Government 2.0: Transparency, Participation and Collaboration

COVITS 2009 will be held Sept. 20-22 at the Williamsburg Marriott

Gubernatorial candidates to address COVITS participants

In keeping with a COVITS tradition, gubernatorial candidates Bob McDonnell and Creigh Deeds will share views on the role technology will play in their administrations if elected. On Tuesday, Sept. 22, Deeds will address participants at 9:00 a.m., followed by McDonnell at 10:00 a.m.

Keynote speakers announced

The COVITS Advisory Board, comprised of both state and local Virginia government IT leaders, has completed program development for COVITS 2009.

Aneesh Chopra, former Virginia Secretary of Technology and now Federal Chief Technology Officer, provides the opening keynote address and will discuss his views, functions, plans and priorities in using technology to drive change throughout government and society.

Jerry Mechling, Harvard School of Government, will provide a timely lunchtime keynote address on Leadership in Tough Times. In today’s economic climate, a critical decision is whether to hunker down or to use the crisis for game-changing innovations. Nationally known author, researcher and Harvard faculty member Mechling will discuss how to create a framework for IT leadership with a focus on developing an action agenda for the challenges ahead.

Helpful sessions provide guidance and collaboration on a number of topics pertinent to today's IT challenges. Topics will include:

Stimulus/Recovery Review
Legislator Panel: Challenges in Virginia
Cloud Computing
Security: Insider Threats and Outside Attacks
Continuity of Government Operations
Data Standardization and Governance

Economics of Customer Service
Social Networking and Government
Open Source and Free Stuff: Appropriate for Government?
Health IT: The Changes Ahead
Broadband across the Commonwealth

As a COVITS tradition during gubernatorial election years, both candidates for governor have been invited to speak.

Invitation from Governor Timothy M. Kaine

COVITS is the pre-eminent gathering of Virginia's public and private sector IT leaders to share ideas that will make Government 2.0 a reality. This year's theme of "Transparency, Participation and Collaboration" is an apt description of what we are trying to accomplish here in the Commonwealth. I welcome you to the 11^th annual COVITS and encourage you to make the most of this outstanding opportunity.

Special government, SWaM registration rate available

Government attendees and DMBE-certified SWaM vendors may register for COVITS at the special rate of $99. For full details, see the registration page.

About COVITS

Purpose

This event is for and about state and local government. The purpose of the event is to foster discussion and dialogue on the use of information technology as a strategic tool for managers, executives and policy makers.

Who Should Attend

If you influence or participate in technology decisions or implementations at any level, you will find benefit in attending.

Don't miss this opportunity to see the latest in digital government solutions, keep abreast of current policy issues and network with key government executives, technologists and industry specialists.

COVITS 2008 in review

Many thanks to all the speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and attendees for a successful 2008 conference.

Browse the 2008 COVITS Web site

See the winners of the 2008 Governor's Technology Awards

See photographs of the 2008 event