David Kerr, Director
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2009 Governor's Conference on Economic Development Workshops |
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Wednesday, September 9, 2009; 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Pre-Conference Sessions
Wednesday, September 9, 2009; 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Pre-Conference Sessions
Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Room: Sterling Studio 9
Workshop Title: Certified Sites
Presenters: Ann Perry, Redevelopment Finance Manager, DED; Joel McNutt, Project Manager, DED; JoAnn Dent, Environmental Specialist, DED
Workshop Description: This session is on the new the Certified Sites program. Panelists will discuss an overview of program, review process and a look at the sites certified to date. Communities will have the opportunity to ask questions and express ideas for the program.
Handouts/Materials:
Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Room: Regency A
Workshop Title: Economic Development 101
Presenter: Sharon Gulick, Director of University of Missouri Extension’s Community Economic and Entrepreneurial Development (ExCEED)
Workshop Description: This workshop will present a brief overview of the economic development process, focusing on key considerations for local economic development. Based on the day-long Fundamentals of Economic Development workshop, which covers the core concepts included in training courses attended by professional economic developers from across the country, this workshop is designed to provide an introduction to key foundational concepts of economic development and sources for assistance.
Handouts/Materials:
Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Room: Regency B
Workshop Title: Best Practices with Workkeys and the Missouri CRC
Presenters: Jim Duane, Director of Workforce Development, University of Missouri-St. Louis; Skip James, Senior Manager Employer Services, Full Employment Council; Jaydean Miller, Workforce Supervisor, Springfield Career Center; Emily Modlin, Supervisor, Kennett Career Center; Sherri Rhuems, Quality Assurance Coordinator, Southwest Missouri Workforce Investment Board
Workshop Description: Come learn how you can be more successful with WorkKeys and the Missouri Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) in your region with a roundtable discussion lead by representatives from the following Workforce Development Regions:
Southwest, Southeast, Kansas City and the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) answering questions posed by the attendees regarding best practices.
The second session of this workshop will focus on employers and profiling lead by panel members with a Q & A session.
Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Room: Regency C
Workshop Title: 2010 EPA Brownfields Job Training Grant Opportunities
Presenters: Bob Ricchards, Steve Kovac, Susan Klein, Alma Moreno-Lahm, Ina Square, U.S. EPA; Sabine Martin, Kansas State University, TAB Program
Workshop Description: The U.S. EPA
Region 7 Brownfields Team is hosting a half-day workshop for the 2010 EPA
Brownfields Grant competitions. The team will provide information about
the grants, and tips to improve your community’s proposal for funding.
Grants are available in several areas: Job Training grants (up to
$200,000) may be used to fund job training in environmental fields for
individuals who have been negatively impacted by brownfields in their
neighborhoods. Assessment grants (up to $200,000, or a coalition up to
$1,000,000), Cleanup grants (up to $200,000), and Revolving Loan Fund grants
(up to $1,000,000) may be used to address sites contaminated by petroleum and
hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. Brownfields are real
property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by
the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or
contaminant. Cleaning up and reinvesting in these properties protects the
environment, reduces blight, and takes development pressures off green spaces
and working lands.
Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Room: Regency E
Workshop Title: Understanding Regions
Presenters: Tony Brite, MERIC; Veronica Gielazauskas, MERIC; Sreedhar Upendram, MERIC
Workshop Description: We live and work in a global economy, but are also parts of progressively smaller regions, and need to understand our place within each. The session will discuss different types of regions, MERIC regional research, and useful tools, data, and techniques to analyze your own region.
Handouts/Materials:
Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Room: Sterling Studio 7
Workshop Title: How to Make Informed Decisions in Tough Economic Times
Presenter: Betty Brown, Research Analyst, MERIC
Workshop Description: This presentation will talk about the various tools that are available to students, educators, parents, job seekers, economic developers, and others, that will assist them in making informed career, educational, and economic decisions. An explanation of the content of the career tools will be discussed, along with information concerning the employment growth and decline by industry and occupations. Data will be presented to assist in evaluating those occupations that are projected by 2016 to be in high growth and high demand. The new Missouri Career Guide will be discussed, as well as the activities of the Public Outreach Partnership Group.
Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Room: Sterling Studio 9
Workshop Title: Location One
Presenter: Chrissy Buerck, MERIC
Workshop Description: LocationOne is a real-time online site selection system provided at no charge to communities and economic developers in Missouri. This session will highlight recent changes and additions to the website, as well as training on how to get started using LocationOne locally.
