The National Purchasing Institute (NPI) invites attendees to “Challenge Your Mind in Scottsdale, 2009” at the NPI's 41st Annual Conference and Products Exposition, Sept. 13-16, at the Doubletree Paradise Valley Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz. NPI's 2009 President is Mark Neihart, director of procurement for Tucson, Ariz.

Conference Program Chair Kathleen Bender, contract administrator for the city of Tucson, Ariz., has put together the program of presenters offering current topics of interest. Conference Exhibits and Sponsorships Chair Ron Williamson, program development coordinator with the Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments, has coordinated an accompanying products exposition. Beth Fleming, director of purchasing for Denton County (Texas) and chair of the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Committee, is scheduled to make award presentations at the outset of the conference.

Here is an overview of some of the planned sessions:

Monday, Sept. 14

8:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Opening Ceremony and Breakfast: “Prominence to Prison: Why Smart People Do Dumb Things”

10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Carlton N. Parker Award and Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Awards Ceremony

1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. “A Framework for Ethical Decision-Making in the Public Sector”

“Employees Don't Leave Companies, They Leave Bosses: How to Ensure You Are Not One of Those Bosses”

2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. “The Advantage of Great Service…to You and Your Customers”

“Is It Greener on the Other Side (of the Pond)?

4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Negotiation and Conflict Management: “Two Visions of How to Negotiate and Deal with Conflict Effectively”

“Hands Off My Contract!”

6:00 p.m. Presidential Banquet

Tuesday, Sept. 15

8:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. “Lean Times Require Great Leadership”

9:45 a.m.-11:00 a.m. “Change Management Skills for Procurement Professionals”

“Change Your Perspective: Procurement's Role in the Budget Crisis”

11:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Business Meeting and Presentation of Officers

12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. Buyer/Supplier Lunch and Roundtable

1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Buyer/Supplier Expo

4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Wine and Cheese Reception

Wednesday, Sept. 16

8:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. “Laugh to Keep from Crying: A Cartoonist's Perspective”

9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m. “Humor on Laff Support”

“Price Indexing for More Effective and Efficient Contract Administration”

11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. “ISM: What We Are; Where We're Headed”

“How to Give Your RFP Process an Overhaul”

12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Installation of Officers and Lunch

1:30 p.m.-2:45 p.m. “The Ten Commandments of Effective Leadership”

“Meandering Down the Path of Recent Judicial Decisions, Pesky Contract Issues and Statutory Changes in State and Local Procurement Law”

3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. “Are You Achieving Success? Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award¨ (AEP)”

“Speak to Sell Yourself”