This is the seventh 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.
We know that 2021 is an unusual time to be planning to attend conferences. Most events in the first half of the year are entirely virtual or offer a hybrid of online and in-person participation. In the second half of the year, some conference organizers have decided to host in-person events.
Although we’ve included in-person events in this list, we urge you to follow the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). As of the publication date of this article, the CDC recommends not attending events and staying home to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. As the year unfolds and vaccinations progress, the CDC’s guidelines may change.
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 2021. And, if you can’t attend an event this year, since most of these events are annual, keep it on your radar for 2022.
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.
Jump to: February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
January
National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE) Annual Conference
January 5 – 9, 2021 | Virtual | #NCSEDrawdown2021
Formerly the NCSE Annual Conference, the NSCE Drawdown 2021 Conference brings together leaders, research partners, scientists, decision-makers and friends from across the globe to share their science and solutions to the world’s most pressing global challenges. This joint conference will focus on the physical and social realities of climate change and the way they impact people, ecosystems, markets and the places people live. It will also look at how implementing climate solutions produces positive benefits to society, the economy and the planet.
February
AcademyHealth 2021 Health Datapalooza and National Health Policy Conference (NHPC)
February 16 – 18, 2021 | Virtual | #NHPC21
This event explores how health data and policy innovation are an integral part of all efforts to transform health care. Attendees share work, exchange ideas, collaborate, and tackle the most critical health issues facing the United States today.
February 22 – 24, 2021 | Virtual | #FedGIS
Attendees from across government agencies gather at the Esri Federal GIS Conference to hear how agencies are using GIS to power deeper understanding for more effective solutions. You can also sign up for notifications about the 2022 conference.
Association of Government Accountants (AGA) National Leadership Training (NLT)
February 24–25, 2021 | Virtual | #NLT21
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 peers and learn from the top financial management leaders and industry experts.
March
Transforming Local Government (TLG) Govapalooza
March 1 – 5, 2021 | Virtual | #govapalooza
TLG Govapalooza helps local government movers and shakers achieve their goals. It brings together the private sector, NGOs and nonprofits, universities, startups and individuals dedicated to building an antifragile ecosystem. Experiences range from inspiration to hands-on implementation tactics and tools to dig deep into the themes of equity and inclusion, economic revitalization, police and public safety, and climate and the environment. Hosted by Alliance for Innovation (AFI).
Federal Managers Association (FMA) National Convention and Management Training Seminar
March 7 – 8, 2021 | Virtual
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.
National Council on Public History (NCPH) Annual Meeting
March 8 – 27, 2021 | Virtual | #NCPH2021
NCPH’s annual meeting is for professionals, students, faculty members and anyone else interested in public history. It attracts academic historians, federal employees, archivists, museum workers and teachers. The conference provides professional development, networking and community connections.
March 16 – 20, 2021 | Virtual | #SXSW
The SXSW Conference provides an opportunity for global professionals at every level to participate, network and advance their careers. Featuring a variety of tracks that allow attendees to explore what’s next in the worlds of film, culture, music and technology, SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together.
Government Social Media Conference (GSMCON)
March 23 – 25, 2021 | Virtual | #GSMCON2021
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)
March 23 – 25, 2021 | Virtual | #21NTC
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.
Public Sector CIO Academy: California
March 24 – 25, 2021 | Virtual | #govtechlive
This invitation-only event is designed for California’s senior-level technology executives to improve their management and business skills and to develop IT leaders of the future. It’s developed by and for government by Government Technology, which hosts other events around the country
March 25, 2021 | Virtual
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 and requirements, policy updates and changes, and examples of successful electronic records and e-discovery programs. It’s free for government professionals.
Open Data Science Conference (ODSC) East
March 30 – April 1, 2021 | Virtual | #ODSCeast
ODSC East 2021 is an applied data science conference. Speakers include core contributors to many open source libraries and languages. Attend ODSC East 2021 and learn the latest artificial intelligence (AI) and data science topics, tools and languages from some of the best and brightest minds in the field.
