By Dan Marran, C.P.M.

San Diego, CA, will host the 89th Annual CAPPO Educational Conference and Vendor Exposition from January 23 to 27, 2006. The conference venue, the Catamaran Resort Hotel, is located on the shores of Mission Bay. A tropical paradise even in
January, the resort will be the perfect compliment to the conference theme of ALOHA--Achievement-Leadership-Opportunity-Health-Attitude.

As a professional organization dedicated to the education, development, and support of public agency purchasing staff, the California Association of Public Purchasing Officers (CAPPO) has a long legacy of offering educational opportunities that meet the needs of all levels of public agency purchasing and contract management functions. Steadily growing since the formation of the group in 1915, CAPPO currently exceeds 1,100 members from within California and throughout the country.

The conference begins on Monday, January 23 with a full day pre-conference seminar titled "Mastering Strategic Procurement." This full day course is free with full conference registration. On site C.P.M. testing will be offered throughout the day for those ready to take the test.

Opening ceremonies begin on Tuesday followed by the Keynote Speaker, Michael Josephson who will be discussing Modern Day Ethics. Josephson is a nationally recognized writer, speaker, and radio personality on the subject of personal and professional ethics and his presentation is sure to be thought provoking. An
exciting mix of personal and professional workshops takes place Tuesday afternoon and the day wraps up with a relaxing reception on the Bahia Belle paddleboat, docked beside the hotel.

Workshops on negotiations as well as motivation will be offered Wednesday. Attendees will have the opportunity to find new suppliers and learn about new products at the Vendor Expo running throughout the day. The San Diego Blood Mobile will be on site for those who wish to contribute to a worthy cause.

Thursday kicks off with the always-popular group forums where attendees meet fellow buyers from similar agencies and discuss the issues that are most pressing at the moment. These sessions are valuable to all levels of the profession for the great volume of knowledge sharing available in the room.

The general session presentation will explore the health theme of the conference with an "Alternative Approach to Traditional Medicine." Professional development seminars round out the afternoon in anticipation of the President's Reception and Banquet, followed by an evening of entertainment by the Fabulous Mar Dels.

To close out the week, the CAPPO Board hosts a sit-down breakfast during the business session of the organization where annual reports are presented, election results are announced, and the new board is sworn in.

The full conference registration includes all educational offerings, vendor show, and nine meals, and is available for less than $100 per day.

Plan to join CAPPO in beautiful San Diego where procurement practitioners will share knowledge and celebrate the profession.

For more information on the conference, as well as CAPPO, visit: www.govinfo.bz/5197-254 or call the CAPPO office at 800-592-1970.

Editor's Note: Dan Marran, C.P.M., Purchasing Manager, City of Sparks, NV, is the 2006 CAPPO Conference Publicity Chair.