Edited By Mary Ellen Bradley

Forum '97 | Executive Seminar | October Board Meeting

Forum '97

Computer Technology Exposition & Symposium

Forum '97, a computer technology exposition and symposium, will take place October 21 & 22, 1997 at the Westcoast Tyee Hotel, Tumwater, WA from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. daily.

This is the eighteenth consecutive year that Forum, an Information Processing Management Associates (IPMA) sponsored event, has been held in the Olympia area. Attendees are primarily state and local government executives and information processing professionals. Forum '97 attendance is expected to be approximately 1,200 people for the two-day event.

Major information technology companies such as Microsoft, IBM, Hewlett Packard, Compaq, Novell, Informix, Dell Computers, Sybase, Bay Networks, Digital Equipment, IKON, Oracle, and Sun Systems will participate in the two-day event. Guest speakers will discuss topics such as electronic commerce, wireless internet, voice recognition, smart cards, geographic information systems integration, and multi-channel delivery of government services.

Keynote speakers Raju Rishi, Technical Manager for Strategic & Architectural Planning of Lucent Technologies, and Brian Wood, Vice President, State and Local Government Division of Dell Computer Corporation, will focus on the future of communication networks and how government can position itself to take advantage of emerging technologies.

In today's climate of taxpayer revolts and hostility toward government in general, the single most important thing that government can do is to restore faith in its ability to deliver quality services in a cost-effective manner. The IPMA Board of Directors hopes Forum '97 will stir the imaginations of state and local government leaders to the possibilities of technology as an enabler to better government.

—Dennis Laine

"If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything."

—Mark Twain

Don't Forget!!
IBM & Microsoft NT Strategies
November 6, 1997
9:00-12:00 A.M.
Aladdin Motor Inn
Lakeside 1 Room
900 South Capitol Way
Olympia, WA

Executive Seminar

"The reason I am at the Seminar is to get close to the people who have to deal with the issues," stated Representative Cathy Wolfe to the 1997 Executive Seminar attendees at Ocean Shores. She was one of seven speakers at a recent two-day technology conference for state government managers addressing issues from smart card technology to internet / intranet / extranet strategies.

Rep. Cathy Wolfe

The Seminar was attended by over 60 state technology managers from agencies and higher education within the State of Washington. The two day seminar (Sept. 24th through Sept.26th) was designed to promote networking on common issues that affect our systems professionals.

Although the weather was not the best, the seminar was rated very highly. This years' speakers included Representative and Information Services Board member Cathy Wolfe; Mats Nahlinder (Informix); Alyse Terhune (Garner Group), Mark Selleck (IBM), Bob McDowell (Microsoft), John Magnusson (Hewlett Packard) and Ken Farmer (Knowedge Based Consulting.

Al Bloomberg (L) and Joe Coogan (R)

Representative Wolfe led a spirited discussion on the major technology issues such as personnel hiring/retention, Year 2000, and communication. She stated it is important to make clear and concise recommendations to ISB members and legislators. She also called for a reduction in technology acronyms and jargon to help alleviate communication barriers with the stakeholder community.

Cathy Wolfe (C) exchanges ideas with Executive Seminar attendees.

Other topics included electronic commerce, industry trends and strategies, network computing, and better project management.

Judy Mahoric greets Seminar attendee.

Overall the Seminar was rated very high by the attendees and corporate sponsors.

Check out the IPMA homepage for more details about the Seminar at http://www.wln.com/~ipma/.

—Phil Grigg

October Board Meeting

Members Present: Dennis Laine, Al Bloomberg, Phil Coates, Phil Grigg, Mary Ellen Bradley, Darrell Riffe, Judy Schneider, Jim Albert, Bob Monn

The Board Meeting was called to order at 7:40 A.M., October 9, 1997, by Board Chair Al Bloomberg.

Report from the Chair:

The minutes from the September Board Meeting were approved as printed in the October Newsletter.

Treasurer's Report: Phil Coates presented the Treasurer's Report which was approved.

The following committee reports were made:

Business and Finance Committee: Jim Albert presented draft copies of the annual report to Board members and asked them to provide him with corrections and updates. Jim still needs the membership roster and a list of our corporate sponsors. Since the Board has voted to change the fiscal year to begin January 1, 1998, it was moved, seconded and passed to have the annual report cover 18 months this year. In following years, the report will be due each January. It was recommended that we have members review and comment on the report from the IPMA web site. The IPMA would publish an article in the newsletter directing members to use the web site to send e-mail comments. It was also suggested that we post a report on our current page to let members know that the report will be updated in January.

Jim also reported that he has asked Merrill Lynch to prepare a monthly report on our investments and he will give a quarterly update to the Board.

Communications Committee: Mary Ellen Bradley asked for Board approval to have flyers printed for the November 6th event to be included in the Newsletter, sent to IT managers and handed out at the Forum. The Board approved this expense. The Board also wants to look at the cost of printing the Newsletter masthead in color.

Executive Seminar Committee: Darrell Riffe reported that the Executive Seminar was a success. Most of the evaluations of speakers and facilities scored high. There was discussion on whether the event should be held at a different location. The committee will look at some options for next year.

Fall Forum: Dennis Laine gave the Board a final list of the corporate sponsors and companies that will have booths at Forum '97. The IPMA donated a room to the New Market Skills Center so that they can demonstrate their programs. The breakfast, Wednesday, October 23rd, has had a good response this year. Dennis has prepared a press release for the local paper.

Professional Development: Mary Ellen Bradley reported for Joe Coogan that the committee's first event is scheduled for November 6th at 9:00 A.M. It will be held at the Aladdin Motor Inn and will feature IBM and Microsoft discussing NT. Following the seminar, there will be a No Host Luncheon. These events are planned for every other month and the next will be held January 8th, 1998.

Nominating Committee: Darrell Riffe reported that his committee will begin its search for candidates interested in serving on the IPMA Board of Directors.

—Mary Ellen Bradley

IPMA, P.O. Box 1943, Olympia, WA 98507-1943