October President's Message
Welcome to the wonderful month of October, when the first hints of fall finally appear with cooling temperatures, shorter days, and the return of cobalt skies. It’s the month that finally halts summer’s rage and welcomes the refreshing turn of season. What a beautiful month. And best of all, October is the month when our Chapter delivers its biggest and most important event of the year – The 37th Annual Regional Conference and Vendor Expo!
It’s coming fast my friends! On October 22nd our Chapter and guests will convene at the Phoenix Convention Center where we will join together and celebrate our amazing profession during a jam-packed day of professional development, supplier interaction, and member networking. If you have not yet registered for this event, please do so as we are expecting upwards of 300 members to attend. We are also very close to selling out all of our vendor booths and will be enjoying one of the largest Vendor Expos in our Chapter’s history.
This year’s theme, “All Roads Lead to Procurement” celebrates the importance and interconnectedness of our profession within the organizations and communities we serve. We are also tying the legendary Route 66 into our theme as it celebrates its centennial this year.
Special recognition goes to Diana Landeros, Barbara Corella, Lori Noyes, and Susanna Hernandez, who are leading this massive planning effort along with their stellar committee which began planning the event back when we were still wearing our winter coats. Pulling off an event of this size, coupled with learning the ropes at a new venue, is truly a remarkable effort. Our Chapter members are the beneficiaries of that coordination, dedication, and hard work.
One of the key benefits of moving our event to the Phoenix Convention Center is that we are no longer constrained by space. We now offer five session options during each of the three breakout periods scheduled throughout the day, giving members a wide assortment of classes to choose from. And gone are the cramped rooms we experienced at some of our past events. At our new venue, you will have plenty of room to enjoy and participate in these sessions.
I hope you get a chance to browse the class schedule as I think you will be amazed by the depth and breadth of our topics and talented speakers joining us. You will want to arrive early, as we have a highly sought-after Keynote speaker, Andy Masters, who will kick things off at 8:00 a.m. to enlighten, entertain, and energize you for the fun day that awaits. Come check out the new venue and enjoy what promises to be an extraordinary professional development and networking event.
And just a little south of us, the Copper Chapter will be conducting its 2026 Reverse Trade Show at the Tucson Convention Center on November 17th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. I know that a number of entities from our Chapter will be attending to support this effort, and if you have not had a chance to register please consider joining the event. It’s always a great opportunity to expand your entity’s supplier network and enjoy networking time surrounded by the beautiful Santa Catalina Mountains.
And don’t forget that the Capitol Chapter has an upcoming one-day virtual NIGP seminar, Cost Price and Value Analysis, on November 2nd. Please contact Telma Bearden, Professional Development Chair, for more information.
Please also remember that our Mentoring Committee, led by Chair Gwen Irey, will soon be seeking recommendations for our annual RJD Mentoring Award in honor of Robert J. Descheemaker who made significant contributions to public procurement and famously led with a mentor first approach in supporting his fellow colleagues. I still remember when Bill Munch and I had the honor of presenting the very first RJD Mentoring Award to the namesake himself. Please start thinking of someone who you believe has supported and reflected that mentoring spirit and keep an eye out for the announcement.
As we head toward October 22nd, I keep coming back to just how fitting this year’s theme really is. Procurement touches virtually every part of the organizations and communities we serve. We are a force multiplier for adding value, and we do that through our knowledge, expertise, collaboration, and passion for public service. In that sense, All Roads Lead to Procurement is more than a conference theme, it is a symbol of this dynamic profession we belong to and one I am so proud to be part of with all of you.
I look forward to seeing all of you on the 22nd, when all roads will lead to the 37th Annual Regional Conference and Vendor Expo.
See you soon!
Michael Greene, CPPO, C.P.M.
2026 AZNIGP Chapter President