Get Ready For NIGP's Biggest Event Of The Year - Forum 2007

 

August 4 - 8, 2007

62nd Annual Forum and Products Exposition

Connecticut Convention Center
Hartford, CT 




Forum 2007 Highlights

•  New this year!  Forum kicks off with an opening dinner on
   Saturday, August 4.  Join us for the opening ceremonies and enjoy
   entertainment by “The Water Coolers,” a New York-based music and
   comedy group that uses Broadway talent to satirically celebrate the things
   we share around the water cooler every day. 
  
•  Plenary sessions each day beginning Sunday, August 5, with Commander
   Scott Waddle, Retired, USN, who tells the compelling story about his tragic
   ordeal as captain of the USS Greenville and the choices that followed in the
   session “Failure is Not Final.”  It's a lesson about integrity, faith, and resilience. 

•  Other speakers include:
   Deirdre Lee, Director of Management and Chief Acquisition Officer for the
   Federal Emergency Management Agency 
   Dr. Steve Kelman, the Weatherhead Professor of Public Management at
   Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government
   Rob Stevenson, internationally recognized speaker and author of the
   best selling book "How To Soar Like An Eagle In A World Full Of Turkeys."
  
   Other plenary speakers will be announced!

•  42 workshop sessions with topics that include Social Responsibility, Green
   Purchasing, Leadership, Preparing for Emergencies, eProcurement, K-12  
   and much more. See Workshop Descriptions for the complete listing.

•  Pre-Forum Seminars start Friday, August 3.  NIGP is offering review classes
   for both the UPPCC CPPO and CPPB certifications; a two-day seminar,
   Fundamentals of Leadership and Management in Public Purchasing; and the
   Chapter Leadership Symposium on Saturday, August 4.  NIGP National
   committees will meet on Saturday morning as well. 

•  The LES Foundation Golf Tournament is Friday afternoon,
   August 3.  Details to follow in a later Buy Weekly.

•  A two-day Products Exposition, with more than 100 suppliers.  Find out
   which suppliers are already registered to participate by viewing our real-time
   online floorplan.  Don’t miss the networking reception on Monday, August 5
   after the hall closes, a great opportunity to connect with your current
   and potential suppliers.

•  A traditional New England Clam Bake is Sunday, August 5.
   Don’t miss the incredible eats, a view of the Connecticut River and some fine
   entertainment!  Take time to relax and enjoy a New England summer’s evening
   with the Host Committee.

With the exception of National Committee members and participants attending pre-Forum seminars, delegates should plan to arrive in Hartford on Saturday, August 5, in time to attend Opening Dinner that evening.

Four Forum Conference Hotels

1.  Marriott Hartford Downtown (host hotel)
2.  Residence Inn Hartford Downtown 
3.  The Hilton Hartford
4.  Crowne Plaza

Due to overwhelming early registration, the Marriott Hartford and the Residence Inn are currently sold out.  To make a reservation, complete the Housing Request Form and fax it to us at 703-736-9639.  Reservations must be submitted prior to the July 6th deadline in order to receive NIGP negotiated rates.  Reservations can also be made online at the time you register for the Forum. 

Delegates interested in saving on Forum-related expenses can take advantage of NIGP’s roommate finder program.  Interested parties should complete the Roommate Request Form and return it to the National Office.  Seeking a roommate to share the cost of accommodations can save nearly $400 in hotel expenses.

For more information and to register visit, NIGP 62nd Annual Forum and Products Exposition or contact the NIGP office at 800-367-6447 x227. 

“Insure Your Success in Hartford – New England’s Rising Star”

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Early Bird Savings Now Available

•  Register online and pay by April 30 to receive $50 off the
   standard registration fee.

Standard registration runs from May 1 through July 22.

A $50 late fee will apply for registrations received after July 22 and for onsite registration.  Don’t forget – first time Forum attendees receive an additional $50 discount! 