April
American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) Annual Conference
April 9 – 15, 2021 | Virtual | #ASPA2021
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.
National Center for Public Performance (NCPP) Public Performance Conference
April 9, 2021 | Virtual | #NCPP2021
The NCPP Public Performance Conference convenes government and nonprofit performance professionals and academics to emphasize the use of data to improve the 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.
Smart Cities Connect Virtual Conference and Expo
April 13 – 14, 2021 | Virtual | #smartcitiesconnect
Smart Cities Connect is a conference, exposition and accelerator of smart city innovation in North America. It delivers networking and educational opportunities with a focus on city leaders and their priorities. Working closely with the technology community, Smart Cities Connect brings together a collection of intelligent systems providers for energy, infrastructure, networks, data management, urban mobility, citizen engagement and governance solutions.
ACT-IAC Acquisition Innovation Forum
April 20, 2021 | Virtual
Attend the Acquisition Innovation Forum to find out firsthand how government and industry are working together to build adaptability, resiliency, speed and repeatability into the acquisition process and changing the world along the way.
Othering & Belonging Conference
April 21, 2021 | Virtual | #OBConf2021
The Othering & Belonging conferences advance ideas, research, movements and policies that support a more fully inclusive “we.” In 2021, there is a one-day virtual conference on April 21 and a multi-day conference Oct. 19-21.
Training Officers Consortium (TOC) Annual Institute
April 26 – 28, 2021 | Virtual
The TOC Annual Institute provides professional development and networking opportunities to the federal training community and human resource professionals.
April 27 – 29, 2021 | Virtual | #AIIM21
Join information professionals from across the globe and discover best practices, current trends and top issues facing the information management industry.
May
National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) Just Economy Conference
May 3 – 4, 2021 | Virtual | #JustEconomy
The NCRC’s Just Economy Conference is a national event for community, policy, government, business and foundation leaders who work for fairness in lending, housing and business. Sessions will be packed with dozens of tactics to bring back to your neighborhood and to make all Americans equal parts of the formula for national success.
National Rural Health Association’s (NRHA) Health Equity Conference
May 4, 2021 | Virtual
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.
National Rural Health Association’s (NRHA) Annual Rural Health Conference
May 5 – 7, 2021 | Virtual | #NRHA2021
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.
May 6, 2021 | Virtual | #930gov
930gov is a free multi-track conference and trade show where government technical communities converge to connect, exchange and gather ideas in one location. Attendees will hear from thought leaders in customer experience, cloud, data and records management. The event is held in conjunction with other events, including the Government Customer Experience Conference. It is organized by the Digital Government Institute, which hosts other conferences for public sector IT professionals.
GITEC Emerging Technology Conference
May 9 – 11, 2021 | TBA Annapolis, MD or virtual (evaluate your safety carefully) | #GITEC2021
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.
May 12 – 13, 2021 | Virtual | #CfASummit
The Code for America Summit is a two-day experience that brings changemakers into one room. Public servants, advocates, technologists and organizers break through some of the governments’ biggest challenges by removing barriers and expanding government access to serve all Americans. Summit offers dozens of keynotes, breakout sessions and workshops.
Social Media Strategies Summit: Public Agencies and Government
May 12 – 13, 2021 | Virtual | #SMSSummit
The Social Media Strategies Summit is an opportunity to share experiences and learn new social media strategies with government and public agency colleagues from around the world.
May 17 – 20, 2021 | Virtual | #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 will gain actionable insights from hundreds of traditional and immersive sessions, collaborate and share different perspectives with peers that will spark new approaches, and see the latest technology.
Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP) National Education Conference (NEC)
May 18 – 20, 2021 | Huntsville, AL with a virtual option | #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.
Association of Government Accountants (AGA) PIO/CFO Summit
May 19, 2021 | Virtual
The AGA Performance Improvement Officer/Chief Financial Officer Summit (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.
Professional Services Council (PSC) Tech Trends Conference
May 21, 2021 | Virtual
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.
Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) National Leadership Training Program
May 25 – 27, 2021 | Virtual
A destination for training in leadership, diversity, inclusion, 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.
