We came, we connected, and we conquered! Ivalua NOW AMER 2025 in New Orleans was an event that exceeded all expectations, delivering an unforgettable experience for our thriving procurement community.
The vibrant energy of the “Big Easy” served as the perfect backdrop for two days of discussions, technology showcases, networking opportunities, and a few beignets along the way.
The iconic Caesars Superdome set an extraordinary backdrop as attendees were inspired to “elevate their game.” Hosting the event at the renowned home of the New Orleans Saints amplified the energy and excitement. It was the perfect stage for sharing groundbreaking insights and showcasing innovation, creating a truly unforgettable experience for all who attended.
This year’s theme focused on reshaping the procurement industry’s approach to innovation, tackling challenges, and uncovering fresh paths to success. So, without further ado…Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Partners: Innovation through Collaboration
Before the official event kickoff, we held a few sessions and a networking happy hour dedicated to our Partners. Throughout the day, it became evident that our partners are not merely contributors to our mission but the very foundation that drives it forward.
Together, we didn’t just talk about solving problems—we explored bold ideas, shared groundbreaking strategies, and collaborated on impactful solutions. Each session, discussion, and presentation showcased the power of teamwork in shaping possibilities that truly matter.
This year’s Partner Day was a celebration of innovation, collaboration, and the incredible potential we create when we work together. We’re already looking forward to the future we will continue to build together!
As always, a special thank you to our 2025 Partner sponsors!
Premium: Accenture, CGI, Deloitte, KPMG US, Optis Consulting, WNS Procurement
Hybrid: Amazon Business, Modali Consulting, OJC Conseil, Prewave, TransferMate Global Payments, Trustpair
Virtual: CKS Consulting, Imago Technology Solutions, Mastercard, parasus, YCP Supply Chain
Executive and Customer Keynotes: Elevating Procurement Success
Alex Saric, Ivalua’s Chief Marketing Officer, was first on the “50 yard line” with an introduction to our 2025 theme. We’re continually looking for ways to “Innovate to Elevate” as Procurement strategies undergo a significant transformation–requiring organizations to prioritize resilience while staying agile and adaptable in an ever-changing business landscape.
We then welcomed Ivalua CEO Franck Lheureux who proceeded with the question we must ask—how can we bring procurement to the next level of impact? By freeing up bandwidth, we open doors to greater insights and opportunities that elevate our role—not replace it. Innovation challenges us to make a choice; we either resist it or fully embrace it, knowing it has the power to redefine how we work.
Our CPO Pascal Bensoussan highlighted the importance of meaningful contributions across all teams and how they revolutionize the way we drive innovation. At our core, we bring something unique to the table. We not only learn from you but also innovate for you, building strategies that carry long-term value.
Together, we are committed to creating dynamic solutions that ensure procurement remains a driving force for success.
Saric was then joined on stage with one of our transformative customers–Geoffrey Gates, Senior Director of P2P and Technology for Supply Chain and Support Services at Cleveland Clinic.
The Cleveland Clinic is an intricate global healthcare operation, leveraging digital transformation to meet today’s goals while preparing for future success. Most importantly, their approach to digital transformation empowered procurement to better serve the business, employees, and customers. Gates shared valuable insights into their transformational journey, detailing the milestones achieved and the lessons learned along the way. Their story serves as an inspiring example of how digital innovation can drive meaningful change in even the most complex industries.
Sessions: Customer Success Stories
Day 1 also highlighted some of our most successful customer success stories. From overcoming complex challenges to spearheading innovative initiatives, their insights have inspired us to redefine the limits of what’s achievable in procurement and supply chain management!
Championing Digital Success: Paul Zammit, Bryon Russell, Jerry Grable
Strategic Sourcing: The Key to Protecting Your Margins: Doug Keeley, Tanya Roach, Jason Lowry, Dr. Thomas Germer
Defense Still Wins Championships: Proactive Management to Address Supply Chain Resiliency: Jarrod McAdoo, Ken Hoganson, Nicole Brackett, James Dinette
Success, Setbacks, and Surprises: Customer Journeys in Procurement Digitization: Ari Stone, Yiwei (Sophia) Rusling, Shannon Martin, Sougata Banerjee, Kurt Rapin
Preparing for AI Agent Powered Procurement: Vishal Patel, Matteo Perondi, Steven V., Brent Griffith
Day 2: More Keynotes, Sessions, and Silent Demos!
