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MPPOA 2025 ANNUAL FALL CONFERENCE

MPPOA 2025 Annual Fall Conference

Professional Development Presentations

At this year's conference we are providing you with the following professional development opportunities, totaling 8 contact hours, that you can use to meet continuing education and certification requirements.

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Keynote Presented by: Ashley King - Teams Rising, CEO

"Lead Boldly: Communicate with Purpose and Presence" Learn how to lead from your core, communicate with authenticity, and craft messages that resonate—whether you're presenting to elected officials, engaging stakeholders, managing vendors, or guiding teams. This keynote/workshop offers practical strategies to strengthen your leadership presence, enhance everyday communication, and elevate professional success while aligning with personal well-being.

Welcome Video from Ashley- YouTube

Presented by: Rick Grimm, NIGP-CPP - NIGP, Chief Executive Officer



"Updating our Playbook for a Winning Future" The mission for public procurement officials – as stewards of public dollars and protectors of the public trust - has endured throughout the generations. However, the playbook we use to achieve our mission has undergone several revisions over the last 20 years – and those changes accelerated with the pandemic. Let’s consider how supply chain shortages, purchasing cooperatives, supplier relationships, talent recruitment and retention, and technology have impacted our public procurement playbook and compels us to adapt to the changes around us.  

Presented by: Robert Miller, PSP, CSI, CDT - Imperial Professional Consulting, President

"Protective Design Concepts and Standards: Navigating Product Solutions" This session will review the most current concepts and standards used in the protective design marketplace with a focus upon Fences, Gates, Bollards, and Barriers. We use these standards to best determine product choice in our fast-changing world, where navigating new challenges and staying informed has never been more critical to ensuring a safe and secure environment.

Presented by: Bill Davison, NIGP- CPP, CPPO - NIGP Consulting, Procurement Consultant and at Norwich University, Adjunct Professor



"Specifications and Scope Writing" This presentation will discuss how to identify typical contract administration problems and then develop specifications and Scopes of Work that will mitigate the identified risks.

"Purchasing Software and Administrating Software Contracts" This presentation will discuss procurement strategies for software purchases. Strategies for getting a seat at the project team's table, developing a SOW, evaluation criteria, and project management after contract award will be discussed. Actual software projects will be used as examples. If your agency is in the process of undertaking a software project this presentation will benefit procurement and IT staff.

Presented by: Michelle Palmer, NIGP-CPP, PMP, CPPB, CSMP - City of Owen Sound, Senior Manager of Strategic Initiatives and Operational Effectiveness, Member of Ontario Public Buyers Association (OPBA) and Kim Cullen Prather - Southern Computer Warehouse (SCW), Director of Government Relations



"Breaking Through Imposter Syndrome in Public Procurement" Impostor syndrome can be a significant barrier to professional growth and confidence, especially in high-stakes fields like public procurement. This session will explore how procurement professionals can overcome feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and fear of being "found out," despite their accomplishments. Participants will learn how to identify the signs of impostor syndrome, understand its impact on career progression, and reframe their mindset to build confidence and embrace their expertise.

This year's Conference is Sponsored by...