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Join us for our Annual Spring Conference and Fall Symposium!

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Meet our Conference Advisory Committee
Meet our Conference Advisory Committee

The Conference Advisory Committee (CAC) is responsible for providing input, coordination and oversight to the conference hosts in overall conference planning, the CAC ensures continuity and quality of program content.


Questions? Email us at conferences@vagp.us


COMMITTEE MEMBERS:


Stephanie Suter, Co-Chair

✉ stephanie.suter@lynchburgva.gov


Kari Claycomb, Co-Chair

✉ KClaycomb@vbgov.com


John Tigert

Francisco Barros

Tiffany Gilbert

Chad Galusha 

Will Ruberry

Matthew Easley

Cassandra Smith

Lori White

Richard Budaji

Kelly Pittman

Carrie Cook

Registration is OPEN NOW for our 2026 Spring Conference in Williamsburg, VA!


Register Today!



Join us in historic Williamsburg for four days of education, networking, and fun!



March 22-25, 2026


DoubleTree Hotel Williamsburg

50 Kingsmill Rd.

Williamsburg, VA 23185




VAGP Attendee Room Booking Link: https://group.doubletree.com/k32xur


VAGP Vendor Room Booking Link: https://group.doubletree.com/3x74vs


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Conference Schedule

(Schedule is subject to change)


UPPCC, VCO, VCA Total Hours: 13 Contact hours may be earned for attending the VAGP Spring Conference.
(Please contact organizations not listed above for their current recertification guidelines)

Sunday, March 22

3:00 PM8:00 PM Early Arrival’s Conference Registration - Attendees 1st Floor Registration
6:00 PM8:00 PM On Your Own - Discount Tickets to Busch Gardens

Monday, March 23
7:00 AM5:00 PM Conference Registration - Attendees 1st Floor Registration
7:30 AM9:00 AM Continental Breakfast at Registration Promenade
9:00 AM9:15 AM VAGP Presidential Welcome, Local Leadership and Nonprofit Representative Auditorium
9:15 AM11:30 AM Keynote Speaker : Laura Sellers, MCIPS - 7 Steps to Help You Take Control of your Procurement Career Auditorium
15 min break
11:45 AM12:15 PM Debbie Trueblood, MSW, FASAE, IOM, CAE, CEO NIGP Welcome Auditorium
12:15PM1:15 PM Networking Lunch - Hot Topics Promenade
Concurrent Breakout Sessions

1:15 PM2:15 PM
Session 1: Audrey Macklin - Getting Ready to Retire
Room 2
Session 2: Tyler McCall - Closing the Classroom Gap: Collaborative Solutions for Teacher Shortages Room 18
2:30 PM3:30 PM Session 1: James MacKenzie, Greg Scearce, CPPB, VCO & Megan Montgomery - Leading Through Technology: Leveraging the VAGP Website for Influence and Collaboration Room 2
Session 2: Carol Robinson, CPM, CPPO, MBA, PMP, VCO, VCM - Using Project Management in Procurement Room 18
3:45 PM5:00 PM Session 1: David Sandloop, MPA, CPPO, CPPB - Topic TBD Room 2
Session 2: John Tigert, MPA, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, CPPB & Panel - Finding Your Footing: Navigating Some Common Challenges for New Leaders Room 18
5:30 PM6:30 PM First-Timer Event Harvest Grille (1st Floor)
6:30 PM10:00 PM Meet and Greet/Hospitality Suite Harvest Grille (1st floor)

Tuesday, March 24

7:00 AM - 5:00 PM Conference Registration - Attendees 1st Floor Registration
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Networking Buffet Breakfast Promenade
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM General Session: Sourcewell - Speak Easy to Me. Stop Saying “It’s Policy.” Start Being Understood. Auditorium
VENDOR SHOWCASE

9:30 AM - 11:45 AM VENDOR SHOWCASE President's Ballroom
Noon - 1:00 PM Networking Lunch - Establishing Partnerships Promenade
Concurrent Breakout Sessions Throughout the Afternoon

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Session 1: James MacKenzie, Greg Scearce, CPPB, VCO & Megan Montgomery - Leading Through Technology: Leveraging the VAGP Website for Influence and Collaboration
Room 2/3
Session 2: Laura Sellers, MCIPS - Lead Yourself First: The Self Awareness Advantage in Procurement Room 18
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM Session 1: NASPO - Stephanie Gale & Kaitlyn Thomas - From Contracts to Classrooms: How to Introduce Public Procurement to the Next Generation Room 2/3
Session 2: Dr. MaryJo Buchard - Change Readiness Lab; Building Team Readiness During Change Room 18
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM General Session: Collaborative Solutions in Public Procurement: An Open Discussion Auditorium
(information on event following session)
6:30 PM - 10:00 PM Presidential Evening Event - Colonial Williamsburg Event Transportation Provided

Wednesday, March 25

7:45 - 9:15 AM Breakfast and Business Meeting (Business Meeting will begin at 8:15) Auditorium
9:15 AM - 10:15 AM General Session: Tremco - From Roof to Foundation: How to Optimize Building Performance and Budgets Auditorium
10:30 AM - 11:45 AM General Session: Dr. MaryJo Buchard - Procurement is Change Leadership; Navigating Chaotic Change as a Procurement Leader Auditorium
11:45 AM - 12:00 PM Closing Remarks Auditorium
Lunch on Your Own with a New Colleague before You Head Home

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