The Best Government Conferences of 2020 [COVID-19 UPDATE]

A note about this update: This is an unusual time to be picking the best government conferences to attend. The spread of a coronavirus disease, called COVID-19, has raised concerns about large, crowded events. When you make plans, be sure to check event cancellation policies, follow CDC guidance on preventing the spread of COVID-19, and stay home if you are sick.

As we updated this list, we discovered many organizers of events are assessing risk, monitoring the situation, and making changes to prevent the spread of the disease. Some employers have temporarily banned nonessential employee travel, while some municipalities have asked businesses to not hold large gatherings. Many springtime events have been canceled, postponed, or changed to virtual, while most events later in the year are still happening as of the article publication date (last update: March 16, 8:30pm PT).

If an event organizer has shared COVID-19 news by the article publication date, we’ve included it below. We may update this list periodically. 

This is the sixth year we’ve made this list for you. Here, you’ll find brand new trainings, symposia, summits, forums, expos, seminars, workshops, conventions and conferences worth checking out, as well as established events that might be new to you. If you work in federal, state or local government, you’ll discover events worth checking out.

This list of the best government conferences will let you plan ahead and advocate for those precious professional development dollars. We’ve dug deep to find the dates for as many events as we can to help you have a great 2020. And, if you can’t attend an event this year, since most of these events are annual, keep it on your radar for 2021.

As a bonus for the social media savvy, the listings include event hashtags, when available, for those who can’t attend but want to participate in the virtual conversations.

January

National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE) Annual Conference
January 6 – 9, 2020 | Washington, D.C. | #NCSE2020
The NSCE conference engages more than 800 leaders from the sciences, education, government, policy, business and civil society to foster a dialogue across these sectors on environmental policy-making and decision-making with the use of science. The program includes presentations by experts and sessions that spotlight new research, innovation and the power of collaboration through partnership.

Association of Government Accountants (AGA) Financial Systems Summit (FSS)
January 9, 2020 | Washington, D.C. or virtual
The FSS unites government leaders and industry experts to discuss how to improve government services through systems modernization in a budget-constrained environment. Sessions will highlight CIO/CFO priorities, agile, shared services, cybersecurity and emerging technologies.

February

Public Sector CIO Academy: California
February 5 – 6, 2020 | Sacramento, CA | #govtechlive
If you can score a spot at this invitation-only event, you’ll meet C-level professionals addressing the most important policy, management and leadership issues surrounding the future of digital government and the role of the public sector CIO in the state of California. It’s developed by and for government by Government Technology, which hosts other events around the country.

AcademyHealth National Health Policy Conference (NHPC)
February 10 – 11, 2020 | Washington, D.C. | #NHPC20
The NHPC brings together health care decision-makers, policy experts, advocates, consumers, patients, researchers and leaders from the public and private sectors to share the latest evidence and discuss the most critical issues and immediate policy priorities in United States health care. This event puts policy insights and perspectives from diverse sectors of health and health care decision-making into context with the latest evidence and examples from science and practice. In 2020, NHPC is co-located with the Health Datapalooza.

Esri Federal GIS Conference
February 11 – 12, 2020 | Washington, D.C. | #FedGIS
The Esri Federal GIS Conference provides government professionals insight to help navigate their missions and ultimately save time and money. Attendees learn more about products, solutions and services related to ArcGIS software that can improve collaboration, deliver better services and meet current mandates. The conference is free for federal government and NGO personnel. Also check out the Esri User Conference (EsriUC).

Association of Government Accountants (AGA) National Leadership Training (NLT)
February 12–13, 2020 | Washington, D.C. or virtual
The NLT provides development and training to help government financial professionals excel as leaders in today’s competitive market. It’s an opportunity to share best practices, find solutions to shared challenges, network with your peers, and learn from the top financial management leaders and industry experts.

RSA Conference
February 24 – 28, 2020 | San Francisco, CA | #RSAC
RSA Conference is a cybersecurity event that brings together professionals from all sides of the field — CISOs to security engineers — to give attendees the perspectives and insights needed to conquer looming risks and leave hackers in the dust. Attendees have access to comprehensive educational sessions as well as the chance to network and meet with other professionals in the field.

Federal Networks Conference
February 26 – 27, 2020 | Washington, D.C.
The Federal Networks conference brings together senior decision-makers from key agencies across government to share their latest plans for how they will design, purchase and operate their networks — as well as the IT services that these networks enable and deliver.

March

The AIIM Conference
March 3 – 5, 2020 | Dallas, TX | #AIIM20
Join 600 information professionals from across the globe and discover best practices, current trends and top issues facing the information management industry.

Climate Leadership Conference
March 4 – 6, 2020 | Detroit, MI | #TheCLC
The Climate Leadership Conference convenes a global audience of climate, energy and sustainability professionals to address climate change through policy, innovation and business solutions. It is an opportunity to collaborate with peers, learn from experts and together navigate the latest climate and energy solutions.

Code for America Summit – CANCELED 
March 11 – 13, 2020 | Washington, D.C. | #CfASummit
COVID-19 UPDATE: On March 6, Code for America canceled the summit. Learn more on the Code For America website. // The Code for America Summit is a roll-up-your-sleeves conference that brings together government innovators, civic-minded technologists and entrepreneurs to tackle big problems and deliver government that works in a digital age.

South by Southwest (SXSW) – CANCELED
March 13 – 22, 2020 | Austin, TX | #SXSW
COVID-19 UPDATE: On March 6, SXSW announced “the City of Austin has canceled” the event. // SXSW is a series of conferences and festivals that offer a convergence of original music, independent films and emerging technologies. SXSW Interactive features a government and politics track that focuses on areas related to government policy on all levels as well as privacy issues on both the personal and corporate level. Specific topics include policy and civic engagement on the local, state and federal level; the relationship between government and technology; big data tracking; and surveillance concerns.

