Reflecting on 2024: A Year of Partnership, Progress and Procurement Excellence

Contributed by guest author Deanna McConville, Partner Success Manager at PASA.

As we near the end of 2024, it’s the perfect time to reflect on a transformative year for the procurement profession. This year’s PASA events not only showcased the evolving strategic importance of procurement but also highlighted its expanding role in driving business and societal value.

Our robust calendar at PASA enables us to deliver dynamic events that tackled some of the most pressing challenges in the procurement landscape while giving organisations the opportunities to connect with technology providers who aim to help them tackles these challenges, head on.

Here’s a glimpse into what we learned this year to elevate the conversation and inspire action across the procurement community in 2025.

PASA Health & Aged Care Procurement Conference

This conference offered a deep dive into the unique demands of healthcare and aged care procurement. From achieving resilient supply chains to integrating technology into the resident experience, this conference underscored how procurement impacts the quality and consistency of care delivery. Attendees gained actionable insights on balancing ethical sourcing with operational efficiency - a key theme for this growing sector.

Sustainable Procurement & ESG Conference

Sustainability and governance were front and centre at the ESG Conference, where attendees explored a virtual conference arena to learn how to successfully embed ESG elements into their procurement practices. The agenda offered a variety of expert advice to overcome the obstacles being faced by teams due to ever-evolving policies and changing priorities. VendorPanel joined in to offer information on their technology solutions which help create consistency and ESG enablement.

The 13th PASA CPO Exchange

This exclusive gathering for senior leaders explored procurement’s potential as a strategic driver. Themes of transparency, trust, and long-term value creation resonated deeply. VendorPanel highlighted how its technology empowers procurement to align with organisational goals while fostering compliance and accountability—key factors in building competitive advantage.

PASA Connect Big Breakfast Series

Our Sydney and Auckland breakfasts were an intimate yet impactful way to bring local leaders together. These networking events focused on regional challenges and sparked fresh ideas, with thought-provoking presentations from various industry leaders. VendorPanel’s standout presentation, “No News is Good News: A Guide to Navigating Audit Season” captivated attendees. By showcasing how technology streamlines compliance and embeds ethical practices, they provided a clear path for procurement teams to turn roadblocks into measurable, actionable outcomes.

PASA Premier Confex

The year concluded with a bang at our flagship event, the Premier Confex. This grand finale celebrated procurement’s ability to embrace digitisation, leverage data, and proactively manage risks. A standout moment was the official unveiling of the merged VendorPanel and Unimarket offering, showcased through a joint booth and an engaging stage presentation. This milestone marked a new chapter in procurement innovation, offering a comprehensive Source-to-Pay suite designed to enhance collaboration and efficiency.

Resilient Supply Chains are critical

The healthcare and aged care sectors emphasised the need for resilient supply chains to ensure consistent, high-quality care delivery. Balancing ethical sourcing with operational efficiency will remain a priority as procurement continues to support critical industries.

Sustainability and ESG are here to stay

Embedding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into procurement practices is essential as policies and priorities evolve. Leveraging technology to create consistency and facilitate ESG initiatives is a strategic advantage for procurement teams.

Procurement as a strategic driver

Transparency, trust, and long-term value creation are key themes defining procurement’s role as a strategic enabler. Modern solutions, like those from VendorPanel, align procurement with organisational goals while fostering compliance and accountability.

Technology streamlines compliance and ethical practices

From simplifying audits to embedding ethical practices, technology offers procurement teams the tools to transform challenges into actionable outcomes. Leaders who embrace these solutions can improve efficiency and deliver measurable results.

Digitisation and collaboration define the future

The integration of data-driven insights, risk management tools, and collaborative solutions marks the next chapter in procurement innovation. The evolution of comprehensive source-to-contract platforms demonstrates the industry's commitment to enhancing efficiency and fostering partnerships.

As we prepare for 2025, I’m predicting three key trends are poised to shape the procurement agenda:

Risk Mitigation: Persistent and ongoing supply chain disruptions will continue to drive the growing demand for tools and technologies that enhance supply chain visibility and improve responsiveness to challenges. These solutions will also empower organisations to anticipate risks and build more resilient strategies.

Organisation-wide Integration: Achieving seamless collaboration between procurement, finance, and operations teams will be crucial for unlocking stronger, more cohesive, and aligned business outcomes. Such integration fosters agility, enabling quicker and more informed decision-making across the organisation.

Relationship Management: Fostering deeper levels of trust and greater transparency with suppliers and key stakeholders will become increasingly essential for maximising overall value and long-term partnerships. Stronger relationships also provide a foundation for innovation and mutual growth opportunities.

With procurement more innovative, responsible, and integrated than ever, PASA is excited to continue supporting the community’s evolution. Partnering with industry-shaping organisations like VendorPanel and Unimarket, we’re committed to delivering events that empower procurement professionals to meet tomorrow’s challenges head-on.

Let’s make 2025 a year of collaboration, innovation, and impact - together. Check out our upcoming events here, and don’t miss your chance to be part of the conversation shaping the future of procurement.

Deanna McConville