2008 Conference Planning is Underway

David Aber, Ph.D

I would like to introduce a new feature to the COE NewsNet. We will use this area to feature updates on our progress toward designing an Annual Conference and Technifair program. We would like to Name this Section “Conference COE-mmunicator”.

We have started planning toward the COE 2008 Annual Conference & Technifair in Orlando. But just who is WE? 

YOUR conference is designed by a Conference Planning Committee and host of volunteers. The Conference Planning Committee is headed up by COE Director – David Aber (daber@us.ibm.com). 

Members include:
Event Planner - Greg Premetz (premegr@voughtaircraft.com),
Education and Training Director - Keith Horton (khorton@nordam.com),
Process Interest Committee – Gary Hornyak (ghornyak@us.ibm.com),
Development Planning Council – Jim Strawn (jstrawn@cessna.textron.com),
Advisor – Bill Abramson (w_abramson@verizon.net),
COE HQ Staffers: Jennifer Sullivan (jsullivan@coe.org),
Bobie Chanthavong (bchanthavong@coe.org)
Tracy Kuechl (tkuechl@coe.org)
COE Founding Partners:
IBM – Jackie Murphy (jacquel@us.ibm.com)
Dassault Systèmes – Kristin Montbleau (kristin.montbleau@matrixone.com)

The approach we are taking to the 2008 Annual Conference is to develop the Conference Grid specific for the venue at the Dolphin property in Orlando. The grid then guides conference development by identifying the session types, tracks, and time allocation. We are now beginning working on General Sessions with a key note topic and speaker.  We are also identifying placement of the Development Planning Council Sessions. Process Interest Committee Breakout sessions and COE University Training will be allocated in the grid shortly.  The Conference Planning Grid is then supported by a Conference Planning Schedule with all significant milestones mapped to the schedule.

The Conference Planning Team is formulating strategy for growth in the Annual Conference Program. We have many exciting initiatives that we will be communicating each month in COE NewsNet. They are also reviewing your comments and survey results from our 2007 Conference.  Please forward any comments to the committee members.