My Forum Story - Michelle Palmer

If you are on the fence about attending NIGP Forum, just go! Whether you go in person or virtually, you will get a lot out of it and make some friends along the way.  

I first attended NIGP Forum in 2010, a few years after transitioning from private to public procurement. I was a member of my local Ontario NIGP chapter, and my boss at the time encouraged me to attend Forum to get more involved with NIGP and meet people from across the US and Canada.  

First Impressions 

I was in awe the first time I attended. It was such a great event that radiated positive energy. I knew immediately that I wanted to be a part of this. There were a lot of people, and they were all so friendly and ready to help with anything you needed. Of course, I also enjoyed the educational aspect. Continuous learning is one of my personal values, and it was nice to pick and choose to attend the sessions that were most relevant to me. As I’ve grown in my career, I find that I participate in different types of sessions, so I’m never learning the same thing twice. 

The social aspect of Forum is one of the best parts of attending. I love staying connected with the friends I have made through social media and attending other NIGP events. It’s really nice to walk into Forum every year feeling a sense of familiarity and belonging. And, of course, it’s always great to meet new people! 

Virtual vs. In-Person 

When I first started attending Forum, there was only an in-person option. Now, there are options to attend in person or virtually. I took the virtual approach last year, in 2023 and it was incredible. I loved learning from great minds in procurement and attending the sessions as if I were physically there. I learned a lot and had many excellent takeaways that I was able to bring to my organization.  

Of course, the social aspect of Forum is one of the highlights. So, I did miss not being able to see my friends or meet new people in the same way. If you are the type of person who loves to socialize, you may prefer the in-person experience over the virtual format. However, if you are unable to attend for any reason, then it’s well worth the virtual ticket to get access to exceptional educational content. It’s excellent value for the education sessions, and you get access to all the sessions for 30 days afterward, so you can rewatch them or see the sessions you could not attend.  

This year I plan to attend Forum in person again. However, if there was a reason I could not attend in person, I would definitely take the virtual option instead of missing out altogether. I will be attending Forum as a chapter ambassador for the first time, and I can’t wait to meet people from other chapters to find out what they are doing and how I can help them with their challenges. 

Advice for First-Timers 

Going to NIGP Forum for the first time can be intimidating, but don’t worry—everyone is there to meet new people and talk about all things procurement! Here are a few ways to get the most out of the event.  

1. Don’t sit with the same people: I might start by sitting with people I know, but as I move to a new panel or networking event, I sit with a new group. This is an excellent way to branch out and get to know people from outside your circle. 
    
2. Attend all the plenary sessions: Ideally, attend every session, but sometimes you need to take a break or get caught up in a good conversation with someone and miss a session. Whatever you do, make sure to attend all the plenary sessions at least, as these are incredibly valuable. They can also be a lot of fun! 
    
3. Find me: If you don’t know anybody, find me and say hello! I can show you around and introduce you to some great NIGP members. As a chapter ambassador, I’ll be attending the first-timers event, which is a great opportunity for you to get to know other people who are new to Forum.  

Whether you attend NIGP Forum virtually or in person, make the most of every session and every opportunity to meet and network with other procurement professionals. I hope to see you there!