2026 Fall Conference
November 16 - 19, 2026
Omni Corpus Christi Hotel
Transforming Public Procurement In Texas
Join us for the 2026 TxPPA Fall Conference November 16-19, 2026, at the Omni Corpus Christi Hotel in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Earn up to 17 CEUs, network with colleagues and suppliers from all over the state and help us Transform Public Procurement in Texas!
Earn up to 17 CEUs, network with colleagues and suppliers from all over the state and help us Transform Public Procurement in Texas!
Key Highlights:
- Pre-Conference Workshops
- Keynote Speakers
- General Sessions
- Breakout Session Opportunities
- Multiple Networking Opportunities
- Evening Networking Event
- Vendor Trade Show
- Member/Vendor Networking Lunch
Keynote Speakers
Opening KeynoteDr. Sam Caballero
The Human Side of Procurement Decision Making
The Human Side of Procurement Decision Making examines how emotional intelligence and behavioral factors influence procurement outcomes across sourcing, evaluation, negotiation, and contract execution. Participants gain insight into how stress, miscommunication, cognitive bias, and misaligned expectations shape real-world decision-making in procurement environments. The session helps attendees recognize early indicators of risk tied to human behavior and how these factors contribute to delays, conflict, and inefficiencies. Through practical, scenario-based discussion, participants strengthen their ability to remain objective under pressure, improve communication with stakeholders and vendors, and reduce escalation of conflict. Attendees leave with actionable tools to enhance self-awareness, improve decision quality, and strengthen alignment across procurement processes in complex, high-stakes environments where human behavior directly impacts outcomes. |
Mid-Conference Keynote
Denise Finn
From Paper to Performance: Leading Procurement Transformation Without Losing Your Team
Public Procurement is under constant pressure to modernize faster than ever before, digitizing processes, implementing new technologies, addressing workforce shortages, increasing transparency, and meeting rising stakeholder expectations. But transformation is not just about technology. It is about people, leadership, culture, and execution. This session provides a practical roadmap for leading procurement transformation in real-world public sector environments. Drawing from actual departmental modernization initiatives, attendees will learn strategies for implementing electronic procurement processes moving from paper-heavy and reactive operations to more strategic practices, improving operational performance, strenghthening stakeholder confidence, building a highly certified procurement team, and sustaining momentum during organizational change. Participants will explore lessons learned and leave with actionable ideas they can immediately apply within agencies of any size. |
Closing KeynoteDr. Jen Fry
The Procurement Squeeze: Managing Conflict When Everyone Thinks Their Priority Comes First
Public procurement professionals regularly balance competing priorities, stakeholder demands, vendor relationships, compliance requirements, and tight timelines. This session helps attendees recognize how conflict shows up throughout the procurement process and provides practical tools for navigating difficult conversations with confidence. Participants learn strategies for managing expectations, addressing competing interests, building trust with internal customers and vendors, and reducing friction that can delay projects and damage relationships. Through real-world procurement scenarios, attendees gain actionable techniques for improving communication, strengthening collaboration, and moving conversations from positions to solutions. Participants leave with a practical framework they can immediately apply to stakeholder management, vendor interactions, and cross-functional partnerships while maintaining compliance, accountability, and professionalism. |
Register
Early Bird Rates (Before October 16, 2026)
TxPPA Members $525.00
Non-Members $600.00
Non-Members $600.00
Standard Rates (After October 16, 2026)
TxPPA Members $600.00
Non-Members $750.00
Non-Members $750.00
This registration page is for TxPPA Members, eligible public procurement employees or invited guest only. All others please visit this page for registration.