Handouts/Materials:
Thursday, September 10, 2009; 10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2009
Time: 10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Room: Regency A
Workshop Title: Community Initiatives Overview
Presenters: Heather Bradley-Geary, Trust Fund and Community Initiatives Manager
Workshop Description: This session will focus on funding for social services and homeless programs
Handouts/Materials:
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2009
Time: 10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Room: Regency B
Workshop Title: Regional Collaboration: Today and Beyond
Presenters: Scott Sattler, Manager, Business & Industry, Workforce Investment Board of Southeast Missouri; Janet Witter, WIRED Initiative Manager, Workforce Investment Board of Southeast Missouri; Clyde McQueen, President, Full Employment Council
Workshop Description: The leadership of the Missouri WIRED Initiatives has actively engaged the business sector, economic development community, and education system in its goal of taking a regional approach to developing a skilled workforce for the 21st century. Learn how you can leverage your resources and build partnerships across traditional boundary lines to bring about sustainable change.
Handouts/Materials:
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2009
Time: 10:15 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Room: Regency C
Workshop Title: Formula for Success
Presenter: Pat Gruber, Pat Gruber & Associates
Workshop Description: Those who are most successful have a clear focus on what they want and they know what they have to do to get it. In this informative and interactive session, we’ll show YOU how to define what you want and how to get it. You’ll come away with good tools you can use for setting and achieving goals that can be used for everything from daily projects to career development.
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2009
Time: 10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Room: Regency D
Workshop Title: Priority of Service for Veterans
Presenter: Rodney Henry, Veterans Coordinator, Missouri Division of Workforce Development
Workshop Description: The recent Priority of Service regulations impact how we do business. Rodney Henry will host a discussion about Priority of Service and how it is incorporated into our state and local policies. Topics will provide clear strategies for providing veterans and eligible spouses of veterans with the highest quality of service at every phase of services offered. This presentation will provide One-Stops with knowledge of the elements of Priority of Service, eligibility and the new data that must be collected and reported.
Handouts/Materials:
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2009
Time: 10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Room: Regency E
Workshop Title: Section 3 Overview
Presenters: Mike Harris, E.M. Harris Construction Co.; Robert Ring, Bear Land Development/Fairway Construction Co.; Patrick Werner, Double Diamond construction and Development Co.; Micah Kubic, Howard University
Workshop Description: Section 3 is a HUD regulation that is applicable to developments receiving HOME funds for rehab and/or construction. Listen to three developers share their successes in awarding contracts to Section 3-eligible subcontractors.
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2009
Time: 10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Room: Regency F
Workshop Title: Work-Life Balance Doesn’t Have to be an Illusion
Presenter: Dr. Nancy Wegge, Owner, Positive Impact
Workshop Description: If we work hard enough, we imagine, we can have anything - and therefore everything. We are looking for the magic solution. The magic is you. You are in control of the ongoing challenge to reduce stress and maintain harmony in key areas of your life. This magical and interactive program focuses on:
1. Defining success, at work and outside work
2. Overcoming guilt by embracing the joys of an unbalanced life
3. Setting priorities and making trade offs
4. Learning techniques to make work and life happen on your terms
Each session attendee will receive a complimentary poster, “The Magic of Life Balance.”
Thursday, September 10, 2009; 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2009
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Room: Regency A
Workshop Title: Creating Jobs Through Entrepreneurs
Presenters: Chris Bouchard, Associate State Director, Missouri Small Business and Technology Development Centers; Victoria Gonzalez, CEO, Nidus Center for Scientific Enterprise; Jason Hall, Executive Director, Missouri Technology Corporation; Scott Sattler, Manager, Business & Industry, Workforce Investment Board of Southwest Missouri; Anthony N. Harris, MD,MBA, Marketing & Business Development, Intellectual Property Administration, University of Missouri-Columbia
Workshop Description: Entrepreneurs and the small businesses they run produce jobs at a pace that outperforms any other sector in the economy. Learn why entrepreneurship is an important component of an economic development strategy. Entrepreneurship can be used by displaced workers to replace their jobs.
