14 March 2008

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PMI Global Congress 2008—Asia Pacific
Record-Breaking Congress Generates Excitement in Sydney

View a gallery of congress images

Close to 800 practitioners from 43 countries gathered in Sydney, Australia, in early March for three days of learning, networking and enjoyment. The turnout for PMI Global Congress 2008—Asia Pacific was the largest yet for a PMI congress held outside of North America, as attendees sought out events tailored to advance their careers and professional development.

Many attendees were participating in their first global congress and took seriously the advice of PMI CEO Gregory Balestrero to “enjoy congress, ask questions, connect with other professionals and learn more about project management and PMI.” By the last day, some attendees had run out of business cards to exchange.

In a first-timer orientation, long-time volunteer Brenda Treasure, PMP, a member of the Congress Project Action Team (CoPAT), explained how best to enjoy the event and urged all attendees to make networking their top priority.

Then came the opening general session, during which Mr. Balestrero told attendees, “[You] can manage any project anywhere, anytime. The power to get you where you want to be is sitting in front of you, behind you and next to you.”

Mr. Balestrero noted the increase in stature that the project management profession is enjoying in the Asia Pacific region. “At the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, more than 50 percent of those involved in projects have the Project Management Professional (PMP^®) credential, and the CEO has said that project management has been the greatest contributor to the agency’s success,” he said.

PMI CEO Gregory Balestrero noted the growth of the project management profession in the Asia Pacific region.

Social Responsibility
PMI Chair Philip Diab, PMP, addressed the crowd on the subject of project management and social responsibility. He urged attendees to ask themselves where they and their organization can “contribute most effectively” in making project management “a force for human welfare and growing prosperity around the world.”

Luis Alvarez, the CEO of Aldion Consulting and sponsor of the keynote, described how his company is assisting in the formation of a PMI chapter in Vietnam. He then introduced the keynote speaker, Robyn Meredith, a Forbes magazine senior editor and author of The Elephant and the Dragon: How India and China Are Changing Our World.

Keynote speaker Robyn Meredith addressed the rapid economic growth of China and India.

Effect on the World’s Workforce
“India and China are affecting our lives and our work every single day,” Ms. Meredith said. She noted that India is producing 2.7 million college graduates each year and China 5 million, more than the United States and European Union combined. Just as importantly, Chinese and Indian graduates tend to be more oriented toward technology and science than their Western counterparts.

“The chair of Intel says that a major relocation of white-collar jobs to India and China will occur over the next 10 years,” she reported.

Ms. Meredith noted that India and China are growing three times faster than the U.S. and the EU, a development that is creating opportunities for project managers everywhere.

“Australia in particular is affected by these changes,” she said, noting the increased exports of natural resources to India and China. After her keynote session, Ms. Meredith answered questions from the audience and later took time to sign books for congress attendees at the PMI bookstore.

After the opening session, the business of the congress was the Areas of Focus sessions. A wide variety of topics were covered, some of them highly specialized. Judging from the audience “buzz” at the end of each day, the sessions were favorably received.

Program and Portfolio Sessions Popular
Strong interest was shown in a number of sessions dealing with program and portfolio management. Many attendees of these sessions were eager to learn about tips and trends to more efficiently run groups of projects or programs, and to communicate to top-level executives the strategic value of project management.

Stephen Garfein, PMP, in his session called On Becoming a C-Level Executive and Developing Breakthrough Strategies, noted that senior executives “will get it in three minutes” if a portfolio manager explains how initiatives generate projects and programs.

Sessions on the basics also were popular. Trainer and consultant John Kinser, PMP, led a session called Why Less is More: The Backpacker’s Approach to Project Management. He graphically displayed through the use of his own backpack and trekking equipment why efficiency and adaptability are key to managing successful projects.

It was not all learning for congress attendees. Each night, a reception allowed the participants a chance to network in a relaxed setting with beverages and snacks. The second night’s reception was held on Sydney Harbor at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Han Dong Hwan, PMP, of South Korea, a second-time attendee, summed up the feelings of many. “The congress experience has been very exciting, with very good networking opportunities,” he said. “The exhibitors provided detailed explanation and brochures on advanced training that are very useful. It is also a good place to look for business opportunity.”

Thank You
PMI relies heavily on volunteers, and the Congress Project Action Team (CoPAT) helps make congresses successful by reviewing the Areas of Focus material and other tasks. PMI would like to thank the CoPAT for the 2008 Asia Pacific Congress—Yassir Sohrab Abbasi, PMP; Brenda Treasure, PMP; and Ian Wolfe, PMP.

PMI would also like to thank the sponsors whose financial support helps support the event:

• Aldion Consulting Pte Ltd., for the keynote speaker’s appearance
• Cadence Management Corp., for the Taste of Australia networking reception
• Hewlett-Packard Australia Pte Ltd., for the Congress At-a-Glance Pocket Schedule
• International Institute for Learning, Inc., for congress bags
• Primavera Systems, Inc., for the Project Management Tools Area of Focus