Date/Time
2/5/2026
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Eastern
Event Registration
Event Type(s)
OPBA Ignite
Event Description
OPBA Ignite
Thursday, February 5, 2026
1 PM - 2 PM ET (Virtual Event)
Registration closes Wednesday February 4, 2026 
- 12:00 PM ET.

As emerging technologies continue to accelerate, public sector organizations are engaging with an increasing number of vendors—many offering complex or autonomous technology solutions. For public procurement professionals, the challenge is ensuring these vendors deliver value while minimizing risk, maintaining governance, and supporting organizational objectives.

This session explores how a modern, scalable Vendor Management and Improvement (VMI) approach can help procurement teams adapt to rapid technological change. Participants will learn how to strengthen oversight of both new and existing vendors, support departments in managing vendors responsibly, and improve negotiation outcomes—all while aligning with procurement policies and broader governance frameworks.

Designed specifically for public procurement professionals, this session provides practical insights and tools to help future-proof vendor management practices, improve efficiency, and ensure vendor relationships contribute measurable value to the organization.

Presenter:
Trisha Kent, Technical Counselor, Vendor Management and Project & Portfolio Management



Trisha functioned as a Global Director for IT Vendor Management involving adept relationship building and partnership development while leading critical negotiations to achieve financial targets. During this period, she was able to negotiate best-in-class agreements with major software providers SAP, Oracle, MSFT, Salesforce, and ServiceNow; spearhead the implementation for a center of excellence; and enable operational scaling, license management, and governance structure design.

Trisha prides herself on the relationships that she has built with clientele, vendors, and employees at all levels of an organization, and her commitment to people leadership and development has been a hallmark of her professional career.

Prior to joining the team at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Trisha oversaw high-level account management at Gartner Inc. where she consistently drove explosive year-over-year revenue generation and market share.
 

Registration Fees:

Title

Fee

Member Status

Points

CEUs

Hours

Members

$20.00 + HST

Members Only

0.0000

0.0000

1.00

Non Members         

$35.00 + HST      

All Registrants        

0.0000     

0.0000      

1.00           

Please refer to our refund + payment policy for information regarding cancellations and/or refunds.

Location
CANADA
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