More than 1,000 public procurement professionals from federal, provincial, state and local government agencies in the United States and Canada will converge at the Salt Palace Convention Center for the Annual Forum hosted by NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement.

The NIGP Forum is the largest North American conference exclusively for public procurement. The Forum is NIGP’s showcase educational event providing an ideal environment for networking with colleagues and suppliers, attending educational workshops led by subject matter experts in the field, and being motivated and inspired by professional speakers during general sessions. Go here for details on the 2017 NIGP Forum.

Attendees can also visit with over 190 suppliers during the Products Exposition on Sunday and Monday (August 27 – August 28). The Expo provides an opportunity for one-on-one interaction and networking with suppliers as well as a real hands-on experience with the latest products and services available to the government.

More than 70 specialized educational workshops and formal networking opportunities are available to help improve skills, learn best practices, or provide a platform to gain support from colleagues on issues that are faced every day. Attendees return strengthened and energized with new ideas and improved professional skills.

FORUM HIGHLIGHTS

Sunday, August 27*

8:45AM – 10:15AM Opening Plenary with Keynote Speaker: Vinh Giang (photo below to right)
10:30AM – 12:30PM Conversations That Connect: Agency Roundtable Discussions

Conversations That Connect:  Agency Roundtable Discussions
10:30AM – 12:30PM

Like-minded colleagues from similar agencies across the country come together to share ideas and triumphs. From authorities to cities to counties to higher education – the discussions are relevant, practical and energizing. Discover new ways of solving an old problem or get helpful advice on how to tweak an existing procedure. The opportunities to add value to your procurement process and exchange information are endless.

3PM – 6PM Products Exposition

Monday, August 28*

8:30AM – 9:45AM Keynote: Katherine Barrett and Richard Greene
10AM – 1:30PM Products Exposition
6:30PM – 10PM Social Event – The Leonardo

Tuesday, August 29*

8:30AM – 9:45AM Keynote: Eileen McDargh (photo at left)
12:30AM – 2:30PM Awards Luncheon

Wednesday, August 30*

8:30AM – 9:30AM – Extreme Networking
11AM – 12Noon Plenary TED Talk Style: Greg Higgins, David Kim and Lynn Schubert
1:30PM – 3:30PM Deep Dive Sessions NEW

NEW TED Talk-Style Sessions

Wednesday, August 30th
 

11AM – 12PM
Three fascinating topics and speakers:  
Cybersecurity Strategies for Publlc Procurement Organizations  
presented by David Kim, CISSP, QSA, Principal Consultant, ITPG Secure Compliance
Public procurement organizations within federal, state, county, and city governments are not immune to cyberattacks and data breaches. This session addresses recent attacks (Phishing, WannaCry, etc.), and data breaches in the public sector, and what you and your procurement organization can do to mitigate the threat from a hacker or data breach.
Procurement Talent: Building a Legacy Based on People
presented by Greg Higgins, Ph.D., Periscope Holdings, Inc.

This session focuses on the importance of talent management in the public sector, the definition and principles of talent management, actionable tactics for hiring smarter, onboarding and development, and a call to action for session participants.  

Surety Bonds: From the Basic to the Advanced
presented by Lynn Schubert, J.D., Surety & Fidelity Association of America
You know surety bonds are required for public works projects and to obtain certain licenses, but do you know how to get the most value from your surety protection? Are surety bonds relevant with new procurement methods such as P3s? Learn why bonding matters.

1:30PM – 3:30PM – Deep Dive Sessions
The conversations in these sessions keep going during a two-hour deep dive.

*Educational Sessions throughout the day

NIGP Forum 2017
 

Wednesday, August 30* (continued)

3:45PM – 5PM Closing Plenary with Keynote Speaker: Phil Hansen

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Vinh Giang
Sunday, August 27
8:45AM – 10:15AM
Topic: The Psychology of Illusion: The Power of Perspective

Vinh Giang is a businessperson and entrepreneur. While in his 20s, he started an online business with two good friends who decided to leave their careers in accounting and pharmacy and pursue their dream of building a successful business. Their online platform, Encyclopedia of Magic, now teaches magic to almost 50,000 students around the world. For this innovative and successful business idea, Vinh and his friends were awarded Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Vinh’s mission in business and life is to share the psychology of illusion. He has devoted himself to understanding the ways in which people are fooled by illusions and by the tricks we play on ourselves. Hearing Vinh opens your mind to new possibilities, as he takes us on an unforgettable journey through stories, remarkable insights into human psychology, business and the wonderful art of magic.

Katherine Barrett and Richard Greene
Monday, August 28
8:30AM – 9:45AM
Topic:  Procurement in States and Localities: A View from the Front

Katherine Barrett and Richard Greene, Principals, Barrett and Greene, Inc. Barrett and Greene — a husband and wife team — have focused on the field of state and local government through research, analysis, consultation and writing for over twenty-five years.

The team (photo at right) are senior fellows at the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania; special project consultants to the Volcker Alliance; senior fellows with the Council of State Governments and fellows in the National Academy of Public Administration. They have also co-written five books and have helped found two organizations: GovPerformance and the State Government Workforce Project.

Eileen McDargh
Tuesday, August 29
8:30AM – 9:45AM
Topic: Cultivating Radical Resiliency

Eileen McDargh believes that resiliency is a critical life skill and one that requires the energy of connections. She draws upon practical business know-how, life’s experiences and years of consulting to major national and international organizations.

Executive Excellence magazine continually ranks her as one of the top 50 thought leaders in self-leadership development. As a business author and commentator, Eileen has appeared on network news, on radio programs and in business journals and in major metropolitan newspapers.

 
Phil Hansen
Wednesday, August 30
3:45PM – 5PM
Topic: Embrace the Shake: Transforming Limitations into Opportunities

Phil Hansen (photo to left) is an internationally recognized multimedia artist, speaker, author and innovator. He works at the intersection of traditional art, electronic media, offbeat materials, and interactive experiences. When a tremor developed in his drawing hand, his artistic journey nearly came to an end. In exploring new ways to create art, Phil discovered that by embracing his shake, limitations could become the passageway to creativity.
He shares his powerful message of finding creativity within limitations that will inspire you to stop looking on the outside, and start looking inside yourself for resources that can transform your challenges into opportunities for success.

*Educational Sessions throughout the day

Go here for details on the 2017 NIGP Forum.