week purchasing management programs are also conducted at selected universities. Members save up to $200 on each two-day seminar and $400 on each management program. Our satellite seminar series addresses different purchasing/supply management issues and is offered several times throughout the year. This live program allows you to interact with speakers and peers without leaving your city or affiliate area.
• Professional Development Resources
  Over 80 different audio/video programs and over 50 different books to choose from. All programs are designed to heighten your acumen in a variety of subjects, including: global sourcing, negotiations, legal issues, and supply management. Video tapes are easily adaptable to individual or group presentations. Publications include: textbooks, workbooks, the TECHnotes series, with subject matter covering purchasing topics plus general business information. These professional development resources accommodate your unique schedule and pace, and ISM members save on all purchases and rentals.
• Annual International Supply Management Conference and Educational Exhibit
  Network with 2000 peers at the only international conference devoted exclusively to purchasing and supply management. Examine emerging trends and challenges during comprehensive workshops conducted by your peers. Workshop presenters are selected as a result of ISM's "Call for Presentations." The conference attracts distinguished speakers to discuss current national and international issues and features several sessions highlighted by prominent corporate leaders. Members receive significant savings on registration fees.
• The Journal of Supply Chain Management
  The nation's first scholarly journal devoted exclusively to purchasing and materials management research and development. New members receive more than one-half off the 1 year subscription rate.
• Recognition and Awards
  Earn recognition when you are rewarded for exemplary service to ISM and the profession at large. The J. Shipman Gold Medal, established in 1931, is the purchasing profession's highest honor; other awards are given to ISM members for outstanding performance in the categories of Education/Learning, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Marketing/Communicating and Volunteerism.
• ISM Knowledge Center
  Members can enroll in a free course on cost/price analysis, or take one of the growing number of other self-directed online courses and earn Continuing Education Hours toward recertification.