National Council on Public History (NCPH) Annual Meeting – CHANGING TO VIRTUAL
March 18 – 21, 2020 | Atlanta, GA virtual | #ncph2020
COVID-19 UPDATE: On March 10, NCPH announced the in-person meeting “cannot proceed…as planned” and “will be held virtually to the greatest extent possible.” Read NCPH’s announcement (PDF) and get updates on the @NCPH Twitter account. // NCPH’s annual meeting is for professionals, students, faculty members and anyone else interested in public history, and attracts academic historians, federal employees, archivists, museum workers and teachers. The conference provides professional development, networking and community connections.

Federal 100 Awards – POSTPONED
March 19 June 3, 2020 | Washington, D.C. | #Fed100
COVID-19 UPDATE: On March 12, FCW and Public Sector 360 announced they are postponing the gala until June 3, 2020. Get updates on the Fed 100 website. // The Federal 100 Awards are the original awards in federal IT. The awards honor the leaders at all levels who have gone above and beyond to show how technology can be leveraged to make government run better.

Government Social Media Conference & Expo (GSMCON) – CHANGING TO VIRTUAL
March 24 – 26, 2020 | Seattle, WA virtual | #GSMCON2020
COVID-19 UPDATE: On March 6, Government Social Media announced it “made the difficult decision to turn the physical [event] into a virtual experience.” Get updates on the GSM website and @GovernmentSM Twitter account. // GSMCON attendees can collaborate with a network of city, county, state and local social media managers, learn strategy and technique from experts and peers, and maximize their program to bring value to citizens.

Nonprofit Technology Conference (NTC) – CANCELED
March 24 – 26, 2020 | Baltimore, MD | #20NTC
COVID-19 UPDATE: On March 11, NTEN cancelled the conference. Read NTEN’s announcement and get updates on the @NTENorg Twitter account. // The NTC, hosted by the Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN), is the nonprofit sector’s signature technology event. It assembles thousands of the best and brightest nonprofit and public sector professionals from around the world. Together, they collaborate, innovate and discover new ways to spark change with technology.

Digital Government Institute’s (DGI) E-Discovery, Records & Information Management Conference – POSTPONED
March 26 Date TBD, 2020 | Washington, D.C.
COVID-19 UPDATE: On March 12, DGI postponed the conference to “a date beyond the current crisis.” Get updates on the DBI website. // Get updates on the DBI website. As the volume of digital information continues to grow, the scope of electronic records management has expanded exponentially and is an increasingly critical issue, particularly as it relates to providing secure storage, access and retrieval of government records. At this DGI event, government and industry experts discuss technology solutions, requirements and policy updates and changes, and review examples of successful electronic records and e-discovery programs. It’s free for government professionals.

Federal Managers Association (FMA) National Convention and Management Training Seminar – CHANGING TO VIRTUAL
March 29 – April 1 March 30, 2020 | Alexandria, VA virtual
COVID-19 UPDATE: On March 12, FMA announced “this year’s convention will be abbreviated and delivered by webinar” on March 30. Get updates on the FMA website. // FMA advocates for excellence in public service through effective management and professionalism. The national convention provides an opportunity to discuss how FMA can promote great work in the federal government.

International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) – POSTPONED
March 30 – April 3 Date TBD, 2020 | Las Vegas, NV | #IWCE2020
COVID-19 UPDATE: On March 9, IWCE announced the event is postponed and it “will announce a new date shortly.” Get updates on the IWCE website. // IWCE helps professionals leverage emerging technologies to create a safer, more efficient and more interconnected world. It features hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the latest products and trends in the industry. Attendees are a diverse group of industry professionals including government and military, public safety (law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical and 911), utility, transportation and business enterprise.

ACT-IAC Acquisition Excellence – POSTPONED
March 31 Summer date TBD, 2020 | Washington, D.C. | #AE2020
COVID-19 UPDATE: On March 11, ACT-IAC announced the event is postponed to summer 2020. Get updates on the event website. // Acquisition Excellence includes updates on current acquisition priorities and changes. Over 400 government and industry executives attend interactive sessions to collaborate on acquisition challenges and opportunities.

April

American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) Annual Conference – CANCELED
April 3 – 7, 2020 | Anaheim, CA | #ASPA2020
COVID-19 UPDATE: On March 13, ASPA canceled the conference. Learn more in the letter from ASPA’s president. // The ASPA Conference showcases state-of-the-art practices used in modern public and nonprofit administration while exploring new approaches and opportunities for continued innovation. It brings together public administrators, scholars and students from across the discipline.

Smart Cities Connect Conference and Expo – POSTPONED
April 6 – 9 November 17 – 19, 2020 | Denver, CO National Harbor, MD | #smartcitiesconnect
COVID-19 UPDATE: The organizer postponed the conference to November 17 – 19 and changed the location to National Harbor, MD. Get updates on the Smart Cities website. // The Smart Cities Connect Conference and Expo, co-located with the US Ignite Application Summit, convenes 400+ global city leaders, representing 250+ cities and communities to advance citizen engagement, improve citizen life, and enhance partnership opportunities between innovative technology and solution providers.

Association of Government Accountants (AGA) PIO/CFO Summit – POSTPONED
April 7 June 11, 2020 | Washington, D.C.
COVID-19 UPDATE: As of March 13, AGA postponed the summit until June 11 and said “registration of all attendees will be transferred to the new date.” Get updates on the AGA website. // The AGA PIO/CFO Summit focuses on the emerging policies that impact and call for greater collaboration between the federal financial management community, evaluators and the broader evidence community. Join the hundreds of federal PIOs, CFOs and other federal officials, managers and analysts. Free for AGA members who work for government.

