ISM-Akron, Inc.
A Chapter of the Institute for Supply Management working together to advance the profession of supply management.
Akron's Leading Supply Chain Management Professionals
ISM—Akron, Inc. is a local chapter of Institute for Supply Management®.
ISM—Akron was established in 1922 and has members from businesses throughout Summit, Stark, Portage, and Cuyahoga counties. It is our goal to make ISM—Akron, Inc. the premiere supply professional organization in Northeast Ohio. It is our mission to educate, serve, and develop our members so that they will continue to provide value, opportunity, and cost reduction for the local business interests they represent. By working hand-in-hand with local universities and businesses, we hope to discover needs, recognize future opportunities for growth and service to build on the value of our Supply Management profession.
Upcoming Events
February
26
2025
MEMBER WEBINAR
Member Only
Member Orientation

Member Orientation
This webinar provides knowledge regarding the many benefits that come with being a part of the ISM community. Join us and learn about the essential tools, vibrant community, and exceptional learning that enhances your professional development. You'll also gain insight into the array of programs, services, and resources that are available to you through your membership.
March
27
2025
MEMBER WEBINAR
Member Only
Getting Started with Supply Chain Design

Getting Started with Supply Chain Design
With FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt) embroiling global supply chains, leaders must be proactive and intentional in assessing their supply chains and designing them for the future. But how to start? Ralph Asher of Data Driven Supply Chain LLC will discuss how to get started in supply chain design and answer common questions. This talk will equip organizations to embark on their supply chain design journey, future-proof their supply chains, and build competitive moats.
This session will dive into addressing the following questions:
- How does supply chain design differ from supply chain planning and optimization?
- What are some of the strategic questions that we can answer with supply chain design?
- What data do we need to get started in supply chain design? (Hint: much less than you may think!)
- How do we measure ROI in supply chain design projects?
- Should we build an internal team or use consultants for supply chain design projects?
- Commercial software vs. open-source software: what are the pros and cons for supply chain design?
April
10
2025
MEMBER WEBINAR
Member Only
Quarterly State of Risk Update

Quarterly State of Risk Update
Join the executive leaders from ISM and Resilinc as they come together as part of a quarterly series to discuss the latest and emerging risks and disruptions impacting global supply chains. ISM CEO Tom Derry and Resilinc CEO Bindiya Vakil will also provide insights based on respective data and research from both organizations.
Supply Management News & Reports
-
Is Technology a Priority for Your Organization?
February 18, 2025Articles -
Managing Climate Change Action Volatility
February 18, 2025Articles -
The Characteristics and Profiles of Supply Chain Readiness
February 18, 2025Articles
Join ISM
Become A Member