North America’s government purchasing professionals will be gathering for the 64th annual Forum and Products Exposition hosted by the Herndon, Va.-based National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP). The event, which is being held at the America’s Center in St. Louis, Mo., begins on August 22 and continues through August 26. The theme for this year’s conference and exposition is Gateway to Excellence. The Products Exposition is open August 24 and 25, and features the NIGP Green Pavilion with suppliers and resources that support green excellence initiatives.

Welcome Reception

Saturday, August 22

The welcome reception features the presentation of the Albert H. Hall Award, NIGP’s highest honor, and entertainment by guitarist and humorist, Mike Rayburn.

Plenary Sessions

Zap the Gap

Meagan Johnson

Opening General Session Speaker

Sunday, August 23

In her session, Meagan Johnson discusses what it takes to maximize a multi-generational workforce. Based on original research, this program provides tools and techniques that make working with older and younger colleagues more productive and less frustrating.

Leading Green: Saving the Planet With Everyday Action

John Schuster

Monday, August 24

John Schuster explores the opportunities for companies, residents, communities and families to live in harmony with green principles. Prior to starting his business, he was the Director of Human Resources for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Kansas City, Chicago and Washington, D.C. He was named trainer of the year by the Kansas City chapter of the American Society of Training and Development. He is an executive coach and serves as a faculty member at the coaching certification program run by the Hudson Institute of Santa Barbara.

The Eight Slippery Steps to Unethical Behavior

Patrick Kuhse

Tuesday, August 25

Using his personal story to illustrate the eight critical thinking errors that undermine ethical integrity and legal practice, Patrick Kuhse provides insight into common ethical dilemmas faced in business today. Formerly a Wall Street stock broker, Patrick withheld important investor information from his clients. Later, as the investment advisor for Oklahoma’s multi-billion dollar investment portfolio, he illegally increased his commission. After being discovered, Kuhse spent four years in Costa Rica, avoiding the FBI and the federal government. Eventually, he turned himself in, and spent four years in prison. Today, he is an ethics fellow at the University of Florida and Suffolk University, and speaks to audiences about the importance of ethical behavior.

Last Man Down

Chief Richard Picciotto

Closing General Session Speaker

Wednesday, August 26

Richard Picciotto was a Fire Department of New York Battalion Commander in Manhattan on September 11, 2001. After going inside the World Trade Center North Tower to rescue survivors, he became trapped after its collapse. Buried for more than four hours, he emerged virtually unscathed and was the highest-ranking firefighter to survive the collapse. In a presentation modeled after his book, Last Man Down, Picciotto offers a tribute to the lives that were lost and offers an eyewitness account of a defining historical event.

Pre-Forum Seminars

Registration for pre-Forum events is independent of Forum registration. Register at www.nigp.org/preforum.

CPPO Prep*

Thursday, August 20 – Friday, August 21

Instructor: Mary Jane Lopez, CPPO

CPPB Prep*

Thursday, August 20 – Friday, August 21

Instructor: William E. Hertwig, Jr., CPPO, CPPB, C.P.M., A.P.P.

Contracting for Construction Services

Friday, August 21 – Saturday, August 22

Instructor: Edward Pabor, CPPO, C.P.M.

Fundamentals of Leadership & Management

Friday, August 21 – Saturday, August 22

Instructor: Lynda Allair, CPPO Chapter Leadership

Symposium

Saturday, August 22

Instructors: Belinda Reutter, CMP, CAE, Director of Membership, NIGP Jennifer Steffan, Chapter Relations Manager, NIGP

*The certification prep courses are part of a larger array of preparation resources created by NIGP to support those seeking their CPPO or CPPB certification. Visit Cert Prep Central at www.nigp.org/certprep to access an online personal assessment tool, recommended preparation timeline and all of the text, courses and Webinars.

Workshops: Green

Going Green When It’s White

Gain insight on the facts that led to salt shortages, high prices and the need to reevaluate procurement methods, regional storage and joint purchasing options.

Sustainable Vehicle and Equipment Replacement

Learn about the Vehicle & Equipment Replacement Fund (VERF), an innovative program for making sustainable vehicle and heavy equipment purchases. The goal of the program is sufficient cash flow for annual purchases.

How to Measure Your Green Spend Using Ecolabel Calculators

Discover how to measure reduced environmental impact and to project financials, costs and savings.

Going Green While Saving Green

Learn how to write better specifications that include “green” requirements and what questions to ask suppliers to determine if their products are really green.

Making Blue Green: Transforming Green Ideals into Sustainable Practices

Hear how procurement departments are uniquely positioned to realize the environmental and financial benefits for sustainable procurement.

Planting the Seeds for a Green Code

Listen to a panel discussion on the research, creation and rollout of Green NIGP Codes.

Cutting Edge Socially Responsible Procurement

Hear how Portland is appeasing competing community requests and balancing best value for the taxpayer dollars.

Executive Leadership Series

The 2009 Executive Leadership Series (ELS) is a conference within a conference that features sessions devoted to help attendees move beyond the operation of procurement to the change required to innovate and advance procurement.

ELS sessions are led by John Schuster, CMC. Schuster is owner of The Schuster Kane Alliance, known for connecting soft people skills with hard business results. He helps professionals build the leadership and social capital in their organizations necessary to successfully execute strategies on behalf of customers and shareholders. His interests are executive teams that work, corporate cultures that execute strategy, and leaders that inspire and bring out the best in others.

ELS topics include Change, Surviving Change, Setting Goals, Personal Leadership Styles and Teams. Seating is limited. For more information, visit www.nigp.org/forum.

Registration Deadlines

May 15: Early bird registration ($50 discount)

May 1 through August 7: Standard fees apply.

After August 7: Late fees apply.

First timers receive additional discounts.

Register online at www.nigp.org/forum.

For a complete list of Forum workshops and events, visit www.nigp.org/forum. For more information on the Forum, please contact [email protected] or call LaWann Terry at 800-367-6447 x242.