Catalyst | Detroit 

A: Catalyst | Detroit is an invite-only, manufacturing-focused working session for Chief Procurement Officers, Heads of Direct Materials, and Supply Chain Executives responsible for creating value across the product lifecycle. It's a peer-driven event where 50 senior leaders tackle the operating model decisions that arise when AI accelerates across direct materials — from early supplier involvement in new product development to commodity strategy, should-cost modeling, value engineering initiatives, and production support.

This is not a technology conference or a typical procurement event. It's a structured working session designed specifically for direct materials leaders — focused on the decisions that indirect procurement playbooks don't address.

A: Four key differences:

1. Peer-Driven: All roundtables and masterminds are facilitated by current or former procurement leaders
2. Working Session Format: Small groups (4-8 people) working on real challenges, not passive listening
3. Invite-Only: We curate attendance to ensure the right mix of seniority and experience (a maximum of 80 practitioners)
4. Action-Oriented: You'll leave with decision frameworks and a documented 90-day commitment, not just inspiration

Unlike conferences focused on showcasing technology, Catalyst focuses on the 
leadership work: where AI stops and judgment begins, how to redeploy capacity, 
and what governance protects value.

A: No. This event serves any industry with direct materials procurement — including:

• Automotive and transportation
• Aerospace and defense
• Industrial manufacturing
• Electronics and technology hardware
• Consumer packaged goods
• Chemicals and materials
• Medical devices and equipment
• Food and beverage production

The common thread is complex bill of materials, multi-tier supply networks, and manufacturing environments where procurement creates value from early design through production — spanning supplier innovation, commodity intelligence, cost modeling, value engineering, and supply continuity.

• Quality peer matching in mastermind groups
• Depth of conversation in roundtables
• Everyone can connect with facilitators and thought partners
• Psychological safety to discuss real challenges candidly

A: Catalyst | Detroit is designed for:

Roles:

• Chief Procurement Officers (CPOs)
• Supply Chain Executives
• Heads of Global/Enterprise Procurement
• VPs of Procurement
• Heads of Procurement Transformation or Centers of Excellence
• Senior Directors shaping enterprise procurement strategy
• CPO-direct reports leading category, digital, or supplier management

Mindset:

• You're deploying AI (whether pilots, early scale, or embedded) or are considering doing so.
• You need to redesign your operating model *alongside* AI, not after
• You want peer input on real decisions where AI makes decisions and where human judgment remains essential

A: No. The operating model questions are universal regardless of your deployment stage.

Whether you're just starting, running pilots or managing embedded capabilities, you face the same leadership decisions:

• Where does human judgment belong?
• How do you redeploy capacity before it's reassigned?
• What governance protects value without slowing execution?
• What work should you stop protecting?

The format (masterminds and roundtables) allows you to engage with these questions at your organization's maturity level, with peers facing similar decisions.

A: Yes. Many executives attend with 1-2 members of their leadership team (e.g., Head of Transformation, VP of Category Management). We offer group rates for teams. Contact us at contact@artofprocurement.com for details.

However, this event is designed for senior executives only — not broad team training. Everyone should be at a senior level with authority over operating model decisions.

A: The full agenda will be made available as soon as it is completed, but here's the high-level flow:

Morning (9:00am - 12:00pm):

• Strategic framing presentations
• Practitioner-led roundtables (choose 2 of 8 topics)

Afternoon (1:15pm - 4:45pm):

• Partner insights
• Mastermind hot seats (small groups of 4 with facilitator)
• ProcureTech100 judges debate real scenarios
• 90-day commitment and closing

Evening (4:45pm+):

• Networking reception

A: Masterminds are the highest-rated element from previous Catalyst events.

Format:

• Small groups of 4 participants + 1 facilitator
• Each person gets 15 minutes for a "hot seat" session

What makes them different from breakout sessions:

• Capped at 4 people (not 15-20)
• Dedicated facilitator guides discussion
• You bring a real challenge (not theoretical)
• Focused peer consultation, not general discussion

Think of it as an executive advisory session with peers facing the same trade-offs.

A: Four tangible deliverables:

1. Direct Materials Decision Framework: Where AI stops and judgment begins across NPD, commodity strategy, should-cost, VA/VE, and production
2. Manufacturing Operating Model Canvas: One-page tool for mapping authority, capacity, and accountability across the product lifecycle
3. Peer-Validated Governance Checklist: Critical questions for protecting value across direct materials decisions
4. Peer Network: Direct connections to CPOs and supply chain leaders facing the same manufacturing challenges

A: Business casual. We want you comfortable for a full day of working sessions, small group discussions, and peer problem-solving. Think "executive working session" not "leadership presentation."

A: Your $500 registration includes:

• Full-day working session (9:00am - 4:45pm)
• Breakfast and lunch
• Morning and afternoon refreshments
• All session materials and frameworks
• Access to peer network
• Networking reception

Not included: Hotel accommodations, travel, dinner

A:

• 60+ days before event: Full refund
• 30-59 days before event: 50% refund or transfer to future Catalyst event
• Less than 30 days: No refund, but you may transfer your registration to a colleague

Given the invite-only, curated nature of the event, we encourage you to confirm availability before registering.