Global Community

Hi everyone!

We're currently working on our 2026 planning, and we're aiming to have a pair of Online Expos: One in April and one in October.

As members of the Exemplar Global Community, you are the perfect group to weigh in on the general themes and specific topics you'd like to see us cover in our Expos this coming year. Think about the issues you encounter regularly, the questions you have about how to do your job better, and/or ways you can further your careers.

We would also love your insights in the format of our Expos. Do you like presentations with lots of bullet points and detail, or more open-ended, free-flowing conversations? Are you interested in live sessions in which you can pose questions to our speakers in real time, or do you prefer to just watch on demand at your convenience?

Your feedback is immensely important to help us design these events to best suit your needs. Please post your thoughts here in this thread or email me directly.

Thanks!  

------------------------------
Mike Richman
Manager, Communications and Content
Exemplar Global
mrichman@exemplarglobal.org
+1 (530) 864-2540
------------------------------

Hello Mike,

Here are my responses to your questions:

Some Topics could include: 

1) QMSR implementation updates/ FDA audits to QMSR and MDSAP

2) Applying risk management concepts ISO14971 to MDSAP and medical device devlopment

3) Improving QMS so that personnel can follow processes more efficiently

Format: Bullet points with detailed explanation from experience

Live/On Demand: Live with the option to receive the recording

I really enjoyed the expos that involved multiple experts in a panel discussion but I think I gained more applicable knowledge from the one speaker/one topic presentations.

Regards,

Nanda

------------------------------
Nanda Filkin
QA Scientist
Arete Biosciences
------------------------------

Thank you, Nanda! Excellent feedback. Might you like to present on one of these topics?

------------------------------
Mike Richman
Manager, Communications and Content
Exemplar Global
mrichman@exemplarglobal.org
+1 (530) 864-2540
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2025 06:50 AM
From: Nanda Filkin
Subject: Expo topics

Hello Mike,

Here are my responses to your questions:

Some Topics could include: 

1) QMSR implementation updates/ FDA audits to QMSR and MDSAP

2) Applying risk management concepts ISO14971 to MDSAP and medical device devlopment

3) Improving QMS so that personnel can follow processes more efficiently

Format: Bullet points with detailed explanation from experience

Live/On Demand: Live with the option to receive the recording

I really enjoyed the expos that involved multiple experts in a panel discussion but I think I gained more applicable knowledge from the one speaker/one topic presentations.

Regards,

Nanda

------------------------------
Nanda Filkin
QA Scientist
Arete Biosciences
------------------------------

Mike,

I would happy to help present on the topic 3) Improving QMS so that personnel can follow processes more efficiently.

Thank you for this opportunity.

-Nanda

------------------------------
Nanda Filkin
QA Scientist
Arete Biosciences
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-19-2025 02:14 PM
From: Michael Richman
Subject: Expo topics

Thank you, Nanda! Excellent feedback. Might you like to present on one of these topics?

------------------------------
Mike Richman
Manager, Communications and Content
Exemplar Global
mrichman@exemplarglobal.org
+1 (530) 864-2540
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2025 06:50 AM
From: Nanda Filkin
Subject: Expo topics

Hello Mike,

Here are my responses to your questions:

Some Topics could include: 

1) QMSR implementation updates/ FDA audits to QMSR and MDSAP

2) Applying risk management concepts ISO14971 to MDSAP and medical device devlopment

3) Improving QMS so that personnel can follow processes more efficiently

Format: Bullet points with detailed explanation from experience

Live/On Demand: Live with the option to receive the recording

I really enjoyed the expos that involved multiple experts in a panel discussion but I think I gained more applicable knowledge from the one speaker/one topic presentations.

Regards,

Nanda

------------------------------
Nanda Filkin
QA Scientist
Arete Biosciences

Hi Mike

Thanks for the opportunity to provide some input into future Expos!

I think it would be great to have a topic around auditing across the globe, to give everyone a better understanding of how the same standards and processes might occur differently in different jurisdictions.

As well as being a super interesting learning, it would assist people like me, who are looking at what opportunities might be available in other countries, to identify existing transferrable skills, or where further upskilling/learning might be required.

As far as format is concerned, I'm a fan of more conversational presentations, where panelists can present a variety of viewpoints and engage in active discussions. I think having these sessions live, with a recording available after the fact, would be ideal.

Thanks

Kat.

------------------------------
Katherine Stacey
Senior Risk Consultant
------------------------------

Thank you, Katherine! Glad to hear that you enjoy the live sessions... we like doing them, too, simply for the immediacy and ability for viewers to interact directly and in real time with our speakers.

Might you like to present or participate in a panel at our next Expo, coming up in April?

------------------------------
Mike Richman
Manager, Communications and Content
Exemplar Global
mrichman@exemplarglobal.org
+1 (530) 864-2540
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-17-2025 07:22 PM
From: Katherine Stacey
Subject: Expo topics

Hi Mike

Thanks for the opportunity to provide some input into future Expos!

I think it would be great to have a topic around auditing across the globe, to give everyone a better understanding of how the same standards and processes might occur differently in different jurisdictions.