Join NIGP's Chapter Leadership Symposium

        “As a first timer, I enjoyed hearing what other chapters are doing 
                          and what my chapter needs to be doing?   
                                                                                   Kathleen Lindback, Charlotte County BOCC

             “Very helpful for building best practices for the needs of
                                              your chapter.”   
                                                                                    Loralei Poll, ADOT

            “Great job.  I really enjoyed it and learned a lot to help me
                                         over the next three years.”   
                                                               Cheryl Smith, Maricopa County

                                        “Extremely valuable.”    
                                                                                     Eileen Miller, Chemeketa Community College

                        “...All chapter leaders should attend.”   
                                                                                      Timothy Moore, VDOE

These are just a few of the comments from last year's attendees.  Discover firsthand what your peers are raving about by registering today for the third annual Chapter Leadership Symposium at Forum on Saturday, August 4.  If you are a NIGP Chapter leader or aspire to become one, this is a valuable learning opportunity.

Symposium Highlights:

•  Interactive training activities
•  New workable ideas and procedures
•  Key legal issues affecting chapters
•  Options for generating chapter revenue
•  Creative ways to get volunteers to commit
•  Networking opportunities with other chapter leaders

Registration deadline is July 20.

For details vist Chapter Leadership Symposium and Register Today. For more information, please contact Jennifer Steffan, Chapter Relations Manager, at jsteffan@nigp.org or call 800-367-6447 x232. 



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Showcase Your Chapter At Forum

Would you like the opportunity to host a complimentary booth at the Chapter Showcase?

Then apply for NIGP's Fourth Annual Chapter Showcase scheduled for Sunday, August 5 which gives our network of 75 Chapters a 'forum' to share their best-of-the-best chapter programs and provide innovative, outstanding ideas.  Chapters are encouraged to feature membership promotions, program successes, mentoring and coaching initiatives, fundraising campaigns, and tradeshows.  

Application deadline is Friday, May 25.

Visit Chapter Showcase to download or print the application.  For additional information or questions, email chapters@nigp.org or contact Jennifer Steffan, Chapter Relations Manager, at 800-367-6447 x232. [ return to top ]

Call for Entries: 2007 Best Practices and Innovations Awards

All public purchasing agencies are invited to enter the Ninth Annual Robin J. Zee Presidential Citation for Excellence and Outstanding Achievement "Best Practices" Awards and the NIGP Innovations in Public Procurement Awards.  These awards recognize NIGP member agencies who lead the way in public procurement by enacting policies and practices that have enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of their agency.  To qualify for this year's awards, submitted programs must be developed or created after January 2006.

Recipients of the Best Practices and Innovations Awards develop and implement new programs, policies or processes that enhance one or all of these six elements:

Does Diversity Bring Us Together or Split Us Apart?

This question is worthy of serious reflection and is the subject of this year's Annual Diversity Essay Contest brought to you by NIGP and the Diversity Committee.

Submitting Your Entry

Entries must be received on or before May 16 and submitted to Erik Steffan, Staff Liasion, via email at ESteffan@nigp.org or diversity@nigp.org.  All entries must be submitted electronically and include the author’s name, address, phone and fax numbers, and e-mail address.  NIGP will publish the winning essay in NIGP publications and on the NIGP Website.  Submission of an entry indicates your permission to publish.  Members of the Diversity Committee will evaluate submittals based on originality, format, message, content, focus, clarity, and grammar.

Contest Prizes

Contest winner and runners-up will be notified by mail and publicly announced at Forum.  The winning author will receive a $250 cash prize, two points toward CPPO or CPPB recertification, and qualifying points towards the Buyer/Manager of the Year Award.  This year’s Diversity Contest award winner will receive one complimentary registration to the 2007 Annual Forum in addition to the above prizes. 

Questions?  Contact Erik via e-mail ESteffan@nigp.org or phone 800-367-6447 x245.

