2021 Government IT Symposium

This year, you’re invited to attend the Government IT Symposium, November 15-18, 2021 in a new hybrid environment! We are proceeding with safety as a top priority, but also can’t wait to see you in-person for the pre-conference session on Monday, November 15th at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. The remainder of the conference (November 16-18) will be virtual from the comfort of your own home.

Celebrating 40 years, the Government IT Symposium is one of the longest-running & largest government IT events in the nation. We know that government technology is no longer strictly technology-focused but incorporates a broader set of skills. The Government IT Symposium is designed to support your individual and organizational evolution – helping to position you and your agency to deliver on heightened expectations from citizens and policymakers. Join your fellow colleagues for engaging and innovative content that is bound to help you discover new strategies and tactics that Elevate Your Game!

Day 1 Keynote:
Seeing From a Different Point of View
Tuesday, November 16th from 9:15 – 10:15am
Chess is often known as a thinking game. In order to beat your opponent, you must step into their shoes and think about how they would think. In Maurice’s session, he will show you how to transfer the chess move thought process and adapt that same way of thinking into your own business and life. This fascinating session will help get your brain thinking in ways you never expected to use.

Day 2 Keynote:
Moonshot: Innovation in Government
Wednesday, November 17th from 9:15 – 10:15am
Public sector agencies are often known to be “conservative” -not in a political sense, but in a unwillingness to take risks and innovate. These agencies, conventional wisdom suggests, are hampered by rigid bureaucracies that are hostile to changing layers of standard procedures. George Hawkins, who transformed the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority into DC Water – from an organization resistant to change into an innovative powerhouse – believes that a resistance to change is almost always rooted in understandable principles and practices. He will suggest a simple and practical seven step process to encourage innovation that is founded on understanding the values of an organization, and using them as a motivator for change within a secure process and structure. George will lace his presentation with entertaining stories designed to illustrate key points.