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Cooperative purchasing is on the front burner
The NIGP 2015 Forum, Aug. 1-5 in Kansas City, Mo., has several cooperative purchasing events on tap. A facilitated discussion, “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Coops! 2015 Edition,” will take place Tuesday, Aug. 4. First offered at the 2012 NIGP Forum, the 2015 version of this discussion explores cooperative practices from the practitioner, supplier and cooperative program perspectives. How have cooperative practices changed? How has practitioner understanding and use of cooperative programs changed? These and other topics will be discussed in this one-hour event.
“The key to this session will be the audience’s participation,” says Bill Wolpin (photo below), who is Editorial Director of Penton’s Government Suite and moderator for the event. “The panelists in the 2012 session spent most of their time answering the audiences’ questions, and I expect the same to happen this year.” 
The panelists include Wayne Casper, National, IPA; Ken Koeste, Unified Purchasing Cooperative of the Ohio River Valley; Chris Robb, U.S. Communities; Duff Erholtz, NJPA; Crosby Grindle, NPPGov; Douglas Richins, NASPO Value Point; Ted Lucas, Sound Transit; and Brent Maas, NIGP.
On Sunday, Aug. 2, the NIGP Legislative and Position Committee discusses the six NIGP position papers recently published on topics ranging from “Cooperative Purchasing” to “Best Value” to “Negotiation” to “Procurement Authority.”
At the session, attendees also can suggest ways to enhance the value of the papers and improve them. The NIGP Legislative and Position Committee is responsible for recommending positions to be taken by NIGP on key issues surrounding professional practices or legislation.
The NIGP position paper on coops, “Cooperative Procurement-Great Value (Great Confusion),” discusses trends, the four kinds of coop models, and advantages and limitations of cooperative procurement. Evaluating coop programs, options and contracts is also covered in the paper as well as the legal basis of cooperative procurement.
UPCOMING COOPERATIVE PURCHASING EVENT
The city of El Paso, Texas, 2015 Cooperative Purchasing Expo will consist of two portions. The city’s Purchasing & Strategic Sourcing Dept. is presenting the session. The event takes place Sept. 2, 2015 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
8:00 a.m.-noon
The first portion will cover all information pertaining to “How to join a cooperative program.”
Noon-5:00 p.m.
The second portion will be a vendor exposition where vendors and cooperative staff will be available for questions.
Two meals are included with every table purchased.
Government agencies register for free. Vendor registration is $100.
Location: El Paso Convention Center
Click here for more information.
Michael Keating is Senior Editor at Government Product News, an American City & County sister brand.
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