Rich in cultural heritage and community spirit, St. Louis is the backdrop for the 64th Annual Forum and Products Exposition hosted by the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP). The theme for the major North American gathering of government purchasing professionals is "Gateway to Excellence."

Public procurement professionals from federal, provincial, state and local government agencies in the United States and Canada will come together to network with colleagues and learn from industry leaders and professional speakers. The forum will provide a "gateway" to the useful best practices and innovations that drive excellence in public procurement. The St. Louis venue makes it a convenient educational and social opportunity, given the central location within driving distance for many NIGP members and chapter affiliates in the Midwest.

An extensive Products Exposition Hall, August 24-25, will feature the NIGP Green Pavilion and key suppliers and resources to support an agency's green excellence initiatives.

Worth spending travel dollars

Many procurement professionals are faced with fewer people and resources during the tough economic times, although the public clearly expects the same services from its government in good times and bad. The forum will provide knowledge to empower procurement professionals to meet those expectations in the austere business environment. Making sound, practical decisions for the good of an agency or institution is critical, and doing so requires awareness and understanding of the most effective practices at work in the field, which will be the focus of NIGP's Forum. The content-rich workshops and knowledge exchange will enable attendees to return home strengthened by new ideas and enriched professional skills.

Four days of intensive professional training, networking activities, product exhibits and knowledge sharing will elevate attendees' professional opportunities as they elevate the community and the public they serve. Attending the forum will put professionals at the forefront of procurement and equip them to make a difference through decisive, effective purchasing programs.

Through the Gateway to Excellence

Here are some highlights of the program:

Welcome Dinner

Saturday, August 22

The Gateway opens on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. with entertainment by master guitarist and humorist Mike Rayburn. He uses comedic presentation skills and guitar creations to challenge and encourage audiences to step beyond their perceived limitations. The program's blend of music, humor and insight will keep the audience laughing throughout the evening. The entertainment event is sponsored by the National Business Council.

The Welcome Dinner also features presentation of The Albert H. Hall Memorial Award, NIGP's top honor given annually since 1977 to publicly recognize leaders who have made major contributions to the public procurement profession over the span of their career.

Four Plenary Speakers

Meagan Johnson — “Zap the Gap”

Sunday, August 23, 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Meagan Johnson leads audiences on a journey of discovery to bridge the communication gap across generations. Her session will help attendees understand what it takes to maximize the effectiveness of a multigenerational workforce. Based on original research, the program provides tools and techniques to make working with older — and younger — colleagues more productive and less frustrating, more joyful and less painful.

John Schuster — “Leading Green: Saving the Planet with Everyday Action”

Monday, August 24, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

John Schuster explores the real opportunities to live in harmony with green principles as companies, citizens, communities and family members. He urges everyone to think about today, tomorrow, next year, next decade and the next generation in order to do the right thing. He says taking responsibility is at the core of green leadership, and urges everyone to face facts about how they think, and how they live and work.

Patrick Kuhse — “The Eight Slippery Steps to Unethical Behavior”

Tuesday, August 25, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Patrick Kuhse uses his personal story to illustrate the eight critical thinking errors that undermine one's ethical integrity and legal practice, while providing insight into common ethical dilemmas faced in business today.

Chief Richard Picciotto — “Last Man Down”

Wednesday, August 26, 3:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

In a presentation modeled after his best-selling book, "Last Man Down," Fire Department of New York Chief Richard Picciotto offers a tribute to the lives that were lost on Sept. 11, 2001. His story is not one of death and destruction, but a celebration of life and its unpredictable nature. He offers an eyewitness account of the defining historical event of our lives, providing the story of a man, a hero and a tragic event that inspired a nation.