Procurement communities and champions to convene in Philly
More than 800 public procurement professionals from federal, provincial, state and local government agencies in the United States and Canada will converge at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown for the 69th Annual Forum hosted by NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement.
NIGP Forum is the largest North American conference exclusively for public procurement. 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.
Attendees can visit with nearly 200 suppliers during the Products Exposition on Monday and Tuesday (Aug. 25 and 26). 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 government.
More than 60 specialized educational workshops and formal networking opportunities are available to help improve skills, learn best practices, and provide a platform to gain support from colleagues on issues they face every day. Attendees will return strengthened by new ideas and improved professional skills.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Dan Thurmon
Sunday, Aug. 24
8:30 – 10 a.m.
Topic: Perform-ability: How to Be Your Best When It Matters Most
Dan Thurmon is the author of two books, a renowned speaker, and a recognized expert in delivering peak performances. His company, Motivation Works, helps organizations and individuals implement action plans and move confidently through transitions.
He began his performance career at 11 years old, crafting a one-man-show incorporating comedy, juggling and acrobatics. This enabled him to, at a very early age, develop a strong work ethic and learn fundamental lessons about performance excellence.
Thurmon’s philosophy can be summarized by the title of his recent book, Off Balance On Purpose. He believes that we will never achieve “perfect balance” and should learn to embrace uncertainty and initiate positive changes that lead to growth as well as go beyond the pursuit of “success” and enhance our life experiences and professional endeavors with purposeful, positive contributions.
In his keynote on Sunday morning, Thurmon explains why some individuals are excellent in practice yet fail under pressure and why others seem to naturally rise to handle critical moments with ease and excellence. He helps us understand the key to being able to perform when it matters most, and to understand the mindset and methods of top performers.
Plenary Session Speaker: Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell
Monday, Aug. 25
9 – 10 a.m.
Topic: Can America Stay On Top? The Challenge to American Competitiveness
After 34 years of public service, Gov. Ed Rendell continues to pursue many of the same issues he was passionate about while serving. His commitment to making America a cleaner, more efficient place and to fostering investment in our nation`s crumbling infrastructure is as strong as ever. Rendell has become a champion for progress in the area of alternative energy, and now serves as a consultant or board member for several green and alternative energy firms, including Own Energy, Element Partners and Ocean Thermal Energy.
He has also remained heavily involved in the campaign for government efficiency and strategic cost cutting through his work with entities such as Government Sourcing Solutions, Public Financial Management and Greenhill Advisors.
Perhaps no other issue has been and continues to be as important to him as America`s dire need to rebuild and reinvest in its infrastructure. As governor, Rendell worked with Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to create an organization called “Building America`s Future.”
The organization focuses on the need for a more significant investment in American infrastructure projects to ensure that America maintains its place as a global economic power. Gov. Rendell currently serves as Co-Chair of the organization and travels throughout the country speaking about this issue.
Rendell served two terms as governor of Pennsylvania (2003-2011). During this time he successfully cut wasteful spending and improved efficiency leading to savings of more than $1 billion. In addition, while serving as mayor of Philadelphia
(1992-2000), Rendell eliminated a crippling deficit, balanced the city`s budget, and generated five consecutive budget surpluses. Philadelphia`s renaissance, which The New York Times called “the most stunning turnaround in recent urban history,” is largely attributed to his determination, inspiration, and energy.
PLEANRY SESSION SPEAKERS
Wednesday, Aug. 27
8:30 – 9:45 a.m.
Wednesday morning features three short presentations by three speakers. Deep-dive sessions immediately follow each of these presentations.
Frank Bucaro
Topic: Taking the High Road: How to Succeed Ethically When Others Bend the Rules
Frank Bucaro is an ethics expert who is a leading advocate – speaking, training and writing – on the benefits of ethics and values. His career path, from the classroom to the boardroom, began when a succession of high profile media reports on ethics problems captured his attention.
While still a teacher, he became increasingly aware that problems relating to unethical practices in the marketplace seemed to be increasing. Believing ethics and values have the power to contribute to business success rather than impede it, Bucaro left teaching and began offering keynotes and seminars on ethics and values-based leadership. Bucaro teaches us how to foster an environment where ethical behavior is valued, considered the norm, and ethical decisions help to contribute to long-term success.
His program features easy-to-understand definitions of ethics, guidelines for tackling difficult decisions, practical examples and a generous amount of humor.
Jeff Havens
Topic: Uncrapify Your Life!
A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Vanderbilt University, Jeff Havens began his career as a high school English teacher before following his father Rex Havens into the world of stand-up comedy, where he worked with some of the brightest lights in American comedy and honed the art of engaging audiences through laughter. But his impulse to teach never faded, and soon he began looking for an avenue to combine both of his passions into entertaining and meaningful presentations.
Original, informative, hilarious and powerful, Havens’ speeches have transformed the way business people approach the idea of personal and professional growth. You’ll laugh harder than you thought possible at a conference keynote before he brings it all home with a poignant and powerful discussion.
He will reveal how small changes in our communication strategies are often the most important (and least expensive) way to strengthen relationships, increase loyalty, and create an unbreakable culture of teamwork and mutual respect.
Andrea Mitnick
Topic: Hey Dude! Understanding Generational Differences in the Workplace
Dr. Andrea Mitnick is an experienced trainer in platform presentation skills, interpersonal communication skills, team skills, leadership development and gender communication. She is an associate professor at Kutztown
University of Pennsylvania teaching presentation skills, public relations techniques and crisis communication as well as leadership communication. Previously an assistant professor of communication at Penn State University, she won the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award in 1995.
She received her Ph.D. in rhetoric and communication from Temple University, and her research on a wide range of topics has been published in both journals and textbooks. Recent writings are about generational differences in the construction trades. She has presented more than 21 juried papers at national and international conferences since arriving at Kutztown University in 1995.
Mitnick’s session focuses on understanding that today there are four distinct generations represented in almost any workforce: The Matures (born prior to 1946), The Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964), Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980) and the infamous
Millennials (born between 1981 and 1999). The fact is that each of these generations has been shaped by forces such as technology, economic realities and historical events.
Closing Speaker
Wednesday, Aug. 27
Connie Podesta
Topic: Absolute Fearless Success
2:45 – 4 p.m.
Connie Podesta is a game-changing, money-making, sales-generating idea innovator whose rare blend of laugh-out-loud humor, out-ofthe- box strategies and signature, tell-it-like-it-is delivery style have made her one of the most-talkedabout entertaining business motivational speakers in the marketplace today. A whirlwind of energy and ideas, Podesta will definitely help you get what you want out of life.
She is an expert in helping people close the gap between where they are now and where they want and need to be to truly succeed and achieve outstanding results – at home and at work. Get ready to explore every aspect of what makes people do what they do and say what they say. The power of your own thoughts, beliefs and perceptions are game-changers and will alter the direction of your future. Podesta is fearless in helping people find the power and determination to achieve more than they ever thought possible.
She empowers audiences to develop the fearless attitudes necessary to embrace new ways of thinking, leading, selling, balancing home/career, nurturing relationships, raising families, motivating employees, providing customer service, creating productive teams and, last but not least, living life the way it was meant to be lived.