Handouts/Materials:
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2009
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Room: Regency B
Workshop Title: Regional Collaboration Center: Innovative Model for Dislocated Workers
Presenters: Julie Gibson, Director, Missouri Division of Workforce Development; Rod Nunn, Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Community Development, St. Louis Community College; Joe Ruzicka, Program Manager, Employment and Training Center, St. Louis Community College; Gordon Douglas, Supervisor, Fenton Career Center; Sally Sowards, Labor Liaison, United Auto Workers Labor Employment & Training Corporation
Workshop Description: The Missouri Division of Workforce Development, St. Louis Community College and local Workforce Investment Boards have come together to create an innovative model for delivering employment and training services to dislocated workers from Chrysler and its suppliers. The Regional Collaboration Center is envisioned as the primary place to which laid-off automotive workers can turn to re-create themselves for a new career in high-growth, high-wage industries and occupations that drive the St. Louis regional economy. The facility has a full menu of self-service career resources that you will find in any Missouri Career Center, but that’s where the comparisons end. This high-tech, high-touch facility features:
- On-site training labs well suited for accelerated technical training;
- A state-of-the-art, self-directed, E-learning lab with access to Microsoft Elevate America resources, STLCC’s on-line industry training offerings and the Alchemy SISTEM catalogue;
- BounceBack networking events to provide opportunities to better connect and support automotive workers and their potential employers; and
- Well-trained workforce professionals armed with the in-depth assessment and career “blueprinting” tools and fully cross-trained on all federal and state employment and training programs.
Handouts/Materials:
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2009
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Room: Regency C
Workshop Title: ARRA Activities
Presenters: Sallie Hemenway, Director, Business and Community Services; Julie Gibson, Director, Division of Workforce Development; Michael Donovan, Program Specialist, Missouri Arts Council; Pete Ramsel, Executive Director, Missouri Housing Development Commission
Workshop Description: Appropriate staff from each DED division will participate on a panel and present: a)on the funding their division received, b)what it was to be used for, c)whether it was new or an increase to an existing program/formula or competitive/any special rules, d)how they distributed it, and e)what they did with it.
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2009
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Room: Regency D
Workshop Title: Re-engaging Talent in the Emerging Economy: St. Louis Bounces Back
Presenters: Blair Forlaw, Director, Greater St. Louis Works, The Talent Initiative of the St. Louis RCGA; Tracy Hawkins, Human Resource Administrator, Sister of Mercy Health System; Duane Powell, Network Architect/Systems Engineer, Member of the Bounce Back St. Louis network; Jeffrey Villmer, President, St. Louis Chapter, Society for Information Management
Workshop Description: Come hear the workers’ view of the recession; the business view of the recession; and Re-engagement: The Essential Elements of Bounce Back; Why Bounce Back is important; and a roundtable dialogue / Q & A from people who have been a part of Bounce Back.
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2009
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Room: Regency E
Workshop Title: Green Opportunity: A Clean Energy Economy for Missouri’s Future
Presenters: Mary Bruton, Workforce Research Manager, Missouri Economic Research Information Center (MERIC); Judy McQuitty, Policy Coordinator, Division of Workforce Development; Dru Buntin, Director of Government Affairs, Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Workshop Description: The rise of clean and renewable resource industries is reflected in many of the nation’s business and governmental activities. This so-called “Green Economy” is projected to play a major role in Missouri’s future, both in terms of economic prosperity and job creation. Come learn about two new reports—the statewide/regional Green Jobs Survey from Missouri’s Economic Research Information Center and Green: Jobs, Industries, Economy from Missouri’s Division of Workforce Development—that show how relevant the Green Economy is for what we do as economic practitioners. And learn what the Department of Natural Resources are doing with “green opportunities”.
Handouts/Materials:
- Green Jobs Presentation (Powerpoint)
- Resources for Green Jobs
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2009
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Room: Regency F
Workshop Title: Cost Certification
Presenters: Gary Meyer, MHDC Tax Credit Administrator; Lorenzo Rice, MHDC HOME Administrator
Workshop Description: MHDC staff has recently implemented revisions to owner and contractor cost certification forms. This session provides an opportunity to be introduced to the new forms and concepts.
Thursday, September 10, 2009; 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2009
Time: 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Room: Regency A
Workshop Title: Linking Services to Dislocated Workers
Presenters: Don Rahm, Workforce Development Specialist IV, Missouri Division of Workforce Development; Cheryl Svee, Federal Project Officer, U.S. Department of Labor-Employment and Training Administration
Workshop Description: Laid off workers in Missouri are eligible for re-employment and training assistance through three federally-funded programs. They include the Workforce Investment Act, Dislocated Worker Program (WIA DW), the Workforce Investment Act National Emergency Grants (NEG’S), and the Trade and Globalization Adjustment Assistance Act of 2009 (TGAA). This session will focus on identifying the key elements of the eligibility criteria through assessing the laid off workers’ employment history and ensuring they receive the assistance they are eligible to receive.
