Dear Government IT Colleagues,

The theme for this year’s Government IT Symposium, Trusting IT: Is There an App for That?, is particularly relevant in a year when leadership is changing at the top.

As the new administration comes on board at the State of Minnesota, I hope you will apply all of your knowledge and skills to demonstrate the ways in which technology can enable government reform. The challenges have never been more daunting and the need for people resources has never been greater. And “trust” is the key. If there is trust, there’s no limit to what we can do, by working together, to improve government at all levels, in all corners of the state.

As the theme implies, a quick solution does not exist for gaining trust for your profession and for technology’s potential as a business reengineering tool. The proof is in the way you partner with the business and community leaders of the State and the solutions that you provide. Ultimately, such partnerships will result in services that improve the lives of Minnesota’s citizens.

I want to personally thank each and every one of you for the work you have done over the past five years to serve Minnesota. Your hard work has already made a difference but there’s more to do.

As always, I urge you to attend the 2010 Minnesota Government IT Symposium. With its affordable fees, local venue, and wealth of sessions and expertise, the Symposium is an exceptional value. It provides the thought leadership we need on the questions and issues before us, the opportunity to share what’s working with your colleagues, and the technical information needed to move ahead. And you can trust the Symposium to provide many apps for that!

Sincerely,

Gopal Khanna
Minnesota State CIO