CSCMP annual conference kicks off in Kissimmee, Fla.

It sounds like it could be the wind-up for a joke: An astronaut, a digital technology expert, and a drummer speak at a supply chain conference. But it's actually going to happen in September. The Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) recently released the lineup of general session speakers for its upcoming annual conference, and all three were on the list.

Though they may have no obvious connection to supply chain management, CSCMP says there's a reason for its picks. It hopes that these diverse presenters will provide insights that will inspire attendees to think about their careers and organizations in new ways. The conference, which takes place from Sept. 25 to 28 in Kissimmee, Fla., will kick off with an address by Captain Scott Kelly, a U.S. astronaut and retired Navy captain who recently returned from spending a year on board the International Space Station with cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko. Kelly's identical twin, Mark—himself a retired astronaut—stayed home on earth, offering a priceless opportunity for scientists to study the effects of living in space on the human body. The following day, attendees will have the opportunity to hear a presentation by Seth Bodnar, chief digital officer for GE Transportation. Bodnar will talk about ways to bring machines, data, insights, and people together to create real-time connectivity and data intelligence.

Mark Schulman will close out the conference with a look at how habits and practices used by great musical performers can be translated into the corporate world. Schulman is a world-renowned drummer who has performed with the likes of Pink, Beyoncé, Cher, Billy Idol, Foreigner, and Sheryl Crow, to name just a few. Register for the conference.