We started the day with opening remarks from Laura Smith, Ivalua’s VP Sales North America, and another interview-style session with Gaurav Saini, Chief Procurement Officer and Head of Corporate Services at Manulife. In the session “Driving Profitability and Agility in Today’s Dynamic Market”, Saini shared insights on their groundbreaking Source-to-Pay transformation, noting that it wasn’t just about achieving cost savings–it was about redefining what’s possible in procurement.
Through a strategic and forward-thinking approach, Manulife unlocked unprecedented levels of efficiency, strengthened risk management strategies, and built the agility needed to thrive amidst an evolving regulatory environment. Their transformation is a powerful example of how procurement can go beyond its traditional role, driving continuous value and delivering a far-reaching impact across the organization.
We then took an exciting leap into the future of procurement as Pascal Bensoussan, Ivalua’s visionary Chief Product Officer, delivered impactful insights during the Innovation, Trends, and Vision session. He unveiled cutting-edge platform advancements that are not only shaping the future of procurement but also redefining how businesses drive value and adaptability.
Innovation Showcase and Breakout Sessions
After Pascal, Vishal Patel and Ari Stone showcased our roadmap and the exciting breakthroughs that lie ahead, they switched gears into judges as they welcomed our very own Ivalua version of “Shark Tank”.
Presenters delivered their pitches infused with humor, engaging the audience and making their ideas stand out from the crowd. The judges found themselves both thoroughly entertained and genuinely impressed, making it a memorable showcase of innovation and creativity! What was your favorite?
Actionable Takeaways and Fresh Perspectives
We then pivoted to more sessions from our experts! Video replays coming soon for the following: Maximizing Value from your External Workforce Spend, Unlock The Source-to-Contract Savings Engine, Spend Compliance: Simplify The Buying Experience, Supplier Data Excellence: The Key to Efficient Procurement and Risk Management, and From Chaos to Clarity: A Conversational Procurement Experience with Intake Management.
Award Ceremony and Closing
As we neared the end of Day 2, we took a moment to recognize all of our Customers and Partners holding an award ceremony to highlight some notable contributions. Here’s to all those who make our community thrive!
Procurement Community Team Spirit: Best Advocate (Winner): CACI International Inc
Technology Innovation and Excellence Award (Winner): Cleveland Clinic
Procurement Trailblazer – Making a Difference (Winner): Teledyne Technologies Incorporated
Best New Deployment (Winner): State of Arizona
We were thrilled to recognize the outstanding contributions of our ecosystem with the AMER Partner of the Year Award! Congratulations to Accenture on their well-deserved honor.
To close the event, we proudly celebrated Ivalua’s 25th anniversary, reflecting on the incredible journey we’ve shared with our customers, partners, and team. It was a moment of gratitude and acknowledgment of everyone who has been part of our success story. Symbolizing triumph and the spirit of winning, we handed out Pittsburgh Steelers-inspired “Terrible Towels” to the crowd. The room came alive with energy as everyone waved their flags together, a unified display of enthusiasm and camaraderie.
With a wave of towels marking the finale, we concluded yet another unforgettable event, leaving everyone inspired and ready to continue driving success together.
Closing Party in True New Orleans Style
We’ll let the pictures speak for themselves here. Guests were greeted with an incredible display of floats at Mardi Gras World, with live artists at work. The displays were nothing short of remarkable up close!
After a bright and cheerful welcome, we were ushered to our second location with a vibrant brass band! The energy was palpable as we made our way to the Great Oaks Mansion. The backdrop, almost like a movie set—and we danced the night away under illuminated oak trees.
This is more than a celebration; it’s the grand finale of an experience crafted to inspire bold ideas, fuel your energy, and spark meaningful conversations that resonate long after the event.
What’s Next? More content, video replays, recaps and more! Stay tuned!
