North America's government purchasing professionals will be gathering for the 64th annual Forum and Products Exposition hosted by the Herndon, Va.-based National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP). The event, which is being held at the America's Center in St. Louis, Mo., begins on August 22 and continues through August 26. The theme for this year's conference and exposition is Gateway to Excellence. The Products Exposition is open August 24 and 25, and features the NIGP Green Pavilion with suppliers and resources that support green excellence initiatives.

Welcome Reception

Saturday, August 22

The welcome reception features the presentation of the Albert H. Hall Award, NIGP's highest honor, and entertainment by guitarist and humorist, Mike Rayburn.

Plenary Sessions

Zap the Gap

Meagan Johnson

Opening General Session Speaker

Sunday, August 23

In her session, Meagan Johnson discusses what it takes to maximize a multi-generational workforce. Based on original research, this program provides tools and techniques that make working with older and younger colleagues more productive and less frustrating.

Leading Green: Saving the Planet With Everyday Action

John Schuster

Monday, August 24

John Schuster explores the opportunities for companies, residents, communities and families to live in harmony with green principles. Prior to starting his business, he was the Director of Human Resources for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Kansas City, Chicago and Washington, D.C. He was named trainer of the year by the Kansas City chapter of the American Society of Training and Development. He is an executive coach and serves as a faculty member at the coaching certification program run by the Hudson Institute of Santa Barbara.

The Eight Slippery Steps to Unethical Behavior

Patrick Kuhse

Tuesday, August 25

Using his personal story to illustrate the eight critical thinking errors that undermine ethical integrity and legal practice, Patrick Kuhse provides insight into common ethical dilemmas faced in business today. Formerly a Wall Street stock broker, Patrick withheld important investor information from his clients. Later, as the investment advisor for Oklahoma's multi-billion dollar investment portfolio, he illegally increased his commission. After being discovered, Kuhse spent four years in Costa Rica, avoiding the FBI and the federal government. Eventually, he turned himself in, and spent four years in prison. Today, he is an ethics fellow at the University of Florida and Suffolk University, and speaks to audiences about the importance of ethical behavior.

Last Man Down

Chief Richard Picciotto

Closing General Session Speaker

Wednesday, August 26

Richard Picciotto was a Fire Department of New York Battalion Commander in Manhattan on September 11, 2001. After going inside the World Trade Center North Tower to rescue survivors, he became trapped after its collapse. Buried for more than four hours, he emerged virtually unscathed and was the highest-ranking firefighter to survive the collapse. In a presentation modeled after his book, Last Man Down, Picciotto offers a tribute to the lives that were lost and offers an eyewitness account of a defining historical event.