Public Sector Innovation Summit
April 14, 2020 | Pentagon City, VA | #VMwareGovSummit
The Public Sector Innovation Summit explores how technology-driven innovation is advancing government mission success. IT leaders from government and industry will convene to discuss best practices, opportunities and key trends in the government technology space, such as efficiently moving to the cloud, transforming IT to modernize government, innovating in a risk-averse culture and more. Hosted by FedScoop and VMware.

Open Data Science Conference (ODSC) East
April 13 – 17, 2020 | Boston, MA | #ODSCeast
COVID-19 UPDATE: On March 9, the organizer said the event “is moving ahead.” It is also expanding its livestream offering. Get updates on the ODSC website. // The Open Data Science Conference gathers attendees, presenters and companies that are working on shaping the present and future of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and data science. It is one of the largest gatherings of professional data scientists. ODSC has two events in the United States: ODSC East and ODSC West. Registration discounts may be available to government employees.

Advanced Learning Institute’s (ALI) Strategic Government Communications Training – POSTPONED
April 14 – 16 Date TBD, 2020 | Washington, D.C. | #ALI_GovComms
COVID-19 UPDATE: On March 13, ALI announced it is postponing the training and “working to secure new dates.” Get updates on the ALI website. // This event can expand your reach and gain the involvement — and trust — of your audience by using more compelling and relevant digital communications to relay your messages and information more effectively. Hear how other government agencies are using strategic storytelling, visual content, mobile communication strategies and measuring their results to advance agency missions and engage audiences. GovLoop is a supporter of this training.

GSA Federal Acquisition Service Training (FAST) Conference – CANCELED
April 13 – 16, 2020 | Atlanta, GA | #FAST2020
COVID-19 UPDATE: On March 12, GSA canceled the conference. Get updates on the GSA’s FAST website. // The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) FAST Conference is designed for acquisition professionals looking for training and networking opportunities. At FAST, you can participate in educational sessions, connect with peers over shared challenges, engage with executives during interactive panels and discover the latest products and services that can support mission delivery.

Training Officers Consortium (TOC) Annual Institute
April 19 – 22, 2020 | Ocean City, MD
The TOC Annual Institute provides professional development and networking opportunities to the federal training community and human resource professionals.

National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program
April 22 – 25, 2020 | Washington, D.C. | #nejc2020
Three days of interactive training sessions showcase voices of experience, research, discussions and thought-provoking dialogue. The program addresses the needs and challenges of communities, governments, municipalities, tribes and others with an interest in environmental justice.

Professional Services Council (PSC) Annual Conference
April 26 – 28, 2020 | White Sulphur Springs, WV | #PSC2020
COVID-19 UPDATE: PSC said “this conference, and all PSC events and meetings, are proceeding as planned.” Get updates in the conference FAQ. // The conference addresses the most important legislative and regulatory issues related to acquisition, business and technology facing the government professional and technology services industry. Must be a PSC member to attend.

GEOINT Symposium – CANCELED OR POSTPONED
April 26 – 29, 2020 | Tampa, FL | #GEOINT2020
COVID-19 UPDATE: On March 16, USGIF announced it is “ceasing registration” and “is exploring all options to cancel or postpone.” Get updates on the GEOINT website. // This annual gathering is for those working in geospatial intelligence. It provides training, education and professional development to thousands of attendees, including government personnel, intelligence officers, members of the military and industry specialists. The host, the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF), also presents the GEOINT Community Week each fall.

National Public Employer Labor Relations Association (NPELRA) Annual Training Conference
April 26 – 30, 2020 | Austin, TX | #NPELRA2020
NPELRA provides progressive labor relations advice that balances the needs of management and the public interest. The Annual Training Conference is open to supervisors, managers or representatives of management in the public sector, not representing any union.

Granicus National Summit
April 27, 2020 | Washington, D.C. | #GranicusSummit20
COVID-19 UPDATE: Granicus said “we believe we will move forward with the D.C. event as scheduled.” Get updates on the Summit website. // The Summit brings together hundreds of government professionals from Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia to learn, network and share best practices. Don’t miss this chance to discover how to enhance your outreach strategies and drive your audience to action while gaining the skills to maximize the value of the Granicus Civic Engagement Platform. You’ll leave empowered to make positive change at your organization. Granicus is the parent company of GovLoop.

National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) Just Economy Conference
April 27 – 29, 2020 | Washington, D.C. | #JustEconomy
COVID-19 UPDATE: NCRC said it is “currently planning to proceed with the conference.” Get updates on the conference website. // The NCRC’s Just Economy Conference is a national event for community, policy, government and business leaders who work for fairness in lending, housing and business. The conference features a wide range of sessions on community organizing and advocacy, housing, access to capital and credit, workforce and community development, fair lending and business. Sessions will be packed with dozens of tactics to bring back to your neighborhood.

Broadband Communities Summit – POSTPONED
April 27 – 30 August 10 – 13, 2020 | Houston, TX | #bbcsum20
COVID-19 UPDATE: BBC announced the summit “has been rescheduled” to August 10 – 13, and registrations already made will be rolled to the new dates. Get updates on the BBC website. // The Broadband Communities Summit features telecommunications trends in broadband technologies for communities. It attracts broadband system operators, network builders and deployers of all kinds. Many of the country’s major property owners and real estate developers attend the summit each year, along with independent telcos and cable companies, municipal and state officials, community leaders and economic development professionals.

May

YTH Live: the youth + health + tech conference
May 3 – 4, 2020 | San Francisco, CA | #ythlive
YTH Live is the premier conference for trailblazing technology that advances youth health and wellness. Each year the brightest minds in youth advocacy, public health, government and tech gather at YTH Live to showcase what works, share ideas and learnings, and launch new collaborations. Connect with vibrant thinkers, makers and doers, and use what you learn to improve the lives of the youth you serve.

