GovernmentVAR Gears Up for State and Local Roadshows

On the tail of the successful XChange Government Integrator event, CMP Channel will host three State and Local Government Roadshows that provide solution providers with the education and networking opportunities needed to tackle this challenging market. Headlining each of the events will be keynotes from top state technology officials that provide solution providers with insight into the IT challenges facing government agencies and trends that influence technology buys.

The first roadshow will take place in Sacramento, Calif. on October 11, and will include a keynote address from state CIO Clark Kelso. Beyond driving IT policy and initiatives in California, Kelso helped elevate the state CIO to a cabinet-level position. With the extra muscle, he consolidated the state's two data centers into the Department of Technology Services, completed an enterprise architecture framework, and initiated a statewide integrated financial and administrative system.

The second roadshow, taking place in Austin, Texas, on October 24, will feature a keynote from Brian Rawson, the state's chief technology officer and executive director for the Department of Information Resources (DIR). Rawson touts more than 22 years of experience in IT management, executive-level management, and leadership positions, and spent some time in the channel, working for a government consulting firm.

The third roadshow will take place on October 6 just outside of Chicago in Oak Brook, Ill. Acting CIO Doug Kasamis will keynote, providing insights from his central role with Illinois Bureau of Communication and Computer Services. In his role, Kasamis has been a driving force behind the state's planning, procurement, management, maintenance, and delivery of voice, data, wireless, video, Internet, and telecommunications services to agencies.

Beyond keynotes, each roadshow will feature general sessions from editors of GovernmentVAR, a vendor public sector address, concurrent sessions that delve into state and local government issues, a solutions pavilion and ample mingling opportunities.

More information about the State and Local Roadshows can be found at the CMP XChange Web site, www.cmpxchange.com.