If you are heading to Whistler the weekend before the conference, you can hang out with me cheering the runners at the Whistler Half Marathon. My friend, Heather Abernethy, who works for Tourism Whistler, will be running so I plan to be there jumping up and down.

This first annual race takes place on a 21.1 kilometre course that includes Whistler’s main Village, scene of many celebrations during last year’s 2010 Winter Olympics. The gently-rolling course also winds through nearby neighbourhoods and along Whistler’s already-popular running paths, offering spectacular mountain views throughout. Proving to be a hit with runners, this event is now sold out for 2011. Course details and description here.

Dine in Whistler – April 25 to June 30, 2011 from mountaintop to tabletop
 

Dine in Whistler offers more than exceptional value at a variety of Whistler restaurants. It also serves up a spectacular natural setting that is sure to inspire. Enjoy a diverse range of dining experiences and menus – from soulful pub fare, to authentic ethnic cuisine, to unique and innovative fine dining – that promise a meal to be savoured long after the last bite is finished.

http://www.whistler.com/dinein/
 

They’ve been busy planning the upcoming 2011 PMAC National Conference and are looking forward to welcoming you to beautiful British Columbia! During the conference they’re happy to be your “go-to” ambassadors. Look for them in their Olympic blue t-shirts.
 

Conference Co-chairs
Clayton Ramm, SCMP, Abbotsford, BC
Leah Bach, SCMP, CRM, Delta, BC

Conference Committee
Michael Giesbrecht, SCMP, Mission, BC
Ray H. Miller, SCMP, Kamloops, BC
Juli Kolby, SCMP, Port Moody, BC
Sue Sayer, SCMP, New Westminster, BC
Don Striha, SCMP, Port Coquitlam BC
Deana Trudeau, SCMP, Coquitlam, BC

Back by popular demand, Peter Hall, Vice-President and Chief Economist, Export Development Canada will be in Whistler to give you his thoughts on the current state of the economy and what SCM professionals can expect in the coming months.

Peter has been advising leading Canadian companies and organizations for over 20 years on economic issues and trends. For those who saw his spirited debate, during the 2008 PMAC National Conference, in Quebec City, with another of Canada's top economists, you know that you are in for an informative and lively session. He will be joined at the session "Economy: The Current State and The Future" by leading Canadian economists, Warren Jestin, Senior Vice-President & Chief Economist, Scotia Capital and Helmut Pastrick, Chief Economist, Central 1 Credit Union.

You don't have to wait until June to hear Peter's economic insights. He has a weekly video commentary that is published every Thursday.

If you've never been to the PMAC National Conference, you probably aren't aware of all the benefits you can get by attending. Well, be unaware no longer. Watch these testimonial videos and let these PMAC members explain to you in their own words why the Annual National Conference is a can't miss event for them and for any SCM professional!

Post by: King Siu, Communications Coordinator, PMAC

Imagine what would happen if you ran the equivalent of two marathons a day for 111 days, how impossible does that sound? Now imagine that impossible scenerio taking place in the Sahara desert!

Someone who knows that experience well is Ray Zahab, our first keynote speaker at the 2011 National Conference in Whister. In 2006, he and two friends decided to run across the Sahara desert, something that had never been done before. Through this incredible adventure, he learned a lot about courage, perseverance and compassion.

His journey has been made into a documentary, narrated and produced by Academy Award winner Matt Damon, that chronicles how they battled injuries and extreme fatigue to achieve their impossible goal. View the trailer for his documentary, below, to get a sense of the difficulties that faced them on this long journey.

Join us at Ray's keynote address to be inspired, to be enlightened and to be able to tell your friends that you met one of Matt Damon's pals!