At an awards ceremony held at the Grand Valley Golf Club on June 3, Conestoga’s School of Business was named company of the year by the Ontario Grand Valley chapter of APICS. Gary Hallam, executive dean of Conestoga’s School of Business & Hospitality, accepted the award.
The Ontario Grand Valley chapter of APICS presented its company of the year award to Conestoga's School of Business. Pictured are School of Business and Hospitality staff, from right to left: Brian Watson, professor/coordinator; Dave Slichter, part-time faculty; Stephen Thomson, professor; Kevin Hill, part-time faculty; Bruce Williamson, part-time faculty; Tracey Lopers, professor/coordinator; Gary Hallam, executive dean; and Louise Beauchamp, vice president of finance, APICS Ontario Grand Valley.
APICS is a worldwide association that focuses on the continuing education of supply chain and operations management professionals and students. With almost 40,000 members, APICS certification programs are recognized as the standard of supply chain management excellence by organizations, educators and professionals. Conestoga is home to the largest student APICS chapter in Canada with close to 100 members. All members are students from Conestoga’s Supply Chain and Operations Management and Purchasing programs.
“The company of the year award was presented to Conestoga’s School of Business because of the support and involvement in our chapter by its faculty members, staff and students,” said Cynthia Klassen, president of the chapter. “We saw a record number of students attend our conference this year. Faculty members are not only APICS members, but they regularly attend chapter events, and encourage and promote the value of being part of APICS to the students.”
Conestoga has partnered with the Ontario Grand Valley chapter since 1990 when the college first began serving as a learning and test centre for students and professionals working towards APICS certifications. The APICS CPIM designation (Certified in Production Inventory and Management) is recognized worldwide. Over 40 Conestoga students wrote the certification exam last year and three received their CPIM designation before graduating.
Conestoga’s three-year Supply Chain and Operations Management program prepares students for successful careers in the growing and underserviced-field of supply chain management. For more information, visit the program’s website