Public Purchasers Prepare to Share the Magic
Public Purchasers Prepare to Share the Magic
A parade of purchasing professionals may soon be whistling while they work, as they march into Orlando, FL. Their destination will be Coronado Springs Resort, located in the heart of the Disney World mega complex and site of the National Purchasing Institute’s 37th Annual Conference and Products Exposition. The event will be held on November 13 to 16, 2005, with plenty of educational and networking opportunities offered each day.
By attending the annual convention, NPI members can share work experiences with other purchasing and supply-management colleagues from across
the United States. Conference speakers will include visionaries, pioneers, and mavericks who offer insights into procurement successes.
NPI members represent a full range of public entities and nonprofit institutions—from federal, state, and local government agencies to air-port purchasing groups, universities, and public utilities. While serving in positions such as directors, procurement managers, purchasing agents, or buyers, these individuals make decisions to buy millions of dollars in products and services each year.
To help purchasers make informed buying decisions, the NPI convention will showcase the newest trends, tactics, and technology that can enhance procurement efficiency and cut costs. Just as NPI delegates will gain opportunities to unlock a treasure chest of knowledge from colleagues and industry experts, the hotel itself sports an adventurous theme.
Coronado Springs Resort was named after Don Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, a 16th century Spanish explorer who set sail to America in search of gold. Members of his group became the first Europeans to reach the Grand Canyon, one of the magnificent wonders of the world. Today, the resort hotel combines the beauty, fantasy, and unique cultural elements of colonial Spain, Mexico, and New Mexico. Hotel sites include a 15-acre lagoon, spring-fed Fountain of the Doves, and a five-story Mayan pyramid that serves as a splashy centerpiece for one of the many swimming pools on the grounds.
Featured Attractions
NPI’s conference agenda includes a full slate of educational offerings, divided into general sessions, management tracks, and purchasing tracks. General sessions will address topics ranging from negotiation skills to teambuilding in the procurement arena. Within the management track, attendees can select from sessions that cover contract management, benchmarking, media communications, and other topics designed to help purchasing managers achieve organizational success.
Sessions within the purchasing track will explore subjects such as e-sourcing solutions, homeland security grants, performance-based contracting, software licensing, and procurement ethics.
To applaud purchasing strides and dedication, the show will present NPI’s Achievement of Excellence in Procurement (AEP) awards, during a ceremony on Monday, November 14. The awards are given annually to individuals, groups, or teams who receive high marks for standardized criteria established by the NPI. These criteria measure attributes such as innovation, professionalism, productivity, e-procurement, and leadership skills. Immediately following the awards ceremony, the products exposition will opens its doors to delegates, from noon to 5 p.m. on Monday, November 14. Attendees can browse through the exhibit hall for a first-hand look at the latest products, technologies, and services that can add value to the procurement process. No conference sessions are scheduled during exhibit hours, thereby allowing ample time for delegates to interact with exhibitors.
Many social festivities are likewise offered, ranging from welcoming receptions on Sunday, November 13, to a President’s Banquet and Reception on Tuesday evening, November 15.
For additional information about the show, visit www.govinfo.bz/5196-101.
About NPI
Founded in 1968, the National Purchasing Institute (NPI) focuses on developing efficient purchasing methods and practices in the areas of governmental, educational, and institutional procurement. The organization fosters coopera-tive relationships among its members, who are located throughout the United States.
In 1990, the NPI became affiliated with the National Association of Purchasing Management (NAPM), now the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). The ISM is a nonprofit association of more than 48,000 public- and private-sector purchasing and supply-management pro-fessionals. By partnering with ISM, the NPI gained access to an expanded network of procurement resources.
Membership in NPI is available to individuals involved in purchasing for government entities, school districts, and other public and nonprofit institutions in the United States. By logging on to NPI’s Web site, members can tap into a Best Practices Library, sample specifications, online seminars, and other procurement tools. A high point of NPI events is the organization’s annual conference and products exposition.
NPI headquarters are located in Aliso Viejo, CA. For additional information about NPI membership or programs, visit www.govinfo.bz/5196-101.
