WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 11TH (6 credit hours)
7:30 am - 7:55 am Registration & Continental Breakfast
7:55 am - 8:00 am Welcome and Opening Remarks
Trudi Peepgrass, President RMGPA
8:00 am - 9:00 am What do they want? How to give your customers what they REALLY, REALLY want presented by Amazon (Credit Hours = 1)
Danielle Hinz & Mark Hampton, Amazon
Procurement leaders are constantly faced with meeting their customers' demands but can struggle to figure out exactly what they need—and what to do about it. This often leads to procuring solutions that do not meet customer needs. At Amazon, we have the same challenge and use a "Working Backwards" approach to determine what problem or opportunity the customer really has and to define a solution to address that. In this hands-on session, attendees will be guided through the "Working Backwards" methodology to identify a solution to a real-world procurement challenge they might face.
UPPCC Body of Knowledge:
Domain V. Leadership - A. *NEW* Advocate and demonstrate the value of public procurement, B. Demonstrate professional values and ethics (e.g., accountability, impartiality), E. Determine and leverage outreach methods for internal and external stakeholders, I. *NEW* Recognize the impact of socio-political factors on procurement, Domain III. Sourcing and Solicitation - F. Determine sources of services and/or supplies, U. *NEW* Recognize challenges unique to regional, national, and international procurements (e.g., trade agreements, customs, tariffs, documentation), Domain II. Procurement Planning and Analysis - E. Assess and utilize external procurement information resources (e.g., professional network, periodicals, associations), H. Interpret the application of procurement trends (e.g., job order contracting, unavailable commodity), L. Conduct market analysis (e.g., forecasting, historical, economic conditions)
9:00am - 9:15 am Morning Break
9:15 am - 10:15 am Workforce, Technology, and the New Economy in Public Procurement (Credit Hours = 1)
Dr. Jake Smithwick, Director of Education with the Center for Procurement Excellence
Procurement leaders face the evolving challenges of shifting economic conditions and talent scarcity. This keynote explores the future trends in economics and workforce, emphasizing the need to reskill and upskill teams through technology adoption. We will discuss the critical role of leadership in crafting proactive strategies that ensure organizational success amidst change. Join us to discover how to prepare your procurement team for the season of change and navigate the new economic landscape with confidence.
UPPCC Body of Knowledge:
Domain V. Leadership - B. Demonstrate professional values and ethics (e.g., accountability, impartiality), D. *NEW* Prepare and deliver information for a target audience (e.g., business cases, presentations, F. *NEW* Create a plan for professional development and continuing education, G. Provide cross training and mentorship for procurement department personnel, I. *NEW* Recognize the impact of socio-political factors on procurement, J. *NEW* Identify conflicts and challenges and employ strategies for resolution, Domain I. Legal Framework - B. Identify professional and legislative trends and laws, H. *NEW* Demonstrate compliance with confidential or proprietary restrictions (e.g., communications, public records requests)
10:15am - 10:30 am Morning Break
10:30 am - 11:30 pm Building a Case for Change - Modernizing Public Procurement Presented by Sovra (Credit Hours = 1)
Kim Cullen, Director of Advocacy, SOVRA
Discover how leveraging a public procurement maturity model can bring much-needed clarity and structure to your modernization efforts. During this session, we will provide a comprehensive overview of each stage and offer practical strategies for progression. Participants will learn how to evaluate their current stage of maturity, understand the challenges and opportunities at each level, and gain actionable insights to advance their procurement processes toward a more efficient and strategic model.
UPPCC Body of Knowledge: Domain II. Procurement Planning and Analysis, I. Recognize and apply risk mitigation strategies (e.g., terms and conditions, bonding, insurance) - C. Conduct a spend analysis and recommend a purchasing strategy, Domain V. Leadership - J. *NEW* Identify conflicts and challenges and employ strategies for resolution, Domain VI. Business Principles - I. *NEW* Utilize established procurement strategies and objectives
11:30 pm - 12:30 pm Lunch
Swearing in of the 2025 RMGPA Officers – Danielle Hinz, RMGPA Past President
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Effective Marketing and Crafting High-Performing Statements of Work (Credit Hours = 1.0)
Dr. Jake Smithwick, Director of Education with the Center for Procurement Excellence
Developing a clear Statement of Work (SOW) can be challenging. Some SOWs are vague and lack critical details; others have requirements that are overly prescriptive or limit the ability for suppliers to bring innovative ideas. The core elements of a High-Performing SOW will also be shared along with tangible examples from a variety of projects (e.g., IT/Software, Design/Construction, Facilities & Operations, Business and Professional Services, and more.)
UPPCC Body of Knowledge:
Domain III. Sourcing and Solicitation - E. Develop specifications and/or scope of work for solicitations, F. Determine sources of services and/or supplies,
K. Differentiate and select terms and conditions for sourcing and contract documents, O. Construct solicitation documents
1:30 pm - 1:45 pm Afternoon Break
1:45 pm - 2:45 pm Supplier Diversity Program (Credit Hours = 1)
David Musgrave, Equity Manager of Supplier Diversity of the Colorado Statewide Equity Office
Jovan Harrison, Equity Specialist, Colorado Statewide Equity Office
This introductory-level supplier diversity training will explore the importance of supplier diversity and the important role that inclusion of small and diverse businesses helps our communities.
UPPCC Body of Knowledge
Domain I. Legal Framework - F. Recognize and apply requirements of supplier diversity programs, Domain V. Leadership: I. *NEW* Recognize the impact of socio-political factors on procurement
2:45 pm - 3:00 pm Afternoon Break
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Closing Plenary – Dr. Kevin Daley (Credit Hours = 1)
Revolutionize Your Team's Mindset for Unparalleled Leadership and Organizational Growth
UPPCC Body of Knowledge:
Domain V. Leadership - B. Demonstrate professional values and ethics (e.g., accountability, impartiality), D. *NEW* Prepare and deliver information for a target audience (e.g., business cases, presentations, reports), J. *NEW* Identify conflicts and challenges and employ strategies for resolution
4:00 pm Closing Remarks - Adjourn
Trudi Peepgrass, President RMGPA