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May 7, 2025
If I had to describe Forum in a word, it would be “awesome.”
After attending the Forum virtual experience for a few years, I was excited to finally experience it in person last year. As great as the virtual experience is, the in-person event was on another level. The value I gained from participating in this conference is immeasurable, and I'm excited to share my insights with you.
My Journey in Procurement
My path to procurement started in the public sector, where I served as a transactional attorney for the Chicago Park District. There, I drafted commercial contracts and served on bid evaluation committees, gaining valuable hands-on experience in the field. After a brief hiatus, I returned to procurement, this time as a small business owner, handling all the sourcing and procurement needs for my family's artisan food company.
After a few years, I returned to the public sector, joining the State of Illinois as a Deputy Chief Counsel. In this role, I advised the state's four chief procurement officers on a wide range of procurement matters. This experience gave me a deep understanding of the unique challenges and complexities that procurement professionals face.
Today, I serve as the General Counsel for the Chief Procurement Officer of the Capital Development Board and the Illinois Department of Transportation. We have state purchasing officers who work under the chief procurement officer. In my role, I serve as an adviser to the state purchasing officers and chief procurement officer on procurement issues and provide guidance during the procurement process. I also serve as the protest review officer.
While it’s not required for my position, I have earned the NIGP-CPP certification. NIGP is the gold standard in this area, and my team and I use its resources to help make procurement-related decisions.
The Energizing Power of NIGP Forum
I had some idea of what to expect from attending Forum in person after attending the virtual version previously, but nothing could have prepared me for the energy of the room when I attended in person.
What’s awesome about Forum is that you can network and connect with procurement professionals from all over the continent. That’s on top of listening and learning from excellent subject matter experts and speakers. It offers so much information to support procurement professionals.
For me, the networking aspect of attending Forum was the cream of the crop. I met people from all over the country and was able to connect with them in a meaningful way. Now, when issues present themselves, I have people I can call for advice and guidance. During Forum, we shared best practices, brainstormed solutions, and built a network of resources to tap into whenever we need support.
A highlight for me was being part of a panel discussion on the topic of procurement professionals dealing with elected officials. As someone who navigates this delicate balance on a regular basis, I was honored that NIGP asked me to share my insights and expertise.
The audience was engaged and eager to learn, and the discussion was both enlightening and thought-provoking. I was surprised at the high level of engagement from the audience, and I ended up having some great conversations with people in the audience who added their ideas and insights to the discussion.
Virtual vs. In Person Forum
As long as I can attend Forum in person, that will be my preference from now on. When you’re attending virtually, you don't get to go out and eat with these individuals and talk after hours. There's nothing like being able to sit in a session, talk to people about it, and then go grab a sandwich while you continue the conversation.
However, I know going to Forum in person is not always an option, so don’t skip it altogether if you can’t attend in person. Virtual Forum still has opportunities to network with other virtual attendees, and you get access to great speakers and educational sessions.
I'm excited to attend the NIGP Forum again this year, and I encourage all my fellow procurement professionals to do the same. There’s really something for everyone. The educational sessions will keep you up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices, while the networking opportunities will connect you with a community of your peers who can serve as invaluable resources when you get back home.
I can't wait to see what this year's Forum has in store. I am also looking forward to growing my network of procurement professionals who I can serve as resource for and who can serve as resources for me when the need arises.
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Katherine Tople
