Doubletree Hotel
1850 Old Fort Parkway
Murfreesboro, TN 37129

615.895.5555 x166

Request the TVPPA group rate of $89, which ends on Monday, March 3. Online group code is TVP. Click here for Doubletree online reservations.

**Be sure to check the information in the column to the right (scroll if needed) for additional conference details.**

IMPORTANT: The hotel is holding a block of rooms for TVPPA attendees until March 3. However, the room block could sell out prior to March 3, so early reservations are encouraged. Reservation requests received after March 3 will be confirmed on a rate- and space-available basis.

NOTE: If you HAVE a Doubletree reservation but need to cancel, please cancel through TVPPA. If you NEED a Doubletree reservation, please let TVPPA know. We'll match cancelled lodging with those needing rooms. Contact Conferences by telephone, 423.648.2466, or by E-MAIL, conferences@tvppa.com.

— Click here for online registration —

Business Ethics for the Purchasing Professional
Ethical behavior is important in all aspects of business, but few functions receive as much scrutiny as purchasing. The need to maintain high ethical standards is all the more important because of the amount of money that is controlled or influenced by the purchaser. Dr. Kimball E. Bullington, Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management at Middle Tennessee State University, will cover ethical standards of the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), as well as other practical standards to consider in the purchasing process. (Download Presentation)

Keeping Your Inventory Secure
As a purchasing professional, you’ve gotten best price on the material required by your utility, and it’s been delivered. Can you rest easy? What if all or part of that inventory is stolen, vandalized or destroyed in a terrorist incident? David Scates, Security Director, Knoxville, TN, Utilities Board, will share a holistic approach to utility inventory security. Learn why processes, policies, procedures and company culture are as important as physical countermeasures in protecting assets.

Update — Member-owned Seven States Power Corp.
TVPPA-member utilities have formed a cooperative that will jointly own electric generating units with TVA. It’s the first time in TVA’s 75-year history that its municipal and cooperative customers will have the opportunity for real equity ownership in our region’s power generating assets. Jack Simmons, President & CEO of Seven States Power Corporation, will provide a status report on this new venture.

Concurrent Sessions (select one)

Demo — PECOS Electronic Purchasing Tool
In this informal session, Ron Frere of TVA’s Customer Procurement Partnerships group will demonstrate how ordering can be easier when using PECOS – a free tool already available to you. See how to search for products and vendors, look up specifications, prepare or cancel a PO and much more. Whether simple or difficult, all questions will be addressed. Want a formal presentation? This session is not for you. If you’re looking for interactive discussion about easier purchasing methods, come on in. (Download Presentation)

Preparing an Effective Materials Solicitation
The solicitation process, often involving a “request for proposal,” is the natural lead-in to and basis for the contracting process. Scott Woodlee, Special Projects Coordinator for Volunteer Energy Cooperative, will lead discussion on the elements, organization and effectiveness of a materials solicitation. Learn how a good solicitation can help you leverage the buy and realize the desired results. Rather than a formal presentation, purchasing professionals who attend this session will experience Q&A and open discussion involving the audience. “None of us is as smart as all of us.” (Download Presentation)

Concurrent Sessions (select one)

Year-end Inventory Methods (Panel)
Preparing and maintaining an accurate inventory is a headache for every business, including electric utilities. How are some TVPPA-member utilities handling this? What are the lessons they’ve learned in the process? Three peers will share their system and experience, and address your questions. The panelists include Gregg Bolinger, left, Material Management Supervisor, Nashville, TN, Electric Service; Sandy Grogan, center, Vice President & CFO with Pennyrile Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation, Hopkinsville, KY; and Diane Simpkins, right, Director of Purchasing for Murfreesboro, TN, Electric Department.

Potential Purchasing Certification Program
When the large number of baby boomers in the utility industry – including purchasing — begin retiring, how can we build the skills of their replacements? One method that’s been suggested is a purchasing certification program. Danette Scudder, TVPPA E&T Training Administrative Manager, will outline how such a program might be created and implemented. This will be an informal session, soliciting feedback on the level of interest in such a program and identifying program structure and objectives from those interested. (Download Presentation)

Concurrent Sessions (select one)

Material Costs Forecast, Pricing Trends (Panel)
Representatives of two utility vendors will share the latest information on future costs of raw materials used in products utilities purchase, as well as how this and other factors are affecting your purchasing price. Panelists are Eddie Moak, left, Vice President for Utility Sales with Irby Company in Jackson, MS, and Rick Morrison, right, President of UtiliCor in Nashville, TN. (Download Eddie's Presentation) (Download Rick's Presentation)

Mercury-Vapor Lighting Outlawed — Now What?
Since January 1, mercury-vapor lighting ballasts are no longer manufactured, a result of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Utilities have thousands of these outdoor lights in service, but will need to select new products as existing fixtures expire. Sam Delay, Marketing Manager for TVA Outdoor Lighting Services, will discuss the pros and cons of other outdoor lighting technologies and compare fixture costs. (Download Presentation)

Protecting Electronic Purchasing Records
What can a utility do to protect its electronic records against security threats, hacker attacks and identity theft? Regardless of your utility size, budget or lack of onsite IT expertise, there are ways to mitigate risks. Steven Dyer, IT Professional Services Manager with Central Service Association, will share his knowledge and experience on this important topic. He’ll include example vulnerabilities discovered during audits of utility IT systems.

When The EPA Comes Knockin'
In 1987 Matt Miles formed Environmental Compliance Solutions to assist utilities in dealing with environmental regulations and issues. His specialties include PCB (Polyclorinated Biphenyl) and oil pollution regulations and mitigation practices. Mr. Miles has worked with more than 350 utilities and trained more than 1,200 utility personnel. A number of TVPPA-member utilities use his consulting services.

Got Copper? (Panel)
You know how much copper materials you’ve purchased. And you know where it’s stored or used, right? Better check. Copper prices have escalated, bringing out thieves willing to risk their lives stealing your copper. Lt. Danny Driskell, left, Metro Nashville Police Department, has worked with utilities and scrap dealers to make these thefts less profitable. Mike Bowling, (photo not available), of PSC Metals, a leading Nashville scrap materials dealer, is on our side, focusing attention on the source of scrap copper folks bring to sell. Mike Vinson, right, Executive Director, Tennessee Municipal Electric Power Association, is working with the Tennessee Legislature to strengthen laws on the theft of precious metals. Each panelist’s perspective will enlighten and educate attendees.
(Download LT. Driskell's Presentation)