Annual Workforce Technology Conference

*The following information is for a previous conference. It should be used as a reference only.

2009 Agenda - Monterey, California

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Monday, June 15th

9:00am - 11:45am
Pre-Conference Training
John Marks & Dan Fitzgerald, Geographic Solutions
Version 10 Training.
12:00pm - 1:30pm
Lunch On Your Own
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Continued Training
John Marks & Dan Fitzgerald, Geographic Solutions
A continuation of Version 10 Training.
4:00pm - 6:00pm
Optional Aquarium Visit
Join fellow training attendees for a visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

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Tuesday, June 16th

8:00am - 9:00am
Registration / Complimentary Breakfast
Join us for a complimentary continental breakfast before the conference opening.
9:00am - 9:15am
Opening
Barry Galloway, Barry Galloway Design Group, VA
Conference overview and information about the schedule and activities.
9:15am - 9:45am
Welcome
Joseph Werner, Monterey Workforce Investment Board, CA
An introduction to Monterey County and comments on workforce issues in the State of California.
9:45am - 10:30am
DOL Update
John Humphrey, US DOL, CA
An update on DOL priorities including the latest on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, WISPR, WIA, Wagner Peyser, TAA, and LMI.
10:30am - 10:45am
Break
10:45am - 11:30am
Geographic Solutions Update: A Year in Review
Deane Toler, Geographic Solutions
A review of significant events at Geographic Solutions since the last conference.
11:30am - 1:00pm
Complimentary Lunch
Join us for a complimentary lunch in a traditional outdoor setting at the Memory Gardens next to the hotel.
1:00pm - 2:30pm
The Next Steps for Virtual OneStop and Virtual LMI
Paul Toomey, Geographic Solutions
An overview of what's new and what's changing in the latest releases of Virtual OneStop / Virtual LMI. See how Version 10.1 improves staff services and case management, as well as new features for individuals, employers, and labor market professionals. Brand new functionality will be unveiled for the first time.
2:30pm - 2:45pm
Break
2:45pm - 3:45pm
New Online Training Tools by ALISON
Mike Feerick, ALISON, Ireland
A review of the integration of free ALISON training and Virtual OneStop Version 10. Discover the latest training curriculum available online.
In Context LMI and Labor Exchange
Paul Toomey, Geographic Solutions
A detailed look at how in the latest version of Virtual OneStop / Virtual LMI individuals and employers are presented with labor market information in the context of their activities on the system.
3:45pm - 4:45pm
Social Networking and Web 2.0
Steve Urquhart, Workforce Florida, Inc., FL
A close look at social networking trends and how they apply to workforce development.
Operation Blind Pigeon: The National Labor Market Analysis System
Jason Webb, Jason Hawker, & Bill Megargel, Geographic Solutions
A review of the latest offering from Geographic Solutions that allows the analysis of labor market information (traditional and real-time) across states.
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Complimentary Reception (Reaching New Heights in Africa)
Network with your fellow attendees while taking in spectacular views of the Monterey Bay. A multimedia presentation by Paul Toomey and Deane Toler on their recent trip to Tanzania and charity climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro will be featured.