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Call For Nominations: NIGP's Top Annual Awards

Nominations for the Institute’s highest awards, the Albert H. Hall Memorial Award, the Anne Deatherage Meritorious Service Award, and the Distinguished Service Award (DSA) are due by May 1.

NIGP's top honor, the Albert H. Hall Award, was established in 1977 and carries forward the name of the Institute's first Executive Vice President who served from 1944 to 1975. This award is presented to a current or former member who has made outstanding contributions to NIGP over an extended period of time.

The Distinguished Service Award (DSA), established in 1950, is an honor awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the promotion and development of NIGP or the public procurement profession.

The Anne Deatherage Meritorious Service Award, established in 2006 recognizes NIGP staff and other major contributors through exceptional leadership within NIGP, a NIGP Chapter affiliate and/or a NIGP strategic partner over an extended period of time.  The Institute named the award in honor of NIGP’s long-time employee and Deputy CEO, Anne Deatherage.

NIGP members are encouraged to submit nominations. The 2007 awards will be presented during Forum. 

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Is The Government Contractor Certificate Program For You?

NIGP is pleased to announce the 2007 seminar schedule for the Government Contractor Certificate (GCC) program.  These one-day seminars geared specifically toward the government contractor are taught by subject-matter experts, and in many cases, purchasing practitioners.  Upon completion of the program, participants earn the Government Contractor Certificate.  

Are you someone who sells products and services to the government?  Or are you a purchasing professional that knows a government contractor that could benefit from learning how to do business with the government?  Then take advantage of the NIGP Government Contractor Certificate Program.

NIGP offers these seminars nationally, on a contract basis with a specific company, or through the NIGP Chapter Network.  If your chapter is interested in hosting a GCC seminar for your local suppliers, or in conjunction with your chapter’s meetings, NIGP can arrange that for you.

2007 Seminar Schedule

June 5 - The Business of Government Sales: What Makes It So Different? 
Instructor -  Les Vallie, CPPO
Manhattan Beach, CA

August 4 - Sourcing -- Solicitation, Evaluation and Contract Award in the Public Sector
Instructor - Myra Smith, CPPB
Hartford, CT (in conjunction with NIGP Annual Forum)

October 9 - Contract Administration for Suppliers
Instructor - Bill Davison, CPPO
Dallas, TX

December 4 - The RFP Process
Instructor - Dick Florey, CPPO
Baltimore, MD

View GCC course descriptions and then schedule a seminar or get additional information on the GCC Program by contacting Michael Romero at mromero@nigp.org, or calling  800-367-6447 x248.

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ABA Symposium: Harmonizing State & Local Procurements, Nashville, TN

Thursday, May 17 - Saturday, May 19
Sheraton Nashville, Downtown

The Second Annual State and Local Procurement Symposium is presented by the American Bar Association, Section of Public Contract Law; National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO); National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Inc. (NIGP); and Information Association of America (ITAA).

The symposium examines market trends, procurement purposes and methods, best practices, key contract issues, the effects of the federal government on state and local procurement and other key topics for today's public procurement professionals. 

For more information and to register, visit ABA Symposium. [ return to top ]

Webinar: Preparing For The CPPO Oral Exam - What To Expect

Thursday, May 17
1PM - 2:30PM (Eastern)
Registration Deadline:  Wednesday, May 9

Course Objectives:

•  Recognize why there is a CPPO oral test component as part of the exam process
•  Identify what is expected of a candidate
•  List the various ways of preparing for the CPPO oral exam
•  Define the contractual relationship between the UPPCC and NIGP

                                              Presented By:

                                    
                                       William E. Hertwig, Jr.
                                 CPPO, CPPB, C.P.M., A.P.P.
                                           Assistant Director 
                   Procurement and Material Management Department
                                      MTA Metro-North Railroad
                                                New York, NY

Please note:  This Webinar will provide some typical practice examination questions but will not cover actual questions that will be asked during the CPPO examination.

Register Today

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