National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) Midyear Conference
May 3 – 6, 2020 | National Harbor, MD | #NASCIO20
NASCIO conferences are the go-to events for state IT leaders. It hosts both a mid-year event each spring and a larger annual conference each fall, which give state CIOs and members of their staff the opportunity to come together with many private-sector solution providers for education and networking.

Transforming Local Government Conference  – POSTPONED
May 5 – 8 Date TBD, 2020 | Phoenix, AZ | #TLG2020
COVID-19 UPDATE: On March 16, Alliance for Innovation announced it is rescheduling the conference and is “working…to determine the new dates.” // This event, hosted by the Alliance for Innovation, attracts participation from local governments that are seeking new and innovative ways to connect people, information and ideas that support their efforts to be the best communities in which to live, work and prosper.

Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) National Leadership Training Program
May 11 – 14, 2020 | Leesburg, VA
A destination for training in leadership, diversity, inclusion/EEO, and career advancement and management. The event is open to all federal employees. FAPAC is a nonprofit representing the civilian and military Asian Pacific American (APA) employees in the federal and D.C. governments.

GITEC Emerging Technology Conference
May 17 – 19, 2020 | Annapolis, MD | #GITEC2020
The Government Information Technology Executive Council (GITEC) Emerging Technology Conference examines the cutting-edge technology enabling the federal government to modernize its IT infrastructure. It provides government, academic and private industry attendees with an opportunity to learn, collaborate and network with IT subject matter experts in the federal space. This conference is hosted by the Advanced Technology Academic Research Center (ATARC). GovLoop is an event partner.

Association for Talent Development (ATD) International Conference & Exposition
May 17 – 20, 2020 | Denver, CO | #ATD2020
COVID-19 UPDATE: On March 16, ATD said it is “continuing to evaluate the impact of the outbreak” and “will provide flexibility to attendees to cancel and receive a refund through May 8.” Get updates on the ATD website. // The ATD International Conference & Exposition provides the knowledge, strategies and solutions needed to effectively attract, develop and retain top talent. You’ll gain insights into the latest trends, best practices and new solutions for designing, delivering, implementing and measuring learning programs.

Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) Bid & Proposal Con
May 17 – 20, 2020 | Location TBA | #APMP2020
The world’s largest event for proposal, bid, tender, capture, business development and graphics professionals, including government contracting. Attendees learn about tested information, proven strategies and best practices to help capture, write, produce, manage proposals and increase win rates.

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada Annual Conference
May 17 – 20, 2020 | New Orleans, LA | #GFOA2020
COVID-19 UPDATE: On March 11, GFOA reiterated that the event is continuing and extended the cancellation deadline until May 7. Get updates on the GFOA website. // Thousands of public finance professionals gather each year for this three-day conference to share ideas, develop technical and managerial skills, view new products and network with peers.

Government Fleet Expo & Conference
May 18 – 21, 2020 | Anaheim, CA | #GFX2020
COVID-19 UPDATE: On March 11, the event organizer said the conference is continuing and it “will continue to monitor the developments.” Get updates on the conference website. // At this conference, public fleet professionals can have real conversations with their peers about daily challenges, get public fleet-specific training and access the latest vehicles and technology in the exhibit hall. It provides an opportunity to learn from the industry’s top public fleet professionals from across the country, connect and share ideas and learn new strategies for efficiency, increasing ROI and cutting costs.

National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC) Communications School
May 19 – 21, 2020 | Louisville, KY | #NAGC2020
COVID-19 UPDATE: NAGC said the event is continuing and “there are currently no changes to NAGC registration cancellation policy.” Get updates on the NAGC website. // The Communications School provides networking opportunities and practical educational sessions to help government communicators increase their skills. It attracts a mix of federal, state and local government communication leaders.

Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP) National Education Conference (NEC)
May 19 – 21, 2020 | St. Louis, MO | #SGMPNEC
The National Education Conference (NEC) is the largest annual event in the government meetings industry and is where government professionals from across the country come together for education, resources and networking.

National Rural Health Association’s (NRHA) Annual Rural Health Conference
May 19 – 22, 2020 | San Diego, CA | #NRHA2020
The Rural Health Conference is for anyone with an interest in rural health care, including rural health practitioners, hospital administrators, clinic directors and lay health workers, social workers, state and federal health employees, academics, community members and more. It is the nation’s largest rural health conference. NRHA hosts other events throughout the year, including the Health Equity Conference.

National Rural Health Association’s (NRHA) Health Equity Conference
May 19, 2020 | San Diego, CA
The Health Equity Conference offers attendees the opportunity to meet with peers and experts who share an interest in health equity issues in rural America. This conference is designed for those who are dedicated to bringing quality health care and services to the underserved and often under-represented U.S. rural population. NRHA hosts other events throughout the year, including the Annual Rural Health Conference.

American Association for Budget & Program Analysis (AABPA) Spring Symposium
May 21, 2020 | Washington, D.C.
AABPA’s Spring Symposium takes a fresh look at what public sector employees do and why they do it. Speakers and panels explore the challenges of public service and the important role of budget and program analysis in government decisions. AABPA also holds a symposium in the fall.

Key Executive Leadership Conference
May 26, 2020 | Washington, D.C. | #KeyLeadershipConference2020
This is an opportunity to explore principles, industry trends and best leadership practices by talks given by exceptional leaders in the field from the federal government and public sector as well as non-governmental and nonprofit organizations. The conference is provided by the School of Public Affairs Key Executive Leadership Programs at American University.

