The MN NIGP Chapter's annual conference will be held in-person at Conference at Como Zoo Conservatory on October 5, 2022, and October 6, 2022. There will also be the option to attend virtually via Zoom. This year's conference will feature sessions over two days and opportunities to network with peers in-person or virtually. Information about registration and presenters is provided below.

IN-PERSON CONFERENCE INFORMATION

 This year there will be the opportunity to attend in-person and the conference will take place at Conference at Como Zoo Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Dr, Saint Paul, MN 55103.  There is a block of rooms being held at Best Western Plus Como Park Hotel, 1010 Bandana Blvd W, St Paul, MN 55108 with room rates of $139.99 per night under MN NIGP, 10/4 & 10/5. There will also be a post-Conference Social and Networking Event on October 5, 2022.

VIRTUAL CONFERENCE INFORMATION

This year’s virtual conference will utilize Zoom as the event platform. Zoom will provide conference attendees with a unique interactive environment to enjoy each session with a seamless viewing experience from the comfortable confines of your office or home.  Virtual attendees will log in to the conference to take part in sessions.  If you are unable to attend any of the sessions, they will be available on-demand to access and view via the MN NIGP website members-only area.  Therefore, even if the conference dates don't work for you, it is still worth registering because you can have the conference experience at a time that is more convenient for your schedule.

REGISTRATION

• In-person MN NIGP Chapter Member Rate at $225
• Virtual MN NIGP Chapter Member Rate at $175
• In-person Non-Member Rate at $275
• Virtual Non-Member Rate at $225

Locate the registration page on the mnnigp.org website at the following URL:https://mnnigp.org/meet-reg1.php?id=100

After completing a ticket, download, complete, and submit the registration form as instructed to complete registration.  Attendees paying via purchasing card can select the appropriate ticket below to facilitate payment.  Attendees paying via an alternative method should indicate the preferred method on the registration form.  A representative from the MN NIGP Board will contact you to facilitate payment.

CONFERENCE GIFT

Conference participants may choose to order a mug with the Chapter's new logo or pick out their swag item from the e-store. Registrants will need to indicate their conference gift preference on their registration form. If registrants choose to order from the e-store, a promo code will be provided to the registrant once their registration form and payment have been processed. If registrants choose a mug, the mug order must be received no later than Tuesday, September 27, 2022.

TENTATIVE CONFERENCE SCHEDULE AND PRESENTERS

The following is the tentative conference schedule. The background information on presenters is provided below.

Wednesday, October 5, 2022 

7:30 am – 8:30 am: Welcome & Networking Session

8:30 am – 12:00 pm: RFP Dream Team with Stéphanie Dion, Mike Thornton, Victor Learme

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Leadership Communication with Janel Anderson

3:30 pm- 5:00 pm: Customer Service Excellent with Michael Kiefer

Post Day 1 Social Event: Dinner and Networking Event: Gabe’s Neighborhood Bar & Kitchen at 991 Lexington Pkwy N, Saint Paul, MN 55103

Thursday, October 6, 2022

7:30 am – 8:30 am: Welcome & Networking Session

8:30 am – 9:45 am: MN NIGP Business Meeting

10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Procurement Comes to Life Zoo Tour w/ City of St. Paul Procurement Team

12:00pm – 1:00pm: Lunch

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Price Escalation, Market Inflation, and Price Indexes w/ Justin Kaufman

3:00 pm: Conference Adjourns

PRESENTER BACKGROUNDS

• RFP Dream Team with Stephanie Dion, Director of Procurement Centre of Excellence with Government of Manitoba, Mike Thorton, Purchasing Manager of Leesburg, FL, Victor Leamer, and Senior Buyer at Spokane Country, WA
• Dr. Janel Anderson, Leadership & Communication Expert 
• Dr. Michael Monroe Kiefer, Professional Speaker and author of Powermnd System
• Justin Kaufman, Chief Legal Officer with the National Association of State Procurement Officials 

Additional Presenter background information is provided in the attached Conference Agenda 

Please note that suppliers and non-governmental entities are not eligible for MN NIGP membership and some resources may only be available to MN NIGP members