National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC) Communications School
May 25 – 27, 2021 | Virtual | #NAGC2021
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.
National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) Midyear Conference
May 25 – 27, 2021 | Virtual | #NASCIO21
NASCIO conferences are designed for state IT leaders. NASCIO 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.
June
Deaf in Government (DIG) Conference and Expo
June 3, 2021 | Virtual
The DIG Conference & Expo focuses on current technologies of cloud infrastructure, content management, artificial intelligence, machine learning and accessibility, as well as career advancement, networking and job opportunities in order to build a bridge for deaf and hard-of-hearing employees at all levels of government.
June 9 – 11, 2021 | Virtual | #dgo2021
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.
June 14 – 18, 2021 | Scottsdale, AZ (evaluate your safety carefully) | #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.
EEOC’s EXCEL Training Conference
June 15 – 17, 2021 | Virtual | #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.
GSA Federal Acquisition Service Training (FAST) Conference
June 15 – 17, 2021 | Virtual | #FAST2021
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.
Federal Information Systems Security Educators Association (FISSEA) Conference
June 16 – 17, 2021 | Virtual | #FISSEA2021
The FISSEA Conference elevates the general level of information security knowledge for the federal government and federally related workforce. It also serves as a professional forum for the exchange of information and improvement of information systems security awareness and training programs throughout the federal government.
National Civil Rights Conference
June 20 – 22, 2021 | Oxford, OH (evaluate your safety carefully)
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.
July
July 12 – 15, 2021 | Virtual | #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).
Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada Annual Conference
July 12 – 23, 2021 | Virtual | #GFOA2021
Thousands of public finance professionals gather each year for this conference to hear from leading practitioners, recognized industry experts, researchers and peers about how to effectively prioritize the current needs of communities and prepare for any future challenges.
July 14 – 16, 2021 | Orlando, FL with a virtual option | #PointsOfLight21
The Points of Light Conference is a global convening of nonprofit, government, business and civic leaders who connect, collaborate, gain and share the knowledge and resources needed to galvanize the power of people to create change. Formerly the ServiceUnites: Conference on Volunteering and Service.
AHEAD Conference, Equity & Excellence: Access in Higher Education
July 19 – 30, 2021 | Austin, TX with a virtual option
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.
Annual Conference on Independent Living
July 19 – 30, 2021 | Virtual | #NCIL2021
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.
Association of Government Accountants (AGA) Professional Development Training (PDT)
July 19 – 21, 2021 | Virtual
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.
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) National Convention & Exposition
July 21 – 25, 2021 | Albuquerque, NM (evaluate your safety carefully) | #LULAC21
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.
International Personnel Assessment Council (IPAC) Conference
July 25 – 28, 2021 | San Diego, CA (evaluate your safety carefully) | #IPAC2021
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.
July 25 – 28, 2021 | Denver, CO (evaluate your safety carefully) | #NCMAwc
Over 2,000 professionals in contract management, procurement and acquisition attend this event hosted by the National Contract Management Association (NCMA). World Congress offers breakout sessions relevant to all career levels, engaging main stage speakers and many networking events.
Federally Employed Women (FEW) National Training Program (NTP)
July 26 – 30, 2021 | Houston, TX (evaluate your safety carefully)
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.
July 28 – 30, 2021 | TBA whether virtual or in person | #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.
August
During the week of August 2, 2021 | Virtual | #EnergyExchange2021
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.
NextGen Government Virtual Training Summit
August 4 – 5, 2021 | Virtual | #NextGenGov
The NextGen Summit is a place to cultivate and enable the absolute best next generation of government. Whether you’re Gen Z 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). GovLoop is a summit co-host.
August 5 – 8, 2021 | TBA whether virtual or in person | #DEFCON
DEF CON is one of the world’s largest and longest-running 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 16 – 19, 2021 | Orlando, FL (evaluate your safety carefully) | #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.