Igniting Innovation Conference and Awards
May 27, 2020 | Washington, D.C. | #IgnitingInnovation20
Igniting Innovation identifies, recognizes, promotes and connects the best innovations and innovators to improve services to citizens and government operations.

June

930gov
June 10, 2020 | Washington, D.C. | #930gov
930gov is a free, one-day, multi-track conference and trade show where government technical communities gather to connect, exchange and gather ideas in one location from thought leaders from each community. It is held in conjunction with other events, including the Cyber & IT Security Conference and the IT Modernization Conference. It is organized by the Digital Government Institute, which hosts other conferences for public sector IT professionals.

ServiceUnites: Conference on Volunteering and Service
June 10 – 12, 2020 | Washington, D.C. | #ServiceUnites
People who care about the future of volunteer service convene at Points of Light’s annual conference to work together to increase the number of volunteers in the world and the impact of the work they do. It is the largest service-related convening of nonprofit, government, business and civic leaders in the world.

Federal Information Systems Security Educators Association (FISSEA) Conference
June 15 – 16, 2020 | Gaithersburg, MD | #FISSEA2020
FISSEA is a volunteer organization run by and for federal information systems security professionals with an interest in awareness, training, education and certification. The FISSEA Conference assists federal agencies in strengthening their employee security training and awareness programs.

Othering & Belonging Conference
June 15 – 17, 2020 | London, England | #OBConf2020
The Othering & Belonging conference aims to elevate work nationally and globally in “othering and belonging” — a lens for defining structural exclusion and inclusion, and an analytical and applied framework that can be used to design and advance institutions, narratives and policies that support a more fully inclusive “we.”

National Disability Rights Network’s P&A/CAP Annual Conference
June 15 – 18, 2020 | Phoenix, AZ | #NDRN2020
The Protection and Advocacy (P&A) System and Client Assistance Program (CAP) Annual Conference is an event for anyone who supports meaningful choice, empowerment and independence for all people with disabilities. Attendees build skills and also renew and deepen their commitment to equality for people with disabilities.

SMILE Conference
June 15 – 19, 2020 | Scottsdale, AZ | #SMILEcon
The SMILE Conference is an event that trains police in the use of social media for community outreach, event management and investigations. It attracts an international audience of police social media practitioners, including PIOs and their supervisors, investigators and crime analysts. Attendees typically are 65% sworn and 35% civilian.

dg.o Conference: Digital Government Society (DGS) International Conference on Digital Government Research
June 17 – 19, 2020 | Seoul, Republic of Korea | #dgo2020
The dg.o conference is a forum for presentation, discussion and demonstration of interdisciplinary research on digital government, political participation, civic engagement, technology innovation, applications and practice.

Graduate School USA Federal Workforce Development Conference
June 18, 2020 | Washington, D.C.
The Federal Workforce Development Conference provides participants with tools and techniques that can help you enhance your performance and advance your agency’s mission.

Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Public Affairs and Government Summit
June 18 – 20, 2020 | St. Louis, MO | #pagprsa
This summit focuses on the multidisciplinary interests of communicators who hold public affairs roles in the private and NGO sectors, as well as in local, state or national government bodies and the military. The event features sessions on topics including social media, crisis management, the use of polling to define messaging, public record requests, and best practices for issue advocacy campaigns.

National Civil Rights Conference
June 22 – 23, 2020 | Oxford, OH
The National Civil Rights Conference features workshops, artistic productions, sessions, tours, vendors, networking opportunities and other activities focusing on civil rights, social justice and human dignity.

M-Enabling Summit
June 22 – 24, 2020 | Washington, D.C. | #mEnabling20
The M-Enabling Summit is dedicated to promoting accessible and assistive technology for senior citizens and users of all abilities. It connects leaders in government, private sector and industry, academia and nonprofit organizations to advance discussion and decision-making at the intersection of mobile technology, aging disability, and policy in the United States and abroad.

Society of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE) National Training Program
June 22 – 25, 2020 | Tulsa, OK
SAIGE hosts this annual training featuring professional development, leadership, and topics related to the complex Federal Indian Trust Responsibility. It also includes specialized training sessions for veterans and youth.

League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) National Convention & Exposition
June 29 – July 4, 2020 | Washington, D.C. | #LULAC20
The LULAC National Convention & Exposition draws over 15,000 participants including top leaders from the government, business and the Latino community. Attendees discuss issues, set policies and elect the organization’s leaders.

National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Biennial Conference
June 30 – July 5, 2020 | Chicago, IL | #NAD2020
NAD ensures that the needs and concerns of the nation’s deaf and hard of hearing community are well represented on the federal level. The NAD Conference is specifically tailored for deaf, deaf-blind, late-deaf, hard of hearing and hearing professionals, federal and state employees, civic and community organization employees and more. In partnership with Deaf in Government (DIG), NAD offers Government Employee Training (GET) sessions during the conference. Held every two years.

July

Women in Municipal Government (WIMG) Summer Conference
July 8 – 11, 2020 | West Hollywood, CA
National League of Cities’ caucus, Women in Municipal Government (WIMG), brings together a diverse group of women local elected officials from across the country. WIMG helps women expand their network and provides them with tailored education to boost their skills as leaders and local officials. At WIMG’s Summer Conference, attendees will talk about contemporary issue topics, as well as solutions and best practices for the day-to-day work of governing.

Esri User Conference
July 13 – 17, 2020 | San Diego, CA | #EsriUC
The Esri User Conference has long been a favorite at GovLoop. It’s a conference designed for users of the Esri platform and for those who want to learn more about geographic information systems (GIS), data visualization and other geospatial applications. Also check out the Esri Federal GIS Conference (FedGIS).