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Wednesday, June 17th

8:00am - 8:30am
Complimentary Breakfast
Join us for a complimentary continental breakfast before the sessions.
8:30am - 9:45am
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
John Chamberlin, Law Offices of John Chamberlin, OR
John Chamberlain, Attorney and National Workforce Development Expert will discuss the practical issues of ARRA on your service delivery strategy. Topics include: Implementing the enhanced WIA youth, adult, and dislocated worker programs; Best practices and problems from across the country; Linking to other training and job opportunities throughout the rest of the 407 page bill; Reporting and performance concerns and solutions.
9:45am - 10:00am
Break
10:00am - 10:45am
Washington Update
Ed Trumbull, Coalition for Workforce Solutions, VA
Insights on current government affairs and what it all means to workforce practitioners.
10:45am - 11:45am
A New Look at Client Flow: Job Seekers
Melanie Arthur, Greg Newton & Associates, IN
New ideas to improve customer service for job seekers. Explore innovative approaches to improve workflow and overall performance.
Latest Advances in Individual Fund Tracking and Integration with Fund Accounting
John Stafford, Schneider Downs & Co., Inc.
Pam Johnson, Geographic Solutions
A preview of the latest advances in IFT. Explore system integration with the MIP accounting system.
LMI Overview
Ted Gladden, Information Consulting Services
A review of the most recent developments in LMI delivery and the challenges presented by times of changing needs and shrinking budgets.
11:45am - 1:00pm
Awards and Complimentary Lunch
Join us for a complimentary lunch in Ferrante's Bay View Room.
1:00pm - 2:00pm
A New Look at Client Flow: Employers
Melanie Arthur, Greg Newton & Associates, IN
New ideas to improve customer service for employers. Explore innovative approaches to improve workflow and employer satisfaction.
New Technologies to Improve Customer Flow and Data Collection
Robert Letzeisen, Rover Tech Fusions
A preview of new technologies that assist in the collection of client data digitally captured directly from pen and paper.
Employer Information: InfoUSA Update
Jim Winner, InfoUSA, NE
A discussion of what's new with InfoUSA including an overview of the latest information on the Employer Database.
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Service Delivery
John Chamberlin, Law Offices of John Chamberlin, OR
WIA training funding has more than doubled. Job placement opportunities continue to decline. Most of the unemployed cannot afford to attend long term, full time training. Spending twice as much money on training slots on the Eligible Training Provider List is not going to get the job done! This session will explore the following questions. Come prepared with the toughest questions and the most creative solutions you can think of!
  • Where are the high growth, high demand jobs in your workforce area?
  • How should training be redesigned and reconfigured to fit the realities of your local labor market?
  • How could more paid, work-based training be created?
  • How could supportive services and other payments be structured to allow more trainees to enter and complete training to get jobs?
  • How could One-Stop Centers increase the quantity and quality of business and job seeker services while staying cost effective?
Real-Time LMI, Spidering Green Jobs, and Operation Screeching Owl
Bill Megargel & Sherril Claus, Geographic Solutions
A review of the challenges and benefits of gathering real-time and historical labor market information from workforce systems, as well as the latest methods for classifying Green Jobs and the unveiling of Operation Screeching Owl.
3:00pm - 3:15pm
Break
3:15pm - 4:00pm
Roundtable Discussion: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and its Impact on Workforce Development
Ed Trumbull, Coalition for Workforce Solutions, VA (Moderator)
John Chamberlin, Law Offices of John Chamberlin, OR
Melanie Arthur, Greg Newton & Associates, IN
Ted Gladden, Information Consulting Services
Steve Corona, JobWorks, IN
A panel discussion on the challenges facing workforce development in the context of the stimulus package and how technology can be used to improve service delivery.
4:00pm - 5:00pm
Latest Technical and Marketing Opportunities for Workforce Development
Guy Kawasaki, Managing Director, Garage Technology Ventures, CA
Mr. Kawasaki is recognized as a leading thinker in technology and social networking. This session will present out-of-the-box ideas to address current workforce challenges.
6:00pm - 10:00pm
Complimentary Reception & Dinner: Adventures by the Sea
Life's a beach...party! Join us for dinner, dancing, and volleyball at the beach overlooking Monterey Bay. Sign up for a volleyball team at the conference registration.

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Thursday, June 18th

8:00am - 8:30am
Complimentary Breakfast
Join us for a complimentary continental breakfast before the sessions.
8:30am - 9:30am
ARRA and New Case Management Tools
Pam Johnson, Geographic Solutions
A review of new features that improve customer service including WIA, Welfare Transition, Common Intake, and Individual Fund Tracking.
Innovative Targeted Employment Portals
Sherril Claus, Geographic Solutions
An overview of best practices for effectively developing and implementing employment portals for targeted employment-seeking demographic groups. A review of the Florida Silver Surfer project.
The New Internet-Based LMI DataLoader Tool
Jason Webb & Jason Hawker, Geographic Solutions
A review and demonstration of new functionality in the latest Analyzer module and Workforce Information Database DataLoader tool.
9:30am - 10:30am
ARRA and the Latest Reporting Features
Pam Johnson & Sherril Claus, Geographic Solutions
A review of system enhancements designed to respond to ARRA. Share best practices and lessons learned.
Green Jobs for a 21st Century Workforce
Sal Vaca, RichmondWORKS, CA
Learn about an award winning "best practice" project in Richmond, California that has created a pathway out of poverty.
Future Virtual LMI Enhancements
Jason Webb, Jason Hawker, & Paul Toomey, Geographic Solutions
Identifying customer needs for future development in Virtual LMI. Vote for the enhancements you would like to see in the next version of Virtual LMI.
10:30am - 10:45am
Break
10:45am - 12:00pm
Overview of the Deployment Process
Tim Himes, Robert Black, & Del Robinson, Geographic Solutions
Geographic Solutions staff will review the latest process and procedures used to maintain and enhance your system. This will include ways to increase effective project communication, an overview of the incident tracking and integrated testing processes, and tips on maximizing your operation of the Online Project Communication (OPC) System.
New Training Tools to Enhance User Knowledge
John Marks & Dan Fitzgerald, Geographic Solutions
A preview of new tools to help with the ongoing challenges of staff training. Learn about our new learning lunch initiative and other methods of enhancing staff training.
12:00pm - 1:15pm
Complimentary Lunch
Brown bag working lunches. Topics will be announced at the morning break.
1:15pm - 2:15pm
Future Enhancements
A group discussion with all attendees and Geographic Solutions staff. Vote for the enhancements you would like to see in the next version of Virtual OneStop.
2:15pm - 2:30pm
Closing Remarks
3:30pm
Optional Golf Outing
Join fellow conference attendees for a game of golf.

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Friday, June 19th

By Appointment
Meet with Geographic Solutions' Staff
Meet one-on-one with Geographic Solutions staff.

*This agenda is subject to change.

If you would like to speak to a Conference Representative, please call us toll-free at 1-888-710-4867.

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