Annual Workforce Technology Conference

2010 Agenda

*This agenda is subject to change.

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Monday, June 7th

9:00am - 11:45am
Pre-Conference Training
John Marks, Dan Fitzgerald – Geographic Solutions
Training on Version 10.05. See training agenda for details.
12:00pm - 1:30pm
Lunch On Your Own
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Continued Training
John Marks, Dan Fitzgerald – Geographic Solutions
A continuation of Version 10.05 training.

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Tuesday, June 8th

8:00am - 9:00am
Registration / Complimentary Breakfast
Join us for a complimentary continental breakfast before the conference opening.
9:00am - 9:15am
Opening
Michael Crosslin – Geographic Solutions
Conference overview and information about the schedule and activities.
9:15am - 9:45am
Welcome
George N. Cretekos – Councilmember Clearwater City Council
Welcome conference attendees to Clearwater Beach.
9:45am - 10:15am
Geographic Solutions Update: A Year in Review
Deane Toler – Geographic Solutions
A review of significant events at Geographic Solutions since the last conference.
10:15am - 10:30am
Break
10:30am - 11:30am
Department of Labor Update
Helen Parker – U.S. Department of Labor
An update on DOL priorities including the latest on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, WISPR, WIA, Wagner Peyser, TAA and LMI.
11:30am - 1:00pm
Complimentary Lunch
Join us for a complimentary lunch overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.
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 11 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 - 3:40pm
GUS - Geographic Solutions Unemployment System (Operation Screaming Mongoose)
Buddy Edwards, Jimmy Jones – Geographic Solutions
Our brand new unemployment benefits module will be demonstrated for the very first time!
Latest Enhancements to Virtual LMI
Jason Hawker, Jason Webb – Geographic Solutions
A review of the latest LMI (Labor Market System) enhancements.
3:45pm - 4:45pm
Introduction to the New Individual Fund Tracking (IFT) Module
Lois Jacobs, Kim Thomas – Geographic Solutions
Overview of the rewritten, v11.0 IFT module. Redesigned pages, streamlined operations and new functionality will be highlighted.
The OneStop Efficiency Initiative
Tim Duffy, David Colon – Geographic Solutions
This presentation will highlight best practices from our clients across the country using Virtual OneStop modules to streamline service delivery. We will also show some of the new technology available to make one-stop centers more efficient.
Real Time LMI
Jason Webb, Jason Hawker, Bill Megargel – Geographic Solutions
A review of how Geographic Solutions has extended the LMI module offerings to include other data sources and integrate LMI into other current product interfaces.
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Complimentary Opening Reception
Network with your fellow attendees while taking in spectacular views of Clearwater Beach. Includes a multi-media presentation by Paul Toomey and Deane Toler of their recent mountain bike trip across Northern England to raise funds for the Treasures of Africa Children's Home in Tanzania.

