Rocky Mountain Governmental Purchasing Association

2025 Spring Conference & Reverse Vendor Tradeshow

April 1 - 2, 2025

SPRING CONFERENCE AGENDA
*Please note: the agenda will be updated as sessions are confirmed
**Schedule subject to change

April 1 - 2, 2025

Day 1

7:30 am - 8:25 am                    Registration, Networking, & Continental Breakfast

8:00 am - 8:20 am                    Member Orientation Breakfast

The Board of Directors would like to welcome first timers, new members or members who need a refresher of RMGPA to attend the Breakfast.  Learn the benefits of RMGPA, resources available to members, how to utilize the website, meet other procurement professionals. 

8:25 am - 8:30 am                   Welcome, Opening Remarks

Doug Clapp, President RMGPA

RMGPA Board of Directors and Committees

8:30 am - 9:30 am                  Leading Through Life: My Journey to Leadership

Tim Meuer, Thrive Personology

Leadership is the most important skill we can develop, yet it remains one of the most undertrained and misunderstood skill sets. Authentic leadership should not be about authority or titles; it’s about perseverance, relationships, mindset, and trust.

Through my personal journey, from a troubled childhood to learning from the best leaders in business and sports, I want to challenge you to rethink leadership. It’s not about where you start but how you grow.

By the end of this keynote, you will:

• Understand how perseverance and relationships shape your leadership path
• Learn the power of Controlled Delusion, believing in yourself beyond logic
• Shift from traditional leadership to collaborative leadership that inspires action
• Discover why Trust of Intentions is the foundation of influence and connection

This isn’t a leadership lesson from a textbook.  This exemplifies how leadership can be built through struggle, failure, and resilience. I hope my story inspires you to lead with courage, clarity, and conviction.

9:30 am - 9:45 am                    Morning Break

9:45 am - 10:45 am                Universal Design in Your Communication

Danny Combs, CDLE

Danny Combs, the inaugural director of the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office, founder of TACT, and Co-Founder of the first neurodiversity chamber of commerce in the United States, will share about disability, employment, and procurement. Danny has spoken at the White House and the Pentagon and advocated for people with disabilities on NBC, FOX, CBS, PBS, NPR and more. He's the author of the #1 Book, "Supporting Neurodivergent and Autistic People for their Transition to Adulthood: Blueprints for Education, Training and Employment.

10:45 am - 11:00 am               Break

11:00 am - 12:00 pm              Session TBD

Mike Whalen, MBA, CPPB, NIGP-CPP

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm                 Lunch

Connect with colleagues at the networking lunch!  Share tips and tricks of the trade or connect with people on a personal level.  In-person networking has great value!  TIP: Sit with someone you don’t know.  

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm                  NIGP and the Future of Public Procurement

Whitney Mugford-Smith

2:00 pm – 4:30 pm                  Reverse Vendor Trade Show

This is the supplier’s opportunity to meet directly with procurement representatives from local public agencies including Cities, Counties, State Agencies and School Districts.

4:30 pm                                       Closing Remarks - Adjourn 

Doug Clapp, President RMGPA

Day 2

8:00 am - 8:55 am                    Registration, Networking & Continental Breakfast

8:55 am - 9:00 am                    Welcome and Opening Remarks

Doug Clapp, President RMGPA

9:00 am - 10:00 am                 Equipped for Anything: Strengthening Emergency Preparedness Through Strategic Procurement

Ken Moore & Manny Coya, Amazon

In times of crisis, effective procurement is critical to ensuring a swift and coordinated response. From preparedness and immediate response to long-term recovery efforts, organizations must be able to quickly source supplies, manage financial accountability, and support their communities—all while maintaining control and compliance. Whether you’re preparing for future crises, responding to urgent needs, or facilitating recovery, discover how smarter procurement strategies—already covered under an existing cooperative agreement—can help you act quickly, stay accountable, and make a lasting impact when it matters most.

UPPCC Body of Knowledge: 

Domain II. Pre-Solicitation Planning -E. Evaluate cooperative procurement options (e.g., aggregate requirements, government contracts), Domain III. Sourcing and Supplier Selection -B. Utilize alternative and non-competitive procurement methods (e.g., emergency, pilot programs, single source, sole source), Domain VI. Procurement Business Principles -G. Recognize the impact of disasters and emergencies on the procurement process.

10:00 am - 10:15 am               Break

10:15 am - 11:15 am               Disaster Resiliency from a Procurement Perspective

A Panel Discussion Moderated by Diana Cantu, Northern Water

Panelists:

Valerie Scott, City of Longmont

Heather MacMillan, Larimer County

Paul Squillace, Boulder Valley School District

11:15 am - 11:30 am               New member and first-time attendee recognition

11:30 am - 12:30 pm              Lunch

Connect with colleagues at the networking lunch! Share tips and tricks of the trade or connect with people on a personal level.  In-person networking has great value!  TIP: Sit with someone you don’t know.  

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm                 Key Trends Shaping the Public Procurement Future: AI & Procurement Agility 

Lucas Orosco, SOVRA

The landscape of public procurement is evolving rapidly. New technologies, shifting priorities, and socioeconomic events are reshaping how procurement professionals operate in 2025. This session will delve into the top trends of AI and Procurement Agility that SOVRA has seen influencing public procurement, providing insights to help you navigate these changes effectively. Join us to equip yourself with the knowledge to navigate these changes effectively.

• Advanced Technologies: AI and Data Analytics
• Leveraging AI and analytics to streamline procurement and make smarter decisions
• Procurement Agility and Flexibility
• Implementing agile processes to rapidly adapt procurement to evolving needs.

1:30 pm – 1:45 pm                  Break

1:45 pm - 2:45 pm                   Session TBD

2:45 pm - 3:00 pm                   Break

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm                   Ethics & Conflicts of Interest

Ryan Yarrow, JD – State of Colorado Purchasing & Contracts Office

4:00 pm                                      Closing Remarks - Adjourn 

Doug Clapp, President RMGPA

Need hotel accommodations?
We have secured a discounted rate of $119.00 per night
at the host hotel.

Please note that filming and photos may be taken at this event. These images may be used for RMGPA marketing and promotional purposes - both in print and online (i.e. social media) format. By registering for this event, you are consenting to the filming and photos and their use by RMGPA.