The global economic recovery is expected to result in deeper and more far-reaching change in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry than even the slowly receding global economic recession exacted. The downturn benefited outsourcing, as locators prioritized cost efficiency to sustain competitiveness and maintain growth. However, changing government, corporate, and industry objectives will pose new challenges and lead to unprecedented change as industry leaders address increasing competition from emerging locations, demand for new, complex business service sectors, and seek to leverage fast evolving social and applications technologies.

Beyond economies of scale and its associated cost savings, risk management, redundancy, skill sets, and regulatory environments are the next set of competitive differentiators for established and emerging outsourcing locations alike. Given these new realities, this year’s conference will consider whether the industry is prepared to replicate or extend the past decade of successful expansion by effectively addressing the challenges and capitalizing on new opportunities.

Following the success of the first international outsourcing summit in 2009, the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) is organizing its second major international conference, "International Outsourcing Summit: Global Market Leaders Addressing Global Issues" on October 26 and 27, 2010. This summit will address the core issues likely to determine the shape of the outsourcing our industry and its role as an integral partner in growing free-market economies.

For two days in October, top global industry executives will debate the future of BPO and provide insights into a fast-emerging, new age of offshore outsourcing that is expanding opportunities for the industry but creating new and complex challenges that will dramatically transform the industry.

Approximately 300 senior executives representing acknowledged global industry players are expected to attend the conference. Top industry executives, respected analysts, and domain experts will participate in sessions and panel discussions.

In light of the changes since the first outsourcing summit, how prepared is the industry to face new challenges? What are the new benchmarks for success in the post–crisis era? How has new leadership–here and in locators' countries–affected investor perception and outlook? And more importantly, can the industry replicate its previous decade of success?