Lexington, KY – May 19th, 2026 – To formalize their commitment to work together to ensure the continued growth, development and global recognition of the Certified Public Procurement Officer® and Certified Professional Public Buyer® certification programs, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC) and the Airport Procurement Group (APG).
With the signing of the MOU, APG has become an official UPPCC Partner. The UPPCC Partner program was established to build a communication network between professional membership organizations and the UPPCC. It provides UPPCC with a broader audience in which to communicate the value of the professional certifications it offers and provides the UPPCC Partner with an active voice for their membership in the development of the CPPO and CPPB certifications. In recognition of the collaborative partnership, UPPCC is extending discounted rates for certification and recertification to the membership of APG.
April Kelly, CPPO, CPPB, NIGP-CPP, FCCM, Vice President and APG Board shares, ”APG is excited to partner with UPPCC to further advance the professional development of airport procurement practitioners. UPPCC has long been recognized for its commitment to elevating the standards of public procurement through its CPPO and CPPB certification programs. This partnership supports APG’s mission to promote excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning within the airport procurement community. By joining forces with UPPCC, we are strengthening opportunities for our members to achieve professional certification and recognition that reflect the highest levels of integrity and expertise in public procurement.”
Valerie Bollinger, J.D., CPPO, CPPB Chair of the UPPCC Board says, “We are excited to welcome APG as our newest strategic partner and look forward to working together on our shared vision of elevating the public procurement profession. APG members will receive new benefits and collaboration opportunities while supporting and promoting CPPOs and CPPBs in the profession.”
UPPCC values and invites open collaboration from across the profession in the development of UPPCC
certifications and hopes that more organizations will consider becoming a UPPCC Partner. For more
information, please visit the UPPCC Partner page on the UPPCC website.
About UPPCC
The Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC) is an independent entity formed to govern and administer the Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) and Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) certification programs. The CPPO and CPPB programs are highly regarded and respected among procurement professionals and employers involved in the public sector. To date, the UPPCC has certified well over 14,600 professionals primarily within the US and Canada as well as in other nations around the globe.
About APG
Founded in 2007, the Airport Procurement Group (APG) is a professional organization dedicated to supporting procurement professionals within the airport industry. APG provides a collaborative network for sharing best practices, promoting education, and advancing procurement excellence across airport authorities and public agencies worldwide. Through partnerships and professional development initiatives, APG fosters innovation, transparency, and efficiency in airport procurement operations.