Getting it Done at NCMA GCMS 2022
Written by: Vera Medici
The National Contract Management Association (NCMA) Government Contract Management Symposium (GCMS) 2022 drew crowds to Bethesda, MD, and the virtual conference platform to learn from contracting professionals tackling the theme “Get It Done: Solutions from the Front Lines.”
The event kicked off on Sunday, December 4 with a welcome reception that included a cookie decorating contest and a festive holiday sweater contest. But December 5th and 6th were all business as attendees attended sessions and earned continuing education credits.
Training Program Sessions
On December 5, Management Concepts presented the session “The Power of Practice: How Training Programs Can Use Experiential Learning to Achieve Proficiency Faster,” with Robert Daugherty, Product Management Director, Acquisition & Contracting at Management Concepts, Melissa A. Starinsky, retired, Starinsky LLC, and Lenn Vincent, President, Vincent and Associates, LLC.
Daugherty, Starinsky, and Vincent kicked off the session by sharing personal experiences of how they got their start as contracting officers, and agreed that much of it could be summed up as “here’s a binder of regulations, good luck.” While this may not be the case nowadays, there is still opportunity for a better, faster, and more well-rounded approach to training new contracting officers.
One such offering from Management Concepts is Career Gateway: Acquisition, where students will not only learn technical skills and business acumen, they’ll apply those skills and practice them in a threaded storyline where they support the establishment of a settlement on Mars – mirroring the real-life tasks and challenges new professionals will face in their daily on-the-job roles.
Management Concepts Presence
At the Management Concepts booth both onsite and online, GCMS attendees had the opportunity to pick up more information on Career Gateway: Acquisition, and speak to experts who contributed to developing the program content. Additional information available at the booth included our government-aligned Acquisition & Contracting Credentials Programs, and Digital IT Acquisition Professional (DITAP) Program.
The Career Fair at GCMS featured multiple exhibitors, recruiting for a variety of roles within the government contracting community. Management Concepts always has opportunities for instructors and subject matter experts to present courses, contribute to course development, and participate in special projects. Download our Acquisition & Contracting Instructor/SME recruiting handout, or visit ManagementConcepts.com/Careers to apply.
Connect with Us!
After a busy two days on the ground “getting it done” at GCMS, Management Concepts staff wrapped up our 2022 activities with NCMA. Browse our event photos on Facebook, and check out our NCMA partnership page to find us at NCMA events in 2023.
