by Jeff Shelton
Hot on the heels of a Spring conference that incorporated a host of new features and value-enhanced experiences for QAD users, the QAD Midwest User Group (MWUG) is gearing up for a repeat performance this Fall! September 17-19, to be exact. That is the date for MWUG’s Fall user group conference at the Henry Hotel in Dearborn, Michigan.
MWUG’s Spring Conference in March of this year saw a significant boost in attendance with the following new features added to the program – and we are anticipating excellent attendance in September with their inclusion once again on the agenda:
Hands-On/Demo Area: This year, for the first time, MWUG is providing dedicated work-stations running QAD with consultants on hand to guide attendees through various features and modules, including QAD Supplier Management, Adaptive ERP, Supply Chain Planning, Digital Commerce, Process Intelligence, Global Trade & Transportation, EQMS (Quality Management System) and Redzone – QAD’s latest connected workforce solution that uses digital technologies to connect and empower workers, maximize productivity and simplify daily operations.
Dedicated Supply Chain Track: Another new feature of the MWUG conferences this year is an entire two-day track dedicated to Supply Chain – with key sessions this Fall focusing on Supplier Onboarding & Sourcing, QAD’s Digital Supply Chain Planning (DSCP), Trade Compliance, Foreign Trade Zones, Predictive Analytics and AI, and Supply Chain Potential with QAD Elevate.
QAD Platinum Sessions: Once again, QAD will help boost the value of the Fall user group event by offering one-on-one sessions with QAD executives and member companies to engage privately while at the conference.
NEW FOR THIS CONFERENCE: Product Input Roundtables! We want to hear directly from you, a valued member of the QAD community, about your experiences, challenges, and suggestions. QAD Product Managers will be leading roundtable discussions on Tuesday @ Lunch, providing you with the opportunity to engage in open conversations about our products and future developments. Additionally, we will have a Product Roundtable dedicated to QAD’s NEW Product offerings – you don’t want to miss this!
Without question, MWUG’s Fall event will be the most densely packed forum for QAD education, training, networking, and one-on-one time with QAD consultants, vendors, and other experts in the field who help the QAD community maximize the investment in their ERP systems.
For West Coast QAD Users
The QAD West Coast User Group (WECUG) is taking its cue from the success of the expanded program at Midwest. It will also offer all these value-added features for its Fall regional event – October 29-31 @ the beautiful oceanfront Seabird Resort in Oceanside, CA. For details and registration, please visit: www.wecug.com
We hope to see you at one of these informative events!
The VALUE of the QAD User Groups
As highlighted by the conference benefits above, the key value of the QAD regional user groups is to bring together QAD customers and other stakeholders in the QAD environment to provide valuable training, education, and networking opportunities. QAD is instrumental in providing the resources and support to make these events successful. The promotional support of our vendors and sponsors helps make these events the most cost-effective investment for QAD customers.
Registration is discounted significantly for user group members. (in the case of MWUG, the cost is only $95/person—a phenomenally low cost for a two-day conference!)
While the value and benefit of the user groups are driven primarily by the bi-annual conferences, user group members also receive access to several other benefits – afforded primarily through online access to secure member portals on each group’s respective websites. These benefits include:
- Searchable online member directory
- Resource Guide
- Free job postings
- Access to conference archives, slides, and handouts
- Access to member and user group-published webinars
- Quarterly user group newsletters
Membership in the QAD user groups is corporate. The membership includes your entire company, giving any employee access to member benefits, including discounts on attendance for the bi-annual conferences. Annual membership dues range from $175 – $250 per company – a nominal investment considering the education and networking opportunities afforded.
To learn more—and join the QAD user group in your regional area—please visit us at:
Midwest – www.midwestusergroup.org
West Coast – www.wecug.com
Jeff Shelton is the administrator for the QAD Regional User Groups.