August 22 – 25, 2021 | Lake Buena Vista, FL (evaluate your safety carefully) | #GMISMEETS
GMIS International is a community of public sector IT professionals. Each year, over 200 government IT leaders, vendors and speakers gather at GMIS MEETS Conference for four days of collaboration, networking and educational opportunities.
August 27, 2021 | Washington, D.C. (evaluate your safety carefully) | #Fed100
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.
Association for Talent Development (ATD) International Conference & Exposition
August 29 – September 1, 2021 | Salt Lake City, UT with regional and virtual options | #ATD2021
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.
National Homeland Security Conference
August 30 – September 2, 2021 | Las Vegas, NV (evaluate your safety carefully) | #NHSC2021
The National Homeland Security Conference brings together over a thousand homeland security, law enforcement, fire and emergency management professionals, federal agencies, nonprofit agencies, business owners, universities and decision-makers to learn about emerging trends in homeland security and see the new equipment and technology available to support their mission.
National Image’s National Training Program
August 31 – September 3, 2021 | San Antonio, TX (evaluate your safety carefully)
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
September 8, 2021 | Virtual | #govtechlive
COVITS gathers public and private sector leaders to spread best practices and spur innovation in government technology. Topics include: cyberthreat landscape, cloud and DevOps, blockchain use cases, strategies for smart communities, the citizen experience, easing the pain of FOIA and e-discovery, election security, emergency response trends and technologies, artificial intelligence and predictive analytics.
Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) Conference
September 8 – 10, 2021 | Aurora, CO (evaluate your safety carefully) | #WiCyS2021
The Women in Cybersecurity Conference brings together industry, students, educators, government and research for knowledge sharing, networking, mentoring and recruiting. WiCyS is a nonprofit organization and community of engagement, encouragement and support for women in cybersecurity.
Local Government Hispanic Network (LGHN) Conference
September 9 – 12, 2021 | Aurora, CO (evaluate your safety carefully)
The LGHN Conference convenes delegates from various cities and states to explore ideas and solutions for advancing excellence and inclusiveness in local government. The conference takes place every two years. LGHN is an ICMA affiliate.
IPMA-HR International Training Conference & Expo
September 18 – 22, 2021 | Indianapolis, IN (evaluate your safety carefully) | #IACP2021
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.
Association of Government Accountants (AGA) Internal Control & Fraud Prevention Training (IC&FPT)
September 21 – 22, 2021 | Virtual | #Fraud21
The IC&FPT gives attendees ways to find solutions and make a difference in the workplace and the government finance profession. The agenda includes fraud detection, data analytics, improper payments and risks with government payment cards.
National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) Annual Conference
September 21 – 23, 2021 | Virtual
The NATOA Annual Conference is the premier event for local government IT, government access programmers and communications and cable decision-makers.
September 22 – 23, 2021 (in-person) or September 28 – 30, 2021 (virtual) | Santa Clara, CA with a virtual option | #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.
GLMA Annual Conference on LGBTQ Health
September 22 – 25, 2021 | Fort Lauderdale, FL (evaluate your safety carefully) | #GLMA2021
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.
September 22 – 23, 2021 (in-person) or September 28 – 30, 2021 (virtual) | Santa Clara, CA with a virtual option | #IoTTechExpo
IoT Tech Expo brings together key industries from across the globe to explore the latest innovations within the Internet of Things and covering the impact IoT has on many industries including transport, logistics, government, energy and more, The event is co-located with three events covering cybersecurity and cloud, blockchain and AI, and big data, with 13,000 attendees expected to attend.
American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) National Conference
September 23 – 25, 2021 | Phoenix, AZ (evaluate your safety carefully) | #AISESNC21
The AISES National Conference focuses on educational, professional and workforce development for Indigenous peoples in STEM. Attendees include American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and First Nation high school and college students, educators, professionals, tribal nations and tribal enterprises, universities, corporations and government agencies.
September 26 – 29, 2021 | Virtual | #GHC21
The Grace Hopper Celebration is the world’s largest gathering of women technologists. Produced by the Anita Borg Institute and presented in partnership with the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM), the three-day celebration brings together women in computing for discussions of research and career interests, networking and mentoring, an open source day, and more. Conference presenters are leaders in their respective fields, representing industry, academia and government.
