Page 44 - GCN, May 2016

SPONSORED CONTENT
The opening keynote on June 9 features two of America’s most recognized heroes, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Capt. Mark Kelly, a combat pilot in Iraq and an astronaut on four space shuttle missions.
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ACQUIREshow.com | June 8-9 | Register Now!
But even if the federal government could develop a perfect acquisition process, it could not guarantee the success of government programs. That is because there are so many other factors involved.
The ACQUIRE Conference & EXPO, being held June
8 and 9 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., reflects this reality. Yes, acquisition
is an important component of the event, as the title suggests. But the content—from keynote speeches and C-level plenary panels to the break-out training sessions— addresses the entire program lifecycle, from developing program requirements and managing procurements to deploying, managing, and using systems.
ACQUIRE offers a unique opportunity to bring together everyone involved in making a program a success.
During the morning keynotes and plenary panels, thought-leaders from around the community will
offer insights into some of the toughest challenges agencies face (p. 3). During the afternoon, attendees can choose sessions from among six tracks: Information technology, professional services, office management, project management, talent management and, yes, acquisition management (see pp. 4-5). Attendees will
receive Continuing Professional Educational credits for participating in ACQUIRE training courses.
Still, that is only part of the story. As any leader can attest, a program has a much better chance of succeeding when employees not only are well-trained but also motivated, or even inspired. ACQUIRE provides numerous opportunities for employees to focus on their personal well-being and professional development.
The opening keynote on June 9 features two
of America’s most recognized heroes, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Capt. Mark Kelly, a combat pilot in Iraq and an astronaut on four space shuttle missions. Their lives changed on January 8, 2011, when an assassination attempt was made on Giffords’ life. Together, they will discuss what it takes to transform a tragedy into an endeavor to succeed.
Those looking to jumpstart their creativity and problem- solving abilities should check out FCW Bookshelf LIVE!, featuring presentations and book-signings by renowned authors of bestselling books on management, leadership and the broader implications of emerging tech (see p. 6).
Finally, educational clinics in the Happy Fed Pavilion will offer insights on issues related to career, pay, benefits, financial planning and retirement. The Happy Fed Pavilion, part of the show floor, also will feature numerous guest- speakers, including Pamela Meyer, PhD, author of “The Agility Shift: Creating Agile and Effective Leaders, Teams and Organizations.”
ACQUIRE Gets Down to Business
The ACQUIRE show recognizes the importance of industry vendors in making government programs a success.
The Professional Services Council, which represents the government technology and professional services industry, is a founding partner of ACQUIRE. During the two-day event, PSC will host a number of key plenary sessions, including a presentation on its annual survey on acquisition policy. This special report draws on personal member- conducted interviews of federal CIOs and other senior government officials throughout the federal government to get an understanding of their concerns and priorities.
Also look for the Washington Technology Industry Days at ACQUIRE. These sessions will provide small businesses with an inside edge on the evolving business prospects at major civilian and defense agencies. In each small business intensive session, leading agency officials will describe their priorities, buying habits and specific contracts.
Finally, the Small Business Administration will offer sessions focused on helping government and industry alike to navigate the federal small business landscape.
ACQUIRE 2016 / CONFERENCE & EXPO