Association of Government Accountants (AGA) Professional Development Training (PDT)
July 19 – 22, 2020 | Dallas, TX or virtual
COVID-19 UPDATE: As of March 9, AGA said it is “moving forward responsibly with…events as planned.” Get updates on the AGA website. // AGA’s Professional Development Training brings together top financial officials in federal, state and local government, as well as from academia and the private sector, for valuable training and networking.

International Personnel Assessment Council (IPAC) Conference
July 19 – 22, 2020 | San Diego, CA | #IPAC2020
A collaborative environment to learn about trends and best practices in recruitment and merit-based assessment practices and to work through input/output (I/O) related challenges.

Annual Conference on Independent Living
July 20 – 23, 2020 | Washington, D.C. | #NCIL2020
The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) conference attracts grassroots advocates, government representatives and people from major organizations that work to advance independent living and the rights of people with disabilities.

AHEAD Conference, Equity & Excellence: Access in Higher Education
July 20 – 24, 2020 | Palm Desert, CA
The AHEAD Conference may be sponsored by the Association on Higher Education and Disability, but the topics are not just related to higher education. There is a heavy emphasis on diversity, disability, policy, technology, current trends and issues as they relate to the law and disability. Those presenting are leaders in their fields and have included professionals from the Department of Justice, the Office of Civil Rights and others.

Federally Employed Women (FEW) National Training Program (NTP)
July 20 – 24, 2020 | Orlando, FL
This event trains federal workers for personal and professional career growth. FEW maps every training session to the guidelines of the Office of Personnel Management’s Senior Executive Service, Executive Core Qualifications (Leading Change, Leading People, Results Driven, Business Acumen, Building Coalitions) and the underlying fundamental core competencies.

FEDSpace
July 22, 2020 | Virtual | #FEDSpace20
FEDSpace focuses on federal data governance and the Federal Data Strategy Action Plan. The virtual event brings engaging speaking sessions led by agency leaders straight to you. FEDSpace is free for government employees.

World Congress
July 26 – 29, 2020 | Grapevine, TX | #NCMAwc
Over 2,000 professionals in contract management, procurement and acquisition attend this event hosted by National Contract Management Association (NCMA). World Congress offers breakout sessions relevant to all career levels, engaging main stage speakers and many networking events.

Drupal GovCon
July 29 – 31, 2020 | Bethesda, MD | #drupalgovcon
Drupal GovCon brings together people from all over the country who use, develop, design and support the Drupal platform with a focus in government. Drupal GovCon features presentations on the cutting edge of the current state of Drupal and how to leverage your skills to better serve your community.

Whistleblower Summit for Civil & Human Rights
July date TBA, 2020 | Washington, D.C.
The Whistleblower Summit for Civil & Human Rights is the intersection between media, politics, culture and entertainment. The summit includes panel discussions on whistleblower activism and history, film screenings highlighting civil and human rights stories from around the world, and a chance to hear from famous whistleblowers and political leaders. The event provides whistleblowers and activists a sense of community and mutual support.

August

EEOC’s EXCEL Training Conference
August 4 – 6, 2020 | New Orleans, LA | #EEOCEXCEL
The EXamining Conflicts in Employment Laws (EXCEL) Training Conference, sponsored by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commissioner (EEOC) Training Institute, is a national training conference for federal and private sector EEO managers, supervisors, practitioners, human resources professionals, attorneys and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) specialists looking to gain knowledge for making tough HR decisions.

DEF CON Hacking Conference
August 6 – 9, 2020 | Las Vegas, NV | #DEFCON
DEF CON is one of the world’s longest-running and largest hacker conventions. Government security researchers, cyber staff, developers, IT employees and law enforcement join black and white hat hackers at this conference to better understand the significant vulnerabilities facing public and private sector technology, systems and products.

Federal Dispute Resolution (FDR) Training
August 10 – 13, 2020 | Phoenix, AZ | #FDRtraining
The FDR Training helps attendees resolve workplace disputes and avoid situations that lead to complaints, ultimately reducing costly litigation for your agency. Sessions span five educational tracks: alternative dispute resolution, equal employment opportunity, executive perspective, attorney/legal and human resources/labor relations/employee relations.

Energy Exchange
August 11 – 13, 2020 | Atlanta, GA | #EnergyExchange2020
The Energy Exchange is the Federal Energy Management Program’s event that brings together subject matter experts from a wide range of technical disciplines to share their knowledge of government best practices with the federal energy management community. The Energy Exchange actively supports the development of federal energy efficiency champions by offering a comprehensive selection of training sessions and a technology-focused trade show.

Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) Annual Conference
August 16 – 19, 2020 | Gatineau, Québec, Canada | #IPAC2020IAPC
The IPAC Conference showcases cutting-edge best practices, models and collaborative efforts that have achieved excellence in public service delivery, governance and policy development. It attracts attendees from across Canada working at all levels of government and the public sector as well as representatives from Indigenous governments and institutions, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and academia.

NextGen Government Training Summit
August 19-20, 2020 | Virtual | #NextGenGov
For the first time in 11 years, the NextGen Summit will be held virtually! The NextGen Summit is a place to cultivate and enable the absolute best next generation of government. Whether you’re a millennial just entering the government workforce, a manager tasked with retaining and developing talent or a seasoned public servant looking for new resources or challenges, the NextGen Summit is where you want to be. The two-day summit inspires federal, state and local govies to be positive change ambassadors. Attendees can earn CPE credit and participate in sessions that are aligned to OPM’s Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs).

Blacks In Government (BIG) National Training Institute (NTI)
August 24 – 27, 2020 | Tampa, FL
The NTI is attended by public servants across the federal, state and local government levels. It is designed to elevate the day-to-day work performance of government employees to include methods on how to recognize and embrace a leadership role in the thrust of government transformation.