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2009
Time: 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Room: Regency B
Workshop Title: Green Building
Presenters: Moderator: Kathryn Watts, MHDC government affairs liaison; Panelists: Representatives of Enterprise Green Communities, National Association of Home Builders and LEED
Workshop Description: Green building is one of the most talked-about innovations in affordable housing construction today. Hear the latest information about green building rating systems, certifications and potential sources of funding for sustainable building. Green building is one of the most talked-about innovations in affordable housing construction today. Hear the latest information about green building rating systems, certifications and potential sources of funding for sustainable building. Green building is one of the most talked-about innovations in affordable housing construction today.
Hear the latest information about green building rating systems, certifications and potential sources of funding for sustainable building.
Handouts/Materials:
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2009
Time: 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Room: Regency C
Workshop Title: The NGM Study: Charting the Course of Manufacturing in Missouri
Presenter: Mary Davis, President & Chief Executive Officer of Missouri Enterprise
Workshop Description: The groundbreaking Next Generation Manufacturing Study, sponsored by the American Small Manufacturers Coalition and Missouri Enterprise, was conducted in February – April 2009 and measures the readiness of small- and medium-size manufacturers against a carefully selected set of key strategies and industry best practices.
This workshop will show how companies across the country and in Missouri rate in Customer-Focused Innovation; Systemic Continuous Improvement; Advanced Talent Management; Global Engagement; Extended Enterprise Management; and Sustainable Product and Process Development, strategies essential for global competitiveness in the next five years and beyond.
It will explore how the Next Generation Manufacturing Strategies can be a powerful catalyst for success and present manufacturing companies with great opportunities for growth in the coming decade, if they fully embrace these strategies and implement best practices to support them, and achieve world class status in a select few of these strategies and parity with key competitors in the others.
This workshop will be of great interest to manufacturers, economic developers, community leaders and public officials.
Handouts/Materials:
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2009
Time: 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Room: Regency D
Workshop Title: How do Industrial and Commercial Rate Payers Address Rising Energy Costs During Times of Economic Stress?
Presenters: Chairman Robert M. Clayton III, Missouri PSC, moderator; Keith Gregston, Noranda Aluminum; Angie Beehler, Wal-Mart; Warren Wood, MEDA, Lena Mantle, PSC Staff; Ryan Kind, Office of Public Counsel
Workshop Description: This workshop will explore the steps that can be taken to address rising energy costs from the perspective of economic development. Industry representatives will address ways to reduce energy usage and energy costs, while maintaining necessary services/production through efforts to improve efficiency and take advantage of demand response opportunities. Representatives from the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Office of Public Counsel (OPC) will address other issues on energy costs for commercial and industrial customers from the view of rate case
participation, the design of utility rates, economic development tariffs, long-term utility planning, incentives for energy efficiency and demand response, and how the OPC and PSC staff address economic development issues in utility regulation.
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2009
Time: 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Room: Regency E
Workshop Title: Just-In-Time Digital Workforce Solutions
Presenter: Jasen Jones, Executive Director, Southwest Region Workforce Investment Board
Workshop Description: The workforce system, integrated with economic development, helps Missouri Career Centers provide demand-driven solutions for businesses and net real results in workforce productivity. Come discover the solutions under development across southwest Missouri, as well as leading-edge trends emerging in top-producing regions nationwide. Lower cost, higher volume, and higher impact are the benchmarks for these products that leverage consumer broadband penetration across the workforce pipeline of recruitment, screening, gap training, and retention.
Handouts/Materials:
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2009
Time: 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Room: Regency F
Workshop Title: The Missouri Reentry Process
Presenter: Louisa Bolinger, Reentry Coordinator, Missouri Department of Corrections
Workshop Description: A strong collaborative partnership has been established between the Missouri Department of Corrections and the Division of Economic Development to ensure offenders on supervision are provided the tools to assist them in being gainfully employed. This presentation will share strategies designed with partnerships to ensure offenders are prepared to be productive citizens in our communities.
Handouts/Materials:
Friday, September 11, 2009; 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Date: Friday, September 11, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Room: Grand Ballroom
Workshop Title: Moving Forward Together: 2009 Economic Development Legislative Review
Presenters: President Pro Tem Charlie Shields (invited); Senate Minority Leader Victor Callahan; Speaker Ron Richard (invited); House Minority Leader Paul LeVota; Senator John Greisheimer; Representative Timothy Flook; Representative Sam Komo
Workshop Description: In 2009, the Missouri legislature overwhelmingly and in a bipartisan manner passed an extremely important economic development bill; one of Governor Jay Nixon’s top legislative priorities. This bill provides critical resources to help businesses create new jobs, expand their operations and train the workers they need to fill the jobs of tomorrow. Join Missouri’s top economic development legislative leaders for a discussion of the jobs bill and how we will continue to move Missouri’s economy forward.
