FOSE 2013–Experience Technology: See it. Hear it. Try it. Know it.

The second day at FOSE, held in Washington, D.C., highlighted new technologies and solution-based strategies organizations are using to provide more efficient and less costly ways of doing business.

The morning opened with a keynote address by former Washington Redskins Quarterback, Joe Theismann, who in his charismatic and entertaining style, drew parallels between his career as an NFL quarterback, and the necessity for good management and effective leadership for organizations to be successful.  Theismann noted that effective leadership is all about ‘people’. Whether it’s an employee or a teammate, listening, trusting, and empowering your team to be responsible for company goals is key for outstanding performance.

Steven VanRoekel, second Chief Information Officer of the United States, drew a large crowd at the afternoon keynote session. His prior positions included Executive Director of Citizen and Organizational Engagement at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Managing Director of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Speech and Strategy Assistant to Bill Gates at Microsoft, and Senior Director of the Windows Server division. VanRoekel touched on operational, technical, financial, and human resource aspects, as well as introducing and using new technologies and social media to pioneer new solutions needed in agencies and organizations today.

Beyond the keynote speakers and educational sessions was the exhibit floor, where attendees could interact and discuss products, services and ideas with organizations offering solutions. Many attendees participated in a Passport Giveaway, which required them to receive stamps from select exhibitors, and upon completion they were placed in a drawing for an iPad. As evidenced at the GovEvents booth, the Passport Giveaway’s popularity increased on day two, especially for those who had not won a prize the first day.

To access the full program agenda and find out about FOSE 2014, visit www.fose.com.

DC Contractors & USAID Will Come Together This Week at The 6th Annual Small Business Summit in DC

On May 16, small contractors in the D.C.-area will have an opportunity to meet and learn to work with one of the leading government organizations providing lucrative, global contracts – the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The 6th Annual Small Business Summit, at the Ronald Reagan Convention Center, will provide a forum for local small businesses to learn about federal government contracting, attended matchmaking and counseling sessions and network.

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Bring Federal Conferences Back to Las Vegas, Lawmakers Say

Originally posted by Kedar Pavgi on GovExec

A bipartisan group of House members from Nevada want to eliminate bans on federal agencies holding conferences in casinos or resort locations.

The bill—proposed by Republican Reps. Mark Amodei and Joe Heck, and Democratic Reps. Dina Titus and Steven Horsford—says such prohibitions are counterproductive and unfairly target areas with high numbers of resort and vacation locations.

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As sequester grounds federal researchers, conference organizers sing the blues

Originally posted by Emily Yehle on E&E Publishing

More than environmental programs, more than salaries, pensions, contracts or research, politicians love to cut government travel.

It’s an easy target as lawmakers look to scale back government spending; since 2011, the White House has forced agencies to cut billions of dollars from their travel coffers. In a world of email, Skype and webinars, flying thousands of miles for face-to-face meetings seems like a luxury.

Now, as agencies pare down budgets under sequestration, travel again is on the cutting block.

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Budget cuts push conferences online

Originally posted Nicole Blake Johnson on Federal Times

Decreasing travel budgets are forcing agencies to conduct more meetings and training seminars online.

The Defense Department, for example, doubled the capacity of its Defense Connect Online system — an internal collaboration tool — this year to accommodate more simultaneous audio and video Web conferencing across the services. DCO’s reach grew to 800,000 registered users in February, which DoD attributes to departmentwide travel and conference spending cuts.

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