W3 Conference
September 22 - 24, 2010 Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC
Thompson Rivers University is proud to host the fall 2010 W3 Conference. We are planning an informative & interactive agenda that will include:
* An opening evening reception on Wednesday in the Panorama Room on the TRU campus
* A dinner evening on Thursday with entertainment and networking opportunities
* Informational presentations focusing on how we are "surviving change"
About W3
Who Are We?
The W3 Conference is a joint initiative of three administrative bodies that represent financial, supply management and budgeting/resource planning departments of all universities in the western Canadian provinces. The name W3 stands for the three groups: WUFO, WUSMA & WARP.
WUFO (Western University Finance Officers)
WUFO was formed as an informal group in the early 1970s with the primary purpose of sharing information and discussing common concerns and emering issues facing the finance and accounting officers of western universities. Today, networking and sharing information about best practicies in university financial operations remain key activities. In addition to meeting annually, the members communicate on an ongoing basis through a listserv.
WUSMA (Western Universities Supply Management Association)
WUSMA comprises representatives from university supply and materials management operations. The purpose of WUSMA is to enhance professional purchasing standards among western university and college supply management personnel. Primary objectives include the promotion of value for monies expended in the procurement of goods and services for the member institutions, provision of technical resources for networking and encouragement of standardization of specifications for commonly purchased items. Members openly exchange policies, procedures and research related to supply and spend management and, where feasible, develops cooperative contracts as a means of reducing the cost of doing business.
WARP (Western Association of Resource Planners)
The mandate of WARP is to provide a forum for effective communication among those involved in resource planning activities. The conference provides an opportunity for sharing ideas, strategies and initiatives that advance resource planning best practices among the member instiutitons. Identification of partnership opportunities and provision of professional development programs are among the association's key objectives.
History and Membership
The W3 Conference originated in 1975 when a group of about 20 Western University Financial Officers started getting together once a year to share the experiences and discuss matters of common interest. It has since been hosted annually by member institutions on a rotational basis. Today, the conference is made up of the 3 groups and attended by approximately 100 delegates who benefit from a full-fledged conference with breakout sessions for the different particpating groups, joint group sessions and speakers with varying interests who address a wide variety of topics.
W3 Conference attendees typically hold positions as directors, managers or supervisors in universities and colleges in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan & Manitoba.