Date: Friday, September 11, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Room: Regency A
Workshop Title: P-20 Business/Education Partnerships: Opportunities for Accelerating Economic Growth Across Missouri
Presenters: Dr. Chris Nicastro, Commissioner of Education, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; Dr. Dave Liechti, President, Missouri State Board of Education; Dr. Karen Bartz, Chair, Missouri Coordinating Board for Early Childhood; Dr. Robert Stein, Commissioner, Missouri Department of Higher Education
Workshop Description: The Missouri P-20 Council will briefly describe its history and vision for state planning and enhanced coordination to produce a more globally competitive Missouri workforce. Participants will be encouraged to discuss the Council’s vision for improved educational attainment, job creation, and quality of life. In addition, strategic actions will be identified for a public agenda, integrating education and workforce development.
Handouts/Materials:
- P-20 Brochure
- DESE
- CBEC: EARLY CHILDHOOD – FIRST STEP IN P-20 SYSTEM
- Coordinating Board for Higher Education
Date: Friday, September 11, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Room: Regency B
Workshop Title: WorkKeys from an Employer’s Point of View
Presenters: Jim Duane, Director of Workforce Development, University of Missouri-St. Louis; Micky Trost, Training Specialist, Ingersoll Rand/Hussmann Corporation; Bryan Herrick, Director of Business and Community Development, Jefferson College; Don Bertram, East Central College; Pauwels Inc.
Workshop Description: Learn how the WorkKeys system is being implemented by businesses today. Employers will share their experiences using WorkKeys for employee selection and development programs. This session will provide a unique perspective for attendees who wish to learn more about what employers need from job candidates.
Handouts/Materials:
Date: Friday, September 11, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Room: Regency C
Workshop Title: Recruit, Retain, Grow! – Finding the Resource to Support Business Development in your Community
Presenter: Maria Meyers, Network Builder, MOSourceLink
Workshop Description: Learn about the many resources available in Missouri to assist small businesses. From manufacturing to agriculture to plant sciences to retail, there are resources to help people start and grow enterprises. This interactive session will introduce you to resources and get you connected to people who can help you solve business challenges right now. You will leave with at least one contact who can help you assist a business in your community today, and many connections for the future.
Date: Friday, September 11, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Room: Regency D
Workshop Title: The Missouri Energy Workforce Consortium
Presenters: Betsy Finnegan, Workforce Programs Lead- Talent Acquisition, AmerenUE; Gayla Neumeyer, University of Missouri, Research Reactor Center
Workshop Description: This workshop features details about the recently formed Missouri Energy Workforce Consortium – Its mission is to engage the energy industry, education, and government in strategic, unified, and results-oriented efforts to ensure a qualified and skilled workforce that is able to meet the energy needs of the State of Missouri.
Handouts/Materials:
Date: Friday, September 11, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Room: Regency E
Workshop Title: Milking the Hollywood Cash Cow: How to Recruit Movies (and Fame and Fortune)
Presenters: Jerry Jones, Director, Missouri Film Commission; Andrea Sporcic, Assistant Director, Missouri Film Commission
Workshop Description: A film or television production brings big bucks and lots of (free!) positive press to your community. This workshop will show the benefits of two 2009 productions in communities large (St. Louis: Up in the Air with George Clooney) and small (Branson, Forsythe, Rockaway Beach: Winter’s Bone), and what your community can do to attract productions. You’ll learn how to scout locations, build a photo database, find local resources that producers need, market your community to the motion media industry, and more.
Date: Friday, September 11, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Room: Regency F
Workshop Title: Diversity Partners Improve $ Economic Development
Presenters: Elizabeth D. Birks, Office of Supplier & Workforce Diversity; Alan Green, Office of Supplier & Workforce Diversity; Jim Webb, St. Louis Minority Business Council; Ginny Campbell, National Association of Women Business Owners; Jorge Riopedre, St. Louis Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Eddie Davis, Black Leadership Roundtable; Keith Savage, Chief Minority Business Advocate; Corporate Guest TBD
Workshop Description: The Office of Supplier and Workforce Diversity (OSWD) will share its vision for promoting a diversified workforce within state government and the procurement process. Learn how diversifying your workplace can improve the economic development and prosperity of your program or project. Gain strategic knowledge and resources from industry experts. This session will also include success stories from companies that have benefitted from the incorporation of diverse-focused programs.