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Wednesday, June 9th

8:00am - 8:30am
Complimentary Breakfast
Join us for a complimentary continental breakfast before the sessions.
8:30am - 10:00am
Innovative Approaches to Workforce Development from Across the Nation
John Chamberlin – Law Offices of John Chamberlin
We are still experiencing the worst recession since the 1930's. There are many signs of recovery, but unemployment remains sky high, One-Stop Career Centers are chock full of increasingly desperate job seekers and supplemental ARRA funding will run out in PY 2010. State and local governments are experiencing the worst budget shortfalls in history. This session will explore innovative strategies for delivering workforce services during the Great Recession.
10:00am - 10:15am
Break
10:15am - 11:10am
Federal Reporting and ARRA
Pam Johnson, Kim Thomas – Geographic Solutions
Review of all changes implemented for Wagner Peyser, Workforce Investment Act and ARRA over the past year. Discover next steps related to continued work for these reporting areas, along with lessons learned. Guidance of how all the reporting categories and actual reports work together to create the necessary federal report.
Employer Services: New Functionality for Employers
Sherril Claus, Robert Black – Geographic Solutions
A review and demonstration of enhancements to job orders, candidate views, new capabilities for multiple job uploads, external candidate views and mass import of job orders plus brand new multiemployer user functionality in version 11.
America's Labor Market Analyzer: LMI Across State Lines
Jason Hawker, Jason Webb, Bill Megargel, Levi Richards – Geographic Solutions
A system review of features and services that assist analysts who would like to view economic and labor market information across state lines or from a local or national perspective.
11:15am - 12:00pm
Re-Employment Initiatives: Progress with UI Interfaces
Tim Himes – Geographic Solutions
Kelly Ebey – LA Workforce Commission
A look at new UI web services initiatives designed to support near real time data exchange for claimant registration/update along with work history and resume information deposits/updates.
Innovative Regional Labor Exchange Review
Andrew Moser – Maryland DLLR
Sherril Claus – Geographic Solutions
An overview of best practices for linking Green Jobs labor exchange, research and LMI data within the Mid Atlantic Region (DC, Maryland and Virginia) that is being funded by an ARRA Green Jobs Grant.
Overview of Training Providers and Program Functionality
Jason Hawker, Sandy Skidgell – Geographic Solutions
A review of the CRS system now rebranded as Provider Services.
12:00pm - 1:30pm
Awards Luncheon
Waters Edge Ballroom, Clearwater Beach Hilton
1:30pm - 2:10pm
The Latest From ALISON For Online Training
Mike Feerick – ALISON
A review of the integration of free ALISON training and Virtual OneStop. Discover the latest training curriculum available online.
Targeted Portals
Sherril Claus – Geographic Solutions
An update on the microportal pilot projects presented by Florida at the 2009 conference that spotlights how states are using this functionality to target specific populations (e.g. older workers, veterans), economic initiatives (e.g. green jobs) and unique circumstances and projects.
Employer Database Details
Jim Winner – InfoGroup
 A discussion of what's new with infoGroup including an overview of the latest information on the Employer Database.
2:15pm - 3:00pm
A New Perspective on Recruitment and Hiring Using Virtual OneStop
Melanie Arthur – Greg Newton Associates
Recruitment and Hiring Has Changed! Many things have impacted hiring practices: the economy, technology, competition for most qualified...and more. Learn to use state-of-the-art VOS applications to help your staff - and therefore your job seekers - be on the cutting edge.
Geographic Solutions' Community Forum Functionality and Best Practices
James Curran, Lisa Reitz – Geographic Solutions
An overview of the Virtual Community Forum. Learn how to create posts and comments, upload files, search for content and other tips.
Green Jobs and LMI, Lessons Learned
Ed Trumbull – MARC Green Consortium
Congress and the Administration have invested billions into "green" jobs. This presentation will describe early lessons learned regarding the improvement of "green" job labor market information.
3:00pm - 3:15pm
Break
3:15pm - 4:00pm
Trade Act: Updates to the Program and TAPR Report
Pam Johnson – Geographic Solutions
Review of all changes implemented for the Trade Reauthorization within the current TAA Forms within the Virtual OneStop System. TAPR Review of issues and next steps related to TAPR warnings that change category beginning October 1, 2010. Various next phases of Trade that we are working on based upon current change orders and enhancement requests we've received.
Job Spidering Data Quality
Bill Megargel – Geographic Solutions
Data quality challenge in job spidering from both a job seeker and an LMI point of view.
Security and Network Issues
Tim Himes, Jeff Metcalfe – Geographic Solutions
A review of hosted demands and planned Geographic Solutions infrastructure upgrades to support them. Also includes a review of a recently completed security assessment activities and planned SAS 70 audit preparations.
4:00pm - 5:00pm
Multi-Topic Round Table Discussion
Multiple Guest Speakers
Members of the panel will discuss current topics and events such as how to work through and cope with a natural disaster, how Web 2.0 and social networking has impacted workforce development, etc.
6:30pm - 9:30pm
Complimentary Reception and Dinner
Join fellow conference attendees for a reception and dinner at the residence of Paul Toomey. Dress code is casual and transportation from the conference will be provided.

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Thursday, June 10th

8:00am - 8:30am
Complimentary Breakfast
Join us for a complimentary continental breakfast before the sessions.
8:30am - 9:25am
Washington Update
Ed Trumbull – MARC Green Consortium
Insights on current government affairs and how it impacts workforce practitioners.
9:30am - 10:30am
Reinvigorating On-the-Job-Training
John Chamberlin – Law Offices of John Chamberlin
Most unemployed customers are not going back to school for long term, intensive retraining. They often lack basic skills and the money to survive while in school. Most dislocated workers also want to work. This session will explore the best ways to jumpstart your OJT program and to get the most for your training budget. We will also discuss the "ins and outs" of paid internships for adults, dislocated workers and older youth.
The Learning Center: Online Training Videos
Bill Herrmann, John Marks, Dan Fitzgerald – Geographic Solutions
A review and demonstration of our online self-paced tutorial videos designed to give individuals, employers, and staff better insight into the functionality of Virtual OneStop. Learn about other online video initiatives in the works.
WID – DataLoader Version 2
Jason Hawker, Jason Webb – Geographic Solutions
A review of the newly revised DataLoader version II functionality and features.
10:30am - 10:45am
Break
10:45am - 12:00pm
New Reporting Options
Robert Black, Ray Horner, Amanda Lacey, Sharon Richards – Geographic Solutions
Learn about all of the new reporting options in the upcoming release. This session will cover enhancements to existing reports, New Reports, Dashboard and Trend Reporting, Data Dictionary, Export Capabilities and introduce our new reporting platform.
Overview of the Deployment Process
Tim Himes, Del Robinson – Geographic Solutions
A review the latest processes and procedures used to maintain and enhance your system. We will discuss the similarities and differences in Maintenance, Upgrade, Go Live and Stabilization Events.
Future LMI Enhancements
Paul Toomey, Jason Hawker, Jason Webb – Geographic Solutions
A group discussion with attendees and Geographic Solutions staff members. Vote for the enhancements you would like to see in the next version of VirtualLMI.
12:00pm - 1:15pm
Complimentary Brown Bag Lunch
Brown bag working lunches. Topics and locations will be announced at the morning break. You may sign up for sessions by using the sign-up sheets at the registration table. Please sign up by the end of Wednesday's sessions.
1:15pm - 2:15pm
Future Enhancements
Paul Toomey, Michael Crosslin – Geographic Solutions
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 and Geographic Solutions staff members for a friendly game of golf.

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Friday, June 11th

By Appointment
Meet with Geographic Solutions Staff
Meet one-on-one with Geographic Solutions staff. Request hour-long meetings with staff members by using the sign-up sheets at registration. Meetings are limited and sign up is first come, first serve. Sign-up sheets will be removed at the end of Tuesday's sessions. Transportation is available.

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

*This agenda is subject to change.

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