ProcureCon East vs. Sourcing Industry Group (SIG): Comparing Two Leading Procurement Conferences
This fall, Teem had the opportunity to sponsor two premier procurement and sourcing events: ProcureCon East in Orlando in September, and the Sourcing Industry Group (SIG) conference in Rancho Mirage last week. Both events were fantastic in their own right, but they each had distinct characteristics that made them stand out. As sponsors and attendees, we’d like to share our experiences to help others decide which event might be the best fit, depending on their goals.
ProcureCon East: A Larger, More Dynamic Event
ProcureCon East was the bigger of the two events, with around 300 attendees (outside of sponsors) and 50 sponsors. The scale of the event was immediately apparent. From the massive expo hall, which was always open, to the large meeting rooms where sessions were held, everything about ProcureCon felt expansive and full of energy.
As sponsors, we appreciated the level of organization and attention from the ProcureCon team. The sales and marketing staff went above and beyond to ensure we had a good experience. They facilitated introductions, hustled to make sure we were meeting the right people, and were very accommodating. These kinds of efforts made our time at ProcureCon more productive and less transactional than one might expect at a conference of this size.
The networking opportunities were plentiful. There were multiple events hosted in the expo hall, which encouraged casual interactions with other sponsors and attendees. We met many new people and the interactions were mostly focused on immediate opportunities.
The content at ProcureCon was also top-notch, with sessions designed to address a broad range of procurement challenges. However, given the large scale, some sessions were held in very large rooms, which diluted some of the audience engagement. Nonetheless, the diversity of topics covered ensured that there was something for everyone, from tactical procurement strategies to broader discussions on the future of sourcing.
One point to note: ProcureCon was a more expensive sponsorship opportunity compared to SIG, but given the scale and exposure, it was a valuable investment for us.
SIG: A Close-Knit, Collaborative Experience
In contrast to ProcureCon’s larger scale, the Sourcing Industry Group (SIG) conference felt like a close-knit community. Half the size of ProcureCon, SIG had a much more intimate feel, with attendees and sponsors who seemed to already know one another. It was refreshing to walk into an environment where the vibe was less about sales pitches and more about building relationships.
What stood out most at SIG was the warm and welcoming atmosphere. Even as a supplier, we felt embraced by the community. The organizers did an excellent job of setting expectations and establishing rules of engagement between the buy and sell sides. This created a professional yet friendly environment where suppliers like us were treated as part of the conversation rather than outsiders.
One of the unique aspects of SIG was the inclusion of a dedicated sessions for suppliers. These sessions helped us better understand the needs and concerns of sourcing and procurement teams, but they were designed in a way that avoided the usual hard-sell environment. This made for more genuine, impactful conversations. The small, intimate rooms for sessions also encouraged participation from the audience, which led to more dynamic discussions.
Overall, SIG felt like a community more than a conference. It was less about the numbers and more about fostering long-term relationships. For Teem, this was particularly valuable, as we could engage deeply with potential clients and industry leaders in a meaningful way.
Conclusion: Which One is Right for You?
Both ProcureCon East and SIG delivered exceptional experiences for us at Teem, and we would gladly attend and sponsor them again. However, the two conferences offered very different atmospheres and benefits:
- If your goal is to meet a lot of people from diverse roles and companies within the procurement world, ProcureCon is the right choice. Its scale and dynamism allow for a wide range of connections in a relatively short period.
- If your goal is to build lasting relationships and become part of a procurement and sourcing community, SIG is unmatched in creating a welcoming, collaborative environment that encourages deep engagement.
No matter your objective, both conferences provide immense value in their own ways. At Teem, we’re fortunate to have been part of both, and we look forward to continuing our journey within these two exceptional communities.