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May 28, 2025
Even though I have been in public procurement for over 20 years, I only recently started attending NIGP Forum. Because of my current role as Manager for San Mateo County, I was able to attend the first Leadership Summit in Anaheim, California in 2021—also called “Forum Light” since we didn’t have an in-person NIGP Forum that year due to the Pandemic. I had no idea what I was about to walk into or how much it would impact my life and my career going forward.
A Core Memory
Even though I had been in procurement for over two decades at that point, attending that event was the first time I encountered procurement professionals from other organizations. My previous organizations were very siloed, so we only worked with our internal teams. I had never met anybody outside of my team who did procurement, and we never had any outside trainers. We never even went to CAPPO, the California Association of Public Procurement Officers, who host California based procurement conferences.
Before attending that year, I knew nothing about the wider procurement community. Needless to say I was blown away. I couldn’t believe there were other procurement geeks out there who loved procurement as much as I did and who could talk all the way down into the weeds and understand the nuances of the work we do. It’s such a wonderful and generous community that we are in. As my daughter would say, that first experience was a “core memory.”
The Many Benefits of NIGP Forum
I remember being greeted by a massive group of procurement people—more than I’d ever seen in my life. It was exciting to hear all the information that was shared and the different pathways all my peers had taken in their careers. I love networking, so I could connect instantly with people from all over, including some people I had previously met online in training. Since then, we’ve met at different events, most recently at the NIGP Leadership Summit in Chicago.
From our friendship, we have started a different network stemming from NIGP. Just a few weeks ago, I started a meeting for executive-level procurement people to discuss implementing changes within our organization. We felt like meeting a few times a year at NIGP events just wasn’t enough for us to really get into the conversations we need to have on this topic. So, we have a small group who are all undergoing change of some sort in our organizations who get together to support each other through that. This group has already been impactful, and it would have never come together without NIGP and Forum.
Another surprising benefit of attending NIGP Forum is that I have seen more of America than I had before. I immigrated to the US from Australia 25 years ago, so when I travel, it’s usually outside the country. Forum has helped me see other parts of America that I may not have chosen to go to myself. Every city has been so wonderful and such a snapshot of a different part of America. For instance, Louisville, Kentucky blew me away, and I can understand why it’s such a well-loved city that people are moving to.
Advice for First Timers
If you’re going to NIGP Forum for the first time or trying to convince your boss that you need to go, here’s my advice.
Justify the Growth You’ll Get
The growth of your procurement mindset that comes from the procurement community you’ll meet at NIGP Forum is exponential. I grew so much in just one Forum, and I know I grow more after every NIGP event I attend.
Focus on Having a Few Great Conversations
I try to walk away with three great conversations. I know that if I can do that, it will have been worth the pain of travel, from navigating time zone changes to all the logistics. I always end up with more than three conversations, plus all the great presentations, to make my efforts more than worthwhile.
It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint
NIGP Forum has a very physical component, so take it in bite-sized pieces. It’s OK if you need to step away from the crowds to regain your mental stability and then get back into it. Forum is physically and mentally taxing, but you want to make it to the end. If you can, avoid booking a flight that will cause you to miss the last presenter because the closing presenter is always just as significant as the opening one.
I am so excited for this year’s Forum. Whether you are attending for the first or fifteenth time, I would love to meet you and hear your story!
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My Forum Story - Valerie Scott
Valerie Scott