September 27 – 30, 2021 | Houston, TX (evaluate your safety carefully) | #bbcsum21
The Broadband Communities Summit features telecommunications trends in broadband technologies for communities. Attendees include community leaders, multifamily property owners and network builders and deployers interested in the building, managing, marketing and monetizing of high-speed broadband technologies and services.
Global Security Exchange (GSX)
September 27 – 29, 2021 | Orlando, FL (evaluate your safety carefully) | #GSX21
Global Security Exchange offers insights and best practices to security professionals at every stage in their career. GSX is huge — more than 22,000 professionals from 100+ countries register for the event each year, and come from the private and public sectors, allied organizations and partners, and solution providers.
International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE)
September 27 – 30, 2021 | Las Vegas, NV (evaluate your safety carefully) | #IWCE2021
IWCE helps critical communications 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 include industry professionals including government and military, public safety (law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical and 911), utility, transportation and business enterprise.
October
International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Annual Conference
October 3 – 6, 2021 | Portland/Multnomah County, OR (evaluate your safety carefully) | #ICMA21
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.
October 4 – 6, 2020 | Washington, D.C. (evaluate your safety carefully) | #mEnabling21
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.
October 4 – 6, 2021 | Virtual | #ythlive
YTH Live Global showcases the brightest minds and cutting-edge research in topics ranging from sexual and reproductive health to mental health, health equity, climate change and COVID-19. YTH Live helps executive directors, funders, developers, public health professionals and students of all ages learn about the latest trends in health, innovation and technology.
October 5 – 8, 2021 | St. Louis, MO (evaluate your safety carefully) | #GEOINT2021
This annual gathering is for those working in geospatial intelligence. It provides training, education and professional development to attendees, including government personnel, intelligence officers, members of the military and industry specialists. Hosted by the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF).
Billington CyberSecurity Summit
October 6 – 8, 2021 | Virtual | #BillingtonSummit
The Billington CyberSecurity Summit is a deep dive into the current state of cybersecurity and offers perspective on the next challenges and opportunities during this unprecedented time of cyber upheaval. With keynotes from the military, civilian agencies and industry, the event attracts senior-level decision-makers to tackle the tough issues of cybersecurity and will examine where the government is heading. GovLoop has been a media sponsor of this event.
Women of Color STEM Conference
October 7 – 9, 2021 | Location TBA | #WOC21
The Women of Color STEM Conference helps women improve their education and careers in science, technology, engineering and math fields. The over 20-year-old conference opens up opportunities to achieve your STEM goals and move you forward in your STEM career path.
National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) Annual Conference
October 10 – 13, 2021 | Washington D.C. (evaluate your safety carefully) | #NASCIO21
NASCIO conferences are the go-to events for state IT leaders. NASCIO 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.
Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) Bid & Proposal Con
October 10 – 13, 2021 | Aurora, CO (evaluate your safety carefully) | #APMP2021
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.
October 13 – 15, 2021 | New Orleans, LA (evaluate your safety carefully) | #TheCLC
The annual Climate Leadership Conference addresses the climate crisis through policy, innovation and business solutions. Hosted by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) and The Climate Registry, the conference brings together forward-thinking leaders from business, government, academia and the nonprofit community to explore energy and climate solutions and opportunities, and to showcase climate leadership.
American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting & Exposition
October 23 – 27, 2021 | Denver, CO (evaluate your safety carefully) | #APHA2021
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.
Professional Services Council (PSC) Annual Conference
October 24 – 26, 2021 | White Sulphur Springs, WV (evaluate your safety carefully) | #PSC2021
This government contracting conference convenes government and industry leaders to address issues facing the government professional and technology services industry.
SecurityWeek’s Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Cyber Security Conference
October 25 – 28, 2021 | Atlanta, GA with virtual option | #ICSCCS21
SecurityWeek’s ICS Cyber Security Conference is the conference where ICS users, ICS vendors, system security providers and government representatives meet to discuss the latest cyber incidents, analyze their causes and cooperate on solutions.
