How NIGP and Forum Helped Me Advance in My Career and Achieve My Goals

The first time I went to Forum, I knew instantly this was something special. The energy was electric when I walked into the event, and the people were the friendliest, most encouraging people I could have ever hoped to encounter. 

It was 2006. Forum was taking place in Tampa, Florida, which was just 90 miles from Orange County, where I’ve always worked. Luck was on my side, because I ended up winning a free hotel to the next year’s Forum, taking place in Hartford, CT. That was the beginning of my long relationship with NIGP and Forum. 

The Value of Forum 

I’m incredibly grateful to say I haven’t missed a Forum since 2006, and I hope I never miss one. This event is incredibly valuable for so many reasons. To start with, the programming is top-notch. NIGP genuinely finds speakers with the experience and knowledge we procurement professionals need to elevate our agencies. Most of them stick around for the duration of the conference, so you can chat with them during social events and pick their brains on the problems you’re facing. The span of topics ensures there’s always something interesting and relevant for you, and they change every year to reflect the real-time challenges and situations procurement professionals face.  

Next, the networking opportunities can’t be beaten. There’s no other place where you can mingle and meet with procurement professionals at all levels from across North America. Even though there might be 1600 people attending, it feels very much like a tight-knit community. In all the years I’ve been attending Forum, I’ve never found anyone to be unapproachable or unwilling to have a one-on-one conversation with me to talk about their experiences in procurement. Many of those connections extend beyond the event, whether through hosting a chapter event, chairing a committee, or just becoming friends. 

As NIGP Governing Board Chair, I can attend many other conferences. They all serve a purpose and have benefits, but none of them compare to the enrichment I find at Forum. It truly is the premier conference for procurement professionals, which is why I am committed to attending every year, even if it means investing in it with my personal funds. 

My Journey Through NIGP Leadership 

My journey to my current position as Chair of the NIGP Governing Board started over a decade ago. Early on, I knew I wanted to hold a leadership position with NIGP. In 2012, I shared that aspiration with influential people, including NIGP CEO Rick Grimm. Speaking it out loud was a little intimidating, but once I said it, I knew I had to do whatever it took to achieve it. 

Of course, I knew I wouldn’t go from being new to NIGP to the Governing Board Chair. I took advice from mentors and actively sought volunteer opportunities, starting at the local level. From there, I served as an inaugural member of the NIGP Talent Council. After serving six years there, I was given an ex-officer chair on the governing board. From there, I was elected Chair of the Governing Board in 2022. It’s a two-year position, so I will roll off the board this summer. I am looking forward to whatever next opportunity comes along! 

How NIGP Helped Me Become a Leader 

There are many ways to volunteer with NIGP, which can help you develop your leadership skills. I credit the years I have spent volunteering with NIGP in helping me become an effective leader. I’ve been able to collaborate with colleagues (sometimes in other states), speak in public, and put ideas into action to serve the greater NIGP community.  

I’m fortunate to be in a position now where I can help emerging procurement leaders the way people helped me achieve my goals. If you want to step into a leadership role, the best thing you can do is get involved and get to know other NIGP members. We are genuinely all in this together, and we need to lift each other up so we can all succeed in public procurement. 

Advice for First-Timers 

I know walking into a room full of 1,600 strangers might feel scary, but I promise, we’re a friendly bunch! Here’s my advice for first-time Forum attendees. 

1. Attend all first-timer opportunities: Forum offers numerous opportunities for first-timers to gather. Make sure to check the schedule so you know when those are taking place, and don’t miss them! These are excellent for meeting other new attendees and getting more familiar with the event itself.  
    
2. Plan your schedule: NIGP will release the Forum schedule well in advance. Take your time reading through it and deciding what you’ll attend before you show up. Otherwise, you’ll end up feeling overwhelmed and might miss an important session. (But if that happens, don’t panic – you can rewatch sessions you missed after the event.) 
    
3. Download the app: The Forum app will keep you organized. It’s also an excellent tool for collecting new contact information so you can reach out to everyone you meet when you return home. 

I can’t wait for Forum 2024! If you’ll be attending, I look forward to meeting you and hearing all about the amazing things you have been doing in public procurement. Feel free to find me and introduce yourself. I’d love to help you get the most out of Forum.