PEPPM-KPN Powerhouse Purchasing Day - Vendor Expo and Speakers

Where Partnerships Power Procurement

Join PEPPM and the Keystone Purchasing Network (KPN) for a high-impact day of learning, networking, and purchasing solutions designed for school and public agency professionals.

Powerhouse Purchasing Day brings together expert educational sessions and an exhibit hall featuring awarded KPN and PEPPM vendors. Whether you're new to cooperative purchasing or looking for new ways to maximize your purchasing power, you'll leave with practical information and connections you can put to use.

Event Details

Thursday, September 10, 2026
8:30 AM–3:00 PM

Penn Harris Hotel & Convention Center
Camp Hill, PA

FREE EVENT • LUNCH INCLUDED

Event Schedule

8:30–9:00 AM | Registration & Light Breakfast

9:00–10:00 AM — Cooperative Purchasing Session

Cooperative Purchasing: Navigating Diverse Arrangements
Tom Caruso, CSIU & Ellen Enters, McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC

Explore the different types of cooperative purchasing arrangements available to school districts and public entities, including key differences, benefits, compliance considerations, and factors to consider when selecting the right approach for your organization.

10:00 AM–1:30 PM | Exhibit Hall Open

10:00–10:30 AM — Technology & Facility Sessions

10:00–10:30 AM — Technology Session

Power Up Your Purchasing: Using AI to Make Smarter Decisions, Faster
Jeff Kay & Matt Sherwood, CSIU

See practical ways AI can help you research vendors, uncover potential costs and risks, compare solutions, and turn your findings into clear purchasing recommendations.

10:00–10:30 AM — Facilities Session

Facilities Forward: Smarter Strategies for Modern K–12 Operations
Joe Gurzenda, Jesse Romberger & Rebecca Long, Veritiv

Explore practical strategies for managing staffing shortages, budget pressures, sustainability initiatives, and smart-building technologies while leveraging cooperative purchasing to maximize resources and improve operational efficiency.

11:30–12:00 AM — Technology & Facility Sessions

11:30 AM–12:00 PM — Technology Session

Power Up Your Purchasing: Using AI to Make Smarter Decisions, Faster
Jeff Kay & Matt Sherwood, CSIU

Repeat session — another opportunity to discover practical ways to put AI to work in your purchasing process.

11:30 AM–12:00 PM — Facilities Session

Did You Know? Cooperative Purchasing for Construction & Facilities Projects
Ellen Enters, McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC

Explore how cooperative purchasing and Job Order Contracting (JOC) can provide alternatives to traditional bidding for certain construction, renovation, and facilities projects, including considerations when determining the right approach for a project.

12:00–1:00 PM | Lunch in the Ballroom

12:45–1:15 PM | Open Q&A / Panel Discussion

1:15–2:00 PM PASBO Update

Updates from Harrisburg
Hannah Barrick, Executive Director, PASBO

Meet Our Exhibitors

Visit the exhibit hall from 10:00 AM–1:30 PM to connect directly with awarded KPN and PEPPM vendors, explore products and solutions, ask questions, and discover new ways to maximize your purchasing power.

2026 Exhibitors

A+ Mobile Solutions • App-Techs • Avive • Berkshire Systems Group • BlackCSI • Clear Touch • Columbia Manufacturing • Craftmaster Hardware • Culinary Depot • Dauphin DataCom • Eagle Secure Solutions • Educate-me.net • En-Net Services

FileBank, Inc. • Genetec Inc. • Gordian, Inc. • Hanwha Vision America • i-PRO • KIT Communications • Marco Technologies • MAXCases • Mobilease Modular Space • Musco Lighting • Patcraft • Precision Concrete Cutting • River Valley Recreation

Schaedler Yesco Distribution • School Specialty • Shaw Contract • Tarkett Sports • Telecor • TWG Security • Tremco Roofing • Turn-key Technologies • Tuway Communications • Veritiv • Visual Sound • Window Film Depot • Winslow Technology Group

Raffles & Giveaways

Be sure to stick around for your chance to win some great prizes!

Featured Raffle Prize:
🎟️ Full registration to the 2027 PASBO Annual Conference — including lodging!

Learn. Connect. Discover.

Come with questions, meet the experts and awarded vendors behind KPN and PEPPM contracts, and leave with new ideas for making your purchasing process work harder for your organization.

Registration is free and lunch is included.