October 26 – 28, 2021 | Los Angeles, CA (evaluate your safety carefully) | #MWCA21
Mobile World Congress is an industry event that gathers global decision-makers in telco, tech and adjacent industries with North American digital leadership at the forefront. Attendees from around the world come to learn about the future of AI, IoT and 5G.
United States Conference on HIV/AIDS (USCHA)
October 28 – 31, 2021 | Washington D.C. (evaluate your safety carefully) | #USCHA
The USCHA 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.
November
UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26)
November 1 – 12, 2021 | Glasgow, Scotland (evaluate your safety carefully) | #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.
PSC’s Vision Federal Market Forecast Conference
November 2 – 3, 2021 | Falls Church, VA (evaluate your safety carefully) | #PSCvision21
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.
National Public Employer Labor Relations Association (NPELRA) Annual Training Conference
November 6 – 10, 2021 | New Orleans, LA (evaluate your safety carefully) | #NPELRA2021
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.
Behavior, Energy & Climate Change (BECC) Conference
November 8 – 10, 2021 | Virtual | #BECC2021
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.
Open Data Science Conference (ODSC) West
November 15 – 18, 2021 | San Francisco, CA (evaluate your safety carefully) | #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.
November 11 – 18, 2021 | Atlanta, GA (evaluate your safety carefully) | #arnova21
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.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) re:Invent Conference
November 29 – December 3, 2021 | Las Vegas, NV (evaluate your safety carefully) | #reInvent
Each year, Amazon Web Services brings its customers together at the re:Invent Conference to network, engage and learn more about AWS at this gathering of the cloud computing community. It is a week of valuable technical content, hands-on learning opportunities, access to AWS experts, keynote announcements, a partner expo and fun after-hours events.
December
Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) Conference
December 5 – 8, 2021 | Denver, CO (evaluate your safety carefully)
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 Symposium | #AdobeGovSymp
- African American Federal Executive Association (AAFEA) Annual Leadership Development Workshop
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) Summit Public Sector | #AWSPSSummit
- American Association for Budget & Program Analysis (AABPA) Spring Symposium
- Annual Computer Security Applications Conference (ACSAC)
- Asian American Government Executives Network (AAGEN) Leadership Workshop
- Association of Government Accountants (AGA) Technology & Transformation Summit (TTS) | Usually held in fall | Virtual
- BITCon (Blacks in Technology Conference) | #BITCon2021
- Blacks In Government (BIG) National Training Institute (NTI)
- FEDSpace | #FEDSpace21
- GAIN: Grow Accelerate Innovate Network | #GAINConf
- Government Fleet Expo & Conference | #GFX2021
- Granicus National Summit | #GranicusSummit21
- Homeland Security Week | #HSW2021
- Igniting Innovation Conference and Awards | #IgnitingInnovation21
- Imagine Nation – ELC | #ImagineNation2021
- International LGBTQ Leaders Conference | #LGBTQLeaders21
- International Open Data Conference (IODC) | #IODC21
- Key Executive Leadership Conference | #KeyLeadershipConference2021
- National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) Annual Conference | #NASPAA2021
- National Disability Rights Network’s P&A/CAP Annual Conference | #NDRN2021
- National Information Officers Association (NIOA) Annual Training Conference | Clearwater, FL (evaluate your safety carefully) | #NIOA2021
- New Partners For Smart Growth Conference | #npsg
- NIST Advancing Cybersecurity Risk Management Conference | #NISTACRM2021
- oSTEM’s National Conference | #oSTEM2021
- Out & Equal Workplace Summit | #OESummit
- Partnership for Public Service Service to America Medals (SAMMIES) | #SAMMIES2021
- Salesforce’s Dreamforce | #DF21
- Society of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE) National Training Program | Tulsa, OK (evaluate your safety carefully)
- Whistleblower Summit for Civil & Human Rights
- Women in Municipal Government (WIMG) Summer Conference
- Wonder Women Tech Global Summit | #WWT2021
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 2022.
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.
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