Kansas City, MO. – Over 6,000 public and private sector public works professionals are expected to converge in Denver, Colorado during September 18-21st for the American Public Works Association (APWA) “Best Show in Public Works.” Located in Denver’s Colorado Convention Center, the APWA 2011 International Public Works Congress & Exposition will feature the latest innovations in public works’ through education sessions on technology, applications, leadership, sustainability, and management of infrastructure.
“This year, APWA’s 2011 International Public Works Congress is about ‘Innovation, Motivation and Elevation,’” said APWA Executive Director Peter B. King. “APWA’s ‘Best Show in Public Works’ will not only supply the latest information on new technologies and innovations, but will also feature a cadre of current educational session speakers that highlight community public works programs and applications, as well as sessions on social media, sustainability, emergency planning and response, funding, software, international projects, and new ways to manage and think about the design, building and maintenance of public works,” said King.
“And, the 2011 APWA International Congress and Exposition will also feature a new ‘Expo Experience’ with the latest ‘Apps in Public Works,’ and a new ‘Continuing the Conversation’ program where interviews with speakers will be conducted during exhibit hours, while conference participants explore an exposition floor of over 90,000 square feet, “ said King. “There will be over 150 education sessions to choose from, and conference participants can connect with public works colleagues through many networking opportunities. We expect delegates to leave Denver with numerous ideas to elevate public works and infrastructure in their communities,” King said.
APWA Congress keynote speakers will delve deeper into topics of current interest to public works professionals, such as:
Opening Session – Keynote Speaker General Michael Hayden, Sunday, September 18, 10 a.m. to Noon: General Hayden, a Retired U.S. Air Force Four-Star General; Former Director, Central Intelligence Agency; and Former Director, National Security Agency, will speak at 10:00 a.m. during Sunday’s Opening General Session. “One of the key highlights this year is the Opening General Session with General Michael Hayden, former director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). In the aftermath of Hurricane Irene and public works’ emergency management responsibilities, delegates will not want to miss his presentation on ‘Crisis Management in Complex Organizations,’” King said. “Gen. Hayden has been on the frontline of geopolitical strife and global change, and he understands the dangers, risks and potential rewards in political, economic and security situations that we all face.”
General Session Speaker Ian Hill – Monday, September 19: Speaking at 8:30 a.m., Ian Hill, an award-winning Change Agent and Founder/President of The Changing Point, will speak in the Monday General Session on “Becoming A Community Builder-Leadership in Changing Times.” As communities change, and the demands on the public works sector increase, there must be a corresponding adjustment in how public works leaders operate their departments, mobilize community resources, and engage staff. Hill will speak about how Community Builders tap into the collective intelligence and energy of all stakeholders and act as a catalyst to get things done.
General Session Featured Speaker Steven Berlin-Johnson, Tuesday, September 20: Speaking at 8:30 a.m., Steven Berlin-Johnson, the best-selling author of seven books, Social Critic and Technologist, will speak on the intersection of science, technology, and personal experience on “Creativity and the Brain – Where Do Great Ideas Come From?”Berlin-Johnson’s latest book is The Practice of Adaptive Leadership – Tools and Tactics for Changing Your Organization and the World, which is co-authored with Dr. Ronald Heifetz and Alexander Grashow. His writings have influenced everything from the way political campaigns use the Internet…to cutting-edge ideas for urban planning…to the battle against 21st century terrorism.
General Session Featured Speaker Gregg Steinberg, Wednesday, September 21: Speaking in the last General Session of the conference at 11 a.m., Gregg Steinberg, Sports Psychologist and Professor of Human Performance, will speak on “Full Throttle: How to Supercharge Your Energy and Performance at Work.” Steinberg is a world-renowned expert on human performance, and he has authored many book on topics ranging from golf psychology to parenting to this newly-release “Full Throttle,” which deals with work performance.
Of the over 150 educational sessions during this year’s Congress, many feature cutting edge technology and innovative solutions for public works. And, APWA’s education sessions are eligible for CEU credit, which is a nationally accepted measure of participation in continuing education activities that keeps participants current with the profession and industry.
APWA is following the lead of its members and stepping up efforts to make an even greener “Best Show in Public Works” event than in previous years. Efforts include electronic registration, printing on FSC certified paper, printing smaller Congress Previews and Programs, education sessions on green and sustainability issues, electronic speaker files, exercising a green procurement strategy, educating exhibitors with tips on implementing waste reduction, energy and water conservation, and clean air practices.
Details about sessions and speakers can be found on the APWA website regarding the 2011 APWA International Public Works Congress at: www.apwa.net. All media members are invited to attend APWA’s 2011 International Congress in Denver, and the press registration form can be found at: http://sites.apwa.net/Portals/66/11CEPressRegForm.pdf. Please send the completed APWA 2011 International Congress press registration form and/or any APWA media queries to Laura Bynum, APWA Media Relations/Communications Manager by fax to: 202.218.6737 or email to: lbynum@apwa.net.
About APWA
The American Public Works Association (www.apwa.net) is a not-for-profit, international organization of more than 28,500 members involved in the field of public works. Originally chartered in 1937, APWA serves its members by promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy and the exchange of knowledge. With 63 chapters throughout North America, APWA is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, and has an office in Washington, D.C.