2026 Summer Conference and Reverse Vendor Trade Show


The Board of Directors invites you to the 2026 Summer Conference of the Rocky Mountain Governmental Purchasing Association (RMGPA).
Discover new information at this educational and networking opportunity.
 
June 24, 2026, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

7:00 AM Check-In & Breakfast

7:45 AM - 8:00 AM Open Remarks

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM Contract Administration in Action: Techniques That Work

Presenter: Bill Davison

Effective contract administration is essential for successful project delivery, risk management, and organizational accountability. This session provides a full-lifecycle overview—from award to closeout—highlighting proven practices that prevent disputes, strengthen vendor relationships, and ensure contract performance is met at every stage.

Domain IV. Procurement Life Cycle: Contract Development & Administration:  A. Prepare enforceable contract documents, B. Coordinate the contract approval process, C. Administer the contract process

9:45 AM – 10:45 AM Customer Service and Building Vendor Relationships

Presenter: Scott Harris

The first half of this session examines the distinction between Customer Service and Customer Experience—what they share, how they differ, and how to apply each effectively in the procurement process. The second half focuses on the importance of building and maintaining strong professional vendor relationships, including strategies for navigating both positive and challenging interactions.

Domain V. Leadership & Influence: E. Provide guidance and training for internal and external stakeholders, F. Utilize conflict resolution techniques to address internal and external challenges

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Listen to the Music: Creating Harmony with Cooperative Procurement

Presenter: Tammy Rimes

Through musical themes and real-life examples, this interactive session highlights challenges faced by public procurement teams and provides tools to "turn up the volume" on value-added strategies. Participants will explore ways to strengthen supplier relationships, streamline procurement processes, and approach changing workloads with harmony and creativity. A panel of cooperative, supplier, and procurement professionals will complement the discussion.

Domain II. Procurement Life Cycle: Pre-Solicitation Planning:  E. Evaluate cooperative procurement options (e.g., aggregate requirements, government contracts)

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM  Business Meeting, New Member Recognition during Lunch

1:30 PM – 4:30 PM Reverse Vendor Trade Show

June 25, 2026, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

7:00 AM Check-In & Breakfast

7:15 AM – 7:45 AM Mindfulness & Chair-based Movement for Stress Reduction & Focus

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM How to Have Difficult Conversations: The F.B.I. Framework 

Presenter: Pam Dempsey

A practical communication framework (Facts, Behavior, Impact) that helps professionals navigate feedback, difficult conversations, and cross-team collaboration with more clarity and less friction.

Domain: Domain V. Leadership & Influence - F. Utilize conflict resolution techniques to address internal and external challenges, G. Engage in professional development, continuing education, cross training, and mentorship

9:15 AM – 10:15 AM Navigating Procurement with Purpose: Your Roadmap to Exceptional Customer Service

Presenter: Whitney Mugford-Smith, NIGP-CPP, CPPB

Public procurement professionals serve a wide range of customers, including internal departments navigating complex processes, external suppliers, contractors, consultants, and others seeking fair and transparent opportunities. This session will forge new paths while uncovering how to deliver exceptional customer service on both sides of the procurement function without compromising compliance or integrity.

Domain V. Leadership & Influence - E. Provide guidance and training for internal and external stakeholders, F. Utilize conflict resolution techniques to address internal and external challenges

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Understanding Bid Protests: Protecting Fairness in Public Procurement

Presenter: Bill Davison

This session provides a practical overview of the bid protest process, including when and why protests arise, how agencies evaluate them, and what contractors can expect at each stage.

Domain III. Procurement Life Cycle: Sourcing & Supplier Selection - G. Prepare for debriefs and/or protests

1:00 PM – 2:00PM Building Your AI Co-Pilot: Practical Clones, Guardrails, and Compliance in Public Procurement

Presenter: Aran Raz

Public procurement professionals are under pressure to move faster, do more with less, and maintain strict compliance. AI can help, but only if used correctly. This session demonstrates how to build a basic AI clone that supports procurement workflows while maintaining transparency, fairness, and defensibility.

Domain II. Procurement Life Cycle: Pre-Solicitation Planning - A. Integrate strategic procurement, organizational, and stakeholders’ goals and objectives in planning the procurement B. Conduct applicable analyses to determine the appropriate procurement process (e.g., financial impact, market research, sourcing, spend), C. Utilize alternative procurement tools to gather information related to a procurement process (e.g.,request for information (RFI), surveys)

2:15 PM – 3:15 PM Hands-On Workshop - Understanding AI Through Procurement Eyes

Presenter: John Persano

A hands-on session where participants create their own AI workspace, explore procurement-relevant data, and learn how AI tools can support procurement operations.

Domain II. Procurement Life Cycle: Pre-Solicitation Planning - A. Integrate strategic procurement, organizational, and stakeholders’ goals and objectives in planning the procurement B. Conduct applicable analyses to determine the appropriate procurement process (e.g., financial impact, market research, sourcing, spend), C. Utilize alternative procurement tools to gather information related to a procurement process (e.g.,request for information (RFI), surveys)

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM Debriefs - Getting The Word Out To Vendors After Award

Presenter: Moderator: Trudi Peepgrass; Panel - Kim Cullen, Aran Raz, Elizabeth Hewes

Vendor debriefs foster transparency and improve procurement outcomes. This session explores perspectives, best practices, and strategies for conducting effective debriefs.

Domain III. Sourcing & Supplier Selection: G. Prepare for debriefs and/or protests; Domain VI. Procurement Business Principles: E. Propose and employ continuous process improvements, J. Employ supplier engagement activities

Accommodations
This section will be updated with a link for the discounted rate soon.

Thank you to our Summer Conference Sponsors