Dear IT Colleagues,

Maximize IT, the theme for this year’s Government IT Symposium, is a key ingredient to the larger reform agenda that is the hallmark of government today. Government programs depend on the efficiency of good IT to make them run, and how we maximize our own efficiency will determine how the State of Minnesota better serves its citizens. That means that you and your skills have never been recognized or needed more.

Maximize Your Learning Opportunities
With the new consolidation of all State IT, the Symposium offers a wealth of ways to maximize our efforts and talk about the future. What an excellent opportunity to learn about the latest technologies and trends in technology management, right here in our back yard! The planning committee has developed 130 conference sessions and half-day seminars that can maximize training dollars, with a program designed to address the needs of our State IT employees.

Maximize Your Contacts
This year’s event will also give employees valuable time to talk with peers from across the state to get to know one another better, to gather information and resources, and to problem solve current challenges. The Exhibit Hall will showcase the latest technologies and services available so we can be leading-edge in solutions that make government work.

Maximize Your Professional Growth
As we work together to create a new State IT vision that makes information technology MORE responsive than ever, we are also creating a new IT organization that gives all of us MORE opportunities to grow in our professions. This annual gathering is an opportune moment to fully experience common training that can help all of us better prepare for our common future. 

Maximize IT on Your Job
I invite you to join me at the 2011 Minnesota Government IT Symposium to capitalize on the valuable contacts, resources, and learning opportunities the Symposium provides in order to Maximize IT on your job.   

See you at the Symposium!

Carolyn Parnell
Minnesota State CIO