As well as being a super interesting learning, it would assist people like me, who are looking at what opportunities might be available in other countries, to identify existing transferrable skills, or where further upskilling/learning might be required.

As far as format is concerned, I'm a fan of more conversational presentations, where panelists can present a variety of viewpoints and engage in active discussions. I think having these sessions live, with a recording available after the fact, would be ideal.

Thanks

Kat.

------------------------------
Katherine Stacey
Senior Risk Consultant
------------------------------

Hi Mike

I would be more than happy to be part of a panel discussion. :-)

Thanks

Kat

------------------------------
Katherine Stacey
Senior Risk Consultant
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-19-2025 02:16 PM
From: Michael Richman
Subject: Expo topics

Thank you, Katherine! Glad to hear that you enjoy the live sessions... we like doing them, too, simply for the immediacy and ability for viewers to interact directly and in real time with our speakers.

Might you like to present or participate in a panel at our next Expo, coming up in April?

------------------------------
Mike Richman
Manager, Communications and Content
Exemplar Global
mrichman@exemplarglobal.org
+1 (530) 864-2540
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 11-17-2025 07:22 PM
From: Katherine Stacey
Subject: Expo topics

Hi Mike

Thanks for the opportunity to provide some input into future Expos!

I think it would be great to have a topic around auditing across the globe, to give everyone a better understanding of how the same standards and processes might occur differently in different jurisdictions.

As well as being a super interesting learning, it would assist people like me, who are looking at what opportunities might be available in other countries, to identify existing transferrable skills, or where further upskilling/learning might be required.

As far as format is concerned, I'm a fan of more conversational presentations, where panelists can present a variety of viewpoints and engage in active discussions. I think having these sessions live, with a recording available after the fact, would be ideal.

Thanks

Kat.

------------------------------
Katherine Stacey
Senior Risk Consultant

Hi Mike,

Thanks for opening this up to the community. Smart move! It's always exciting to see how the Exemplar Global Expos evolve each year.

A few themes I've seen growing in importance among clients and organizations I work with include:

• Strategic alignment before strategic deployment - how the best strategy is useless without leadership alignment.

• Practical, real-world applications of SIPOCs and Turtle Diagrams - to drive communication, cross-functional understanding, and process improvement.

• Bridging the gap between compliance and strategy - using management systems to create value rather than just meet requirements. (We call this "competitive compliance".)

• Modern approaches to internal audits that emphasize process behavior, risk-based thinking, and organizational maturity as a connection to business impact.

In terms of format, I've found that people tend to get the most value from interactive sessions vs. formal training. I like to encourage structured conversations with practical examples, templates, and time for Q&A. Even the use of some of the other newer technology like launching polls, asking attendees to annotate, etc. Open-ended discussions with real scenarios resonate strongly, especially when attendees can engage directly with the speakers or an admin assistant can curate the questions, pick a select few, and prompt discussion.

I'd be glad to contribute further or share more detail if helpful as you shape the agenda. Looking forward to seeing how the 2026 Expos come together!

Best regards,
James

------------------------------
All the best,
James

--

James R. Thompson
COO/CIO & Technical Leader
Concentric Global | Office: 843.608.0127
------------------------------

Terrific comments, Jim... thank you. All of these are good topics, so let's circle back as we start to pull together the sessions. I'd like your feedback as the agenda takes shape.

P.S.... thanks for the excellent work on our podcast! Looking forward to the next one.

------------------------------
Mike Richman
Manager, Communications and Content
Exemplar Global
mrichman@exemplarglobal.org
+1 (530) 864-2540
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-19-2025 04:33 PM
From: James Thompson
Subject: Expo topics

Hi Mike,

Thanks for opening this up to the community. Smart move! It's always exciting to see how the Exemplar Global Expos evolve each year.

A few themes I've seen growing in importance among clients and organizations I work with include:

• Strategic alignment before strategic deployment - how the best strategy is useless without leadership alignment.

• Practical, real-world applications of SIPOCs and Turtle Diagrams - to drive communication, cross-functional understanding, and process improvement.

• Bridging the gap between compliance and strategy - using management systems to create value rather than just meet requirements. (We call this "competitive compliance".)

• Modern approaches to internal audits that emphasize process behavior, risk-based thinking, and organizational maturity as a connection to business impact.

In terms of format, I've found that people tend to get the most value from interactive sessions vs. formal training. I like to encourage structured conversations with practical examples, templates, and time for Q&A. Even the use of some of the other newer technology like launching polls, asking attendees to annotate, etc. Open-ended discussions with real scenarios resonate strongly, especially when attendees can engage directly with the speakers or an admin assistant can curate the questions, pick a select few, and prompt discussion.

I'd be glad to contribute further or share more detail if helpful as you shape the agenda. Looking forward to seeing how the 2026 Expos come together!

Best regards,
James

------------------------------
All the best,
James

--

James R. Thompson
COO/CIO & Technical Leader
Concentric Global | Office: 843.608.0127
------------------------------