Procurement Excellence Showcase

The NIGP Procurement Excellence Showcase will be held in the Expo Hall on Monday, July 28, from 1:30 – 5:00 PM and Tuesday July 29 from 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM.  If you are having your poster printed by NIGP it will be set up for you prior to the Expo hall opening.  If you are bringing your own, please bring to the NIGP registration desk and give to Merveille Basue by Monday the 28^th at noon.  We ask that you have someone at your poster during the hours of the expo.   

Procurement professionals, groups, and/or chapters (up to 3 members) can submit abstracts of procurement case studies, research, success stories, programs/benefits or innovations/processes. Applicants must be current or retired public procurement professionals; submissions for products or services will not be considered.

Accepted presenters display a summary of their work, either by printing a large poster to display on boards, or by printing multiple sheets to display. They deliver a brief 1 – 3-minute overview of their research, case study, program or innovative process as attendees browse displays. Presenters, or a member of the group, remain at their assigned space to engage with participants, answer questions, and discuss their work. Please note, chairs and tables will not be available. If you require special accommodations, please indicate on your submission, or contact forumspecialneeds@nigp.org.

Applications will be open from March 24 to June 13, 2025, with acceptance granted on a first-come first-serve basis. Applicants will receive notification within 1–3 business days. To apply, presenters must submit an abstract here. Note: a maximum of 30 posters can be accepted, the application will close when the maximum has been reached. 

• Select your topic: Choose a focused aspect of your project for presentation. Avoid trying to cover everything; instead, opt for a single case study, process, success, program, or innovation that tells a concise and engaging story. 

• Craft your abstract title: Create a compelling title for your abstract. This title will be featured in an abstract directory, helping conference attendees locate your presentation during the NIGP Procurement Excellence Showcase. A catchy title and well-written abstract will generate interest in your work and attract conference-goers to your showcase table. 

• Write your abstract: Begin with a brief explanation of the purpose and rationale of your work. Then, summarize your methodology, main results, and conclusions. Finally, briefly discuss the implications, outcomes, and relevance of your findings. Limit your abstract to 500 words or less, focusing on summarizing the key objectives of your printed presentation. 

• Presenter Board Size: 48” x 48” 

• Recommended Poster (presentation materials) Size:  42” x 36”, no larger than 46” x 46” 

Important: Please make sure your printed poster/presentation materials are slightly smaller than the confirmed board size, so that they fit in the space. Below are some example poster session spaces for your reference. 

• The name of your agency or chapter should be clearly identified on the poster

• Text should be large enough to be viewed from several feet away. 

• Ensure a well-organized layout, with clear sections summarizing background, methodology, results, and implications. 

• Use bullet points and key highlights to convey messages succinctly. 

• Emphasize visuals over text, using minimal text for better readability. flow charts and diagrams should be simple. 

• More complicated concepts and details should be included in your short presentation overview and interactions with attendees. 

Important: Ensure the material contained in the presentation will not violate or infringe upon the proprietary or statutory rights of any person or entity, including but not limited to copyright, trademark, patent, or intellectual property rights. 

There are many options for creating your poster. Below are some examples. 

PowerPoint 

• Open PowerPoint and create a blank presentation.  

• Click Design on the menu. 

• Click Slide Size, click Custom Slide Size, and enter your poster dimensions. 42” by 36” is recommended. 

•  Add lines, shapes, graphics, text, and images to design your poster. 

• Save the poster as a PDF. 

Canva 

• Log in to your Canva account. 

• Click Create a design in the top right corner. 

• Select Posters in the search bar and choose a poster that suits your needs 

• Click the Custom size button and input your desired dimensions. 42” by 36” is recommended. 

• Add lines, shapes, graphics, text, and images to design your poster. 

• Click File, then download to save the file as a PDF. 

Other recommended applications include Adobe InDesign and Adobe Illustrator. 

A conference poster supplier is available to print posters at your cost of:

• $209 – 42” wide x 36” high
• $221 – 40" wide x 40” high
• $292 – 46" wide x 46” high

*Please note, printing information will be provided to presenters after abstract submissions are accepted into the showcase.

Alternatively, you can print your own poster (at your cost) and deliver it to the Forum registration desk by Monday the 28 at Noon.  Multiple sheets of paper can be printed and pinned on the poster board.

NIGP will supply pushpins to put up your display. 

If you would like to take your poster with you, please remove from the expo hall by 1pm on Tuesday 29.  All leftover posters will be taken back to the Forum registration desk and can be picked up no later than Wednesday 30 by 1PM.