National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) FEDcon
August 30 – September 1, 2020 | Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ
FEDcon provides the opportunity for NARFE chapter and federation leaders to provide valuable knowledge regarding your federal benefits, to deliver important updates on legislative issues that impact the federal community and to offer training in grassroots advocacy.

National Information Officers Association (NIOA) Annual Training Conference
August 30 – September 2, 2020 | Clearwater Beach, FL | #NIOA2020
The NIOA Training Conference organizes and trains public information officers (PIOs) through workshops, seminars and case presentations by PIOs who have handled some of the biggest news events of our time. The gathering also offers opportunities to meet and network with professional peers from across North America.

National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) Annual Conference
August 31 – September 3, 2020 | Denver, CO
The NATOA Annual Conference is the premier event for local government IT, government access programmers and communications and cable decision-makers.

National Image’s National Training Program
August 31 – September 3, 2020 | San Antonio, TX
Provides government employees, including those involved in the management of Hispanic employment and outreach programs, the education and skills necessary to reach their full leadership potential and to fully manage their employment programs. Includes a career fair for federal agencies to talk to attendees, students and the public about government employment opportunities.

September

IPMA-HR International Training Conference & Expo
September 13 – 16, 2020 | Baltimore, MD | #IACP2020
Whether you are new to human resources or in a senior human resources position, the IPMA-HR International Training Conference & Expo can help you stay current in the ever-changing field of human resources.

African American Federal Executive Association (AAFEA) Annual Leadership Development Workshop
September 14 – 16, 2020 | College Park, MD
The AAFEA workshop focuses on the programs, policies, practices and processes that promote career-enhancing opportunities and the fundamental competencies needed to become and succeed as senior leaders in the federal government. Designed for federal professionals with experience at the GS-13 and above levels.

Professional Services Council (PSC) Tech Trends Conference
September 22, 2020 | Washington, D.C.
The PSC Tech Trends Conference is an opportunity to hear from senior government officials and engage in the top IT issues facing the federal government. At this half-day conference, you’ll be the first to hear the results of PSC’s survey of federal IT and cybersecurity leaders and gain insights on how to help the government deliver more effective mission results through technology adoption and innovation.

Association of Government Accountants (AGA) Internal Control & Fraud Prevention Training (IC&FPT)
September 23 – 24, 2020 | Washington, D.C. | #Fraud20
COVID-19 UPDATE: As of March 9, AGA said it is “moving forward responsibly with…events as planned.” Get updates on the AGA website. // The IC&FPT gives attendees ways to find solutions and make a difference in the workplace and the government finance profession. The agenda includes a range of information including fraud detection, data analytics, improper payments and risks with government payment cards.

National Association of Government Web (NAGW) Professionals Annual Conference
September 23 – 25, 2020 | Little Rock, AR | #NAGW2020
Designed for local government web professionals, the NAGW conference focuses on the professional development of government web professionals. Diverse topics cater to both technical and non-technical audiences including webmasters, programmers, PIOs, designers, managers and CIOs.

GLMA Annual Conference on LGBTQ Health
September 23 – 26, 2020 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | #GLMA2020
GLMA’s Annual Conference is the premier, interdisciplinary LGBTQ health conference and the world’s largest scientific gathering devoted to LGBTQ health issues and concerns. It educates practitioners, policy advocates, educators, administrators, researchers and students about the unique health needs of LGBTQ individuals and families.

International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Annual Conference
September 23 – 26, 2020 | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | #ICMA20
COVID-19 UPDATE: ICMA said it is monitoring the situation closely. Get updates on the conference website. // The ICMA Annual Conference for local government managers and staff has been going strong for over 100 years. It offers an abundance of educational, information-sharing and networking tools to help you manage your community in today’s complex environment. Save the dates for future ICMA annual conferences.

National Center for Public Performance (NCPP) Public Performance Conference
September 24 – 25, 2020 | Boston, MA | #NCPP2020
The NCPP Public Performance Conference convenes government and nonprofit performance professionals and academics to emphasize the use of data to improve efficiency and efficacy of public services. The conference features research- and practice-oriented panels designed to convey the latest in public performance scholarship and application.

Clarity2020
September 30 – October 2, 2020 | Washington, D.C. | #Clarity2020
Clarity is a conference that examines the importance of plain language in law, government and business. The event promotes accessible writing and the benefits for organisations that communicate with clarity. Speakers at the conference investigate the link between clarity, reputation and effectiveness. The conference is held every two years.

October

Out & Equal Workplace Summit
October 5 – 8, 2020 | Las Vegas, NV | #OESummit
The Out & Equal Workplace Summit convenes attendees to share strategies and best practices to create workplaces which are inclusive of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions. The event attracts executives, human resource professionals and other experts at companies, government agencies and organizations.

United States Conference on HIV/AIDS (USCHA)
October 10 – 13, 2020 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | #USCHA
The USCHA (formerly the United States Conference on AIDS, USCA) is the largest conference on HIV/AIDS in the nation. Hosted by the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC), it attracts attendees including health departments, community-based organizations, people living with HIV, people on PrEP, national organizations, health centers, health care providers, donors, activists and federal leaders.

National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) Annual Conference
October 11 – 14, 2020 | Minneapolis, MN | #NASCIO20
NASCIO conferences are the go-to events for state IT leaders. It hosts both a midyear event each spring and a larger annual conference each fall, which give state CIOs and members of their staff the opportunity to come together with many private sector solution providers for education and networking.

National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) Annual Conference
October 14 – 17, 2020 | Chicago, IL | #NASPAA2020
The NASPAA annual conference features speakers and breakout sessions on current public affairs education issues.

