In March, I had the opportunity to attend the Procurement Month celebration hosted by the Mississippi Association of Governmental Purchasing/Property Agents (MAGPPA) in Pearl, Mississippi, and it turned out to be more than just a professional event. It was a reminder of how much connection, curiosity, and community still drive this industry.
I attended as part of the GovDeals presentation team, stepping in from my role as a Marketing Communications Specialist to help operate the technology and answer questions throughout the session. Going in, my goal was simple: listen, observe, and better understand what matters most to the people we serve.
Starting the Day: Setting the Tone
The day kicked off with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, coffee, donuts, and light conversation, followed by introductions and acknowledgments. It felt less like a formal conference and more like a space intentionally designed for learning and collaboration.
A lot of that credit goes to Veronica Dunning, who organized the event and made it a point to thank sponsors and contributors for helping elevate the experience. It set the tone for a day that balanced professionalism with personality.
That tone carried into our GovDeals presentation, where I had a front-row seat to what truly resonates with procurement and property professionals. During our presentation, one attendee asked a question that immediately shifted my perspective: How do we ensure your buyers aren’t frauds and that they’ll actually pay?
In that moment, I walked her through our process, explaining the probationary period for new buyers, where during their first 90 days they’re limited to three active auctions and a $1,000 spending cap unless they place a deposit. It’s a system designed to build trust while minimizing risk.
But what stood out was what the question represented. For professionals managing public assets, this isn’t just about selling items. It’s about accountability, risk, and protecting taxpayer resources. That interaction made something very clear: trust isn’t assumed it has to be proven.
One standout moment was hosting an interactive Price Is Right-style game, where contestants tried to guess the sale prices of real items sold on GovDeals. The mix of unexpected assets and surprising final prices sparked laughter throughout the room and made for a fun, memorable way to engage with the audience. The top three participants walked home with prizes.
Conversations That Reinforced the Bigger Picture
With the open-style seating, I had the chance to sit with members of the Mississippi Forestry Commission, who were already familiar with GovDeals through our partnership with the state. As a state agency, they’re required to route surplus through their internal system before it’s ultimately sold.
That conversation added another layer to my understanding that many agencies already operate within structured processes, and when they look to partners like GovDeals, they’re not just looking for convenience. They’re looking for alignment, reliability, and confidence in the system.
More Than Procurement: Energy, Engagement, and Community
After lunch, when most events tend to slow down, Aaron Honeysucker, a retired Army veteran, completely shifted the energy in the room. With the help of his two special guests, he got the attendees up, moving, and even dancing.
Beyond the fun, his message was clear: stay active, stay hydrated, and take your health seriously. It was a powerful reminder that even in professional spaces, wellness matters.
Later, guest speaker Dr. Toni Robinson delivered a message centered on “rocking procurement” and building stronger futures together. What stood out most was her emphasis on growth—encouraging attendees to lean into the skills they already have and use them as a foundation to evolve within the field and help push it forward.
Procurement Month Awards
As part of the celebration, MAGPPA took time to recognize professionals who exemplified excellence in their roles throughout the year. These award recipients were honored for their dedication, leadership, and impact within the procurement and property management community:
Purchasing Manager of the Year: Kathy Perkins
Purchasing Agent of the Year: Brandon Bridges
Property Manager of the Year: Chloe Loving
Property Officer of the Year: Brooke Sibley
Their achievements served as a meaningful reminder of the vital role procurement and property professionals play in supporting their organizations and communities.
My Biggest Takeaway
Walking away from the event, I realized that experiences like this are invaluable not just for networking but for perspective. Being in the room with the people we’re trying to reach changed how I think about communication.
It’s not just about getting the message out; it’s about addressing real concerns, acknowledging real responsibilities, and earning real trust. The people in that room weren’t just curious; they were cautious, informed, and responsible for making decisions that carry real weight within their organizations. And that means our communication has to do more than inform, it has to reassure.
MAGPPA’s Procurement Month celebration was a great reminder that even in highly structured industries like government purchasing, people are still at the center of everything.
