itSMF 2017 June Bulletin Bulletin -June 2017 | Page 3

Chair’s Report
CHAIRS REPORT
A Word from the Chairman
Dear Members
I flew down to Melbourne on June 3 rd to review, along with
the Conference Committee, the shortlisted speaker
submissions. We do this as an integral, and vital part of the
speaker selection process as we try to trim the shortlisted
proposals down to the figure we require for the event.
As you can imagine, this is a difficult task for many reasons
and at a number of levels. For a start, I know many of the
people who have submitted, so there is a strong personal
connection there – one that I need to put aside when I am
evaluating the submissions. Then there is the added issue of
tailoring the content to reflect the broad scope of what your
Forum actually does. This can mean that some otherwise fine
proposals don’t get an airing.
I was of course delighted to see that the number of speaker
proposals this year was greater in number than I have seen
3 itSMF Bulletin—June 2017
before. This is a useful measure of interest in the Conference
and also of the quality of thought leadership in the Forum
generally.
This last point is an important one – the Australian chapter
of itSMF is regarded as a leader across a number of fronts.
We are financially stable, we provide the secretarial services
for the International Board, we run a Conference which is
rightly regarded as one of the world’s best in service
management and our members are at the forefront of
innovation and leadership.
Finally, and on another matter altogether, I would like to
welcome Troy Latter to your Board of Directors. Troy is well
known in the ACT and he will bring considerable expertise to
the Board. He is an enthusiastic supporter of your Forum and
is a terrific addition to what is already an excellent Board.