American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting & Exposition
October 24 – 28, 2020 | San Francisco, CA | #APHA2020
The APHA Annual Meeting & Exposition is where public health professionals convene, learn, network and engage with peers. Conference participants attend to strengthen the profession of public health, share the latest research and information, promote best practices and advocate for public health issues and policies grounded in research. Save the dates for future APHA annual meetings.

Imagine Nation – ELC
October 25 – 28, 2020 | Philadelphia , PA | #ImagineNation2020
ATC-IAC’s Imagine Nation – ELC offers an experience designed to spark the imagination, inspire bold thinking and fresh ideas, foster collaboration and dialogue, and spotlight the newest and most relevant technology. The conference brings together forward-thinking agencies and companies focused on improving mission delivery. It also provides a neutral ground where government and industry can work together as true partners.

Open Data Science Conference (ODSC) West
October 26 – 30, 2020 | San Francisco, CA | #ODSCwest
The Open Data Science Conference gathers attendees, presenters and companies that are working on shaping the present and future of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and data science. It is one of the largest gatherings of professional data scientists. ODSC has two events in the United States: ODSC East and ODSC West. Registration discounts may be available to government employees.

PSC’s Vision Federal Market Forecast Conference
October 28 – 29, 2020 | Falls Church, VA | #PSCvision20
The Vision Federal Market Forecast addresses the defense, civilian and federal IT markets. It is where industry and government convene to present and discuss the results of the Vision Federal Market Forecast, which delivers insights from hundreds of government executives, think tank experts, congressional staff and Wall Street analysts who take part in non-attribution interviews. These insights provide a concise, quantifiable assessment of the budgets, programs, priorities and issues in a rapidly changing environment.

Data Driven Government
October date TBA, 2020 | Washington, D.C. | #ddggovconf
Data Driven Government, formerly known as Predictive Analytics World for Government (PAWGOV), is focused on helping government executives share and discuss emerging trends and best practices for using data analytics to enhance mission outcomes. A practically-focused, vendor-neutral conference, Data Driven Government advances the deployment of analytics and data science within federal, state and local governments to reduce fraud, waste and abuse.

November

Blockchain Expo North America
November 4 – 5, 2020 | Santa Clara, CA | #BlockchainExpo
Blockchain Expo brings together thousands of delegates across key industries for two days of content from leading brands embracing and developing cutting edge blockchain technologies.

Salesforce’s Dreamforce
November 9 – 12, 2020 | San Francisco, CA | #DF20
A massive conference for users of Salesforce’s CRM platform and tools, with over 150,000 in-person attendees. In addition to the general sessions relevant to any Salesforce user, the conference also has several sessions designed specifically for government and public sector organizations.

UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26)
November 9 – 20, 2020 | Glasgow, Scotland | #COP26
COP26 brings together over 30,000 delegates, including heads of state, climate experts and campaigners to agree on coordinated action to tackle climate change.

ARNOVA’s Annual Conference
November 12 – 14, 2020 | Indianapolis, IN | #arnova20
The ARNOVA conference is designed to create a public conversation on, as well as opportunities for presenting research about, pressing issues and vital opportunities facing the voluntary or nonprofit sector. It is both a showcase for the best and most current research, as well as a seedbed from which new research is born.

International Open Data Conference (IODC)
November 18 – 20, 2020 | Nairobi, Kenya | #IODC20
The IODC attracts senior government officials, policy experts, academics and open data advocates to meet, make connections and work together to enable the open data revolution. The IODC helps to chart open data’s future and, in turn, strengthens democracy, generates jobs and builds prosperity. Held every two years.

December

International LGBTQ Leaders Conference
December 2 – 5, 2020 | Washington, D.C. | #LGBTQLeaders20
Hundreds of LGBTQ elected officials, leaders and advocates from across the world come together for the International LGBTQ Leaders Conference. The conference includes three days of networking and skills building to strategize the year ahead in the movement for equality.

Behavior, Energy & Climate Change (BECC) Conference
December 6 – 9, 2020 | Washington, D.C. | #BECC2020
The BECC conference focuses on understanding the behavior and decision-making of individuals and organizations and using that knowledge to accelerate our transition to an energy-efficient and low-carbon future.

Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) Conference
December 13 – 16, 2020 | Atlanta,GA
The COGEL Conference is an opportunity to network with top professionals in the fields of campaign finance, governmental ethics, elections, lobbying and freedom of information.

Not Yet Scheduled

The dates for these events have not been announced:

• Adobe Digital Government Technology Conference | Usually held in fall | Washington, D.C. | #ADGTC
• Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) Homeland Security Conference and Federal Identity Forum & Exposition (FIFE) | Usually held in spring | Washington, D.C. | #AFCEAHomeland & #FedID
• Asian American Government Executives Network (AAGEN) Leadership Workshop | Usually held in summer | Location TBA
• Cloudera Government Forum | Usually held in winter | Location TBA
• GAIN: Grow Accelerate Innovate Network | Usually held in fall | Location TBA | #GAINConf
• oSTEM’s National Conference | Usually held in fall | Location TBA | #oSTEM2020
• Partnership for Public Service Service to America Medals (SAMMIES) | Usually held in fall | Washington, D.C. | #SAMMIES2020
• PLAIN: The International Plain Language Conference | Date TBA in 2021 (held every two years) | Location TBA | #plain2020

Other government events?

You’re out in the world discovering fantastic events for government workers all the time. What other events and conferences should be included on this list? Add your suggestions in a comment at the end of this post — we might just add them when we update this list of government conferences to attend in 2021.

Lauren Girardin is a marketing and communications consultant, storyteller, and freelance writer based in San Francisco. She helps organizations engage their communities and tell their stories. Her website is laurengirardin.com and you can connect with her on Twitter at @girardinl.