TAGITM 2021 Conference - Live and In Person - April 20-23

We’re doing this, folks! Back in September it was decided we would begin moving in the direction of having an in-person conference. The status, probability, and overlying vibe in respective parts of the state with respect to the pandemic versus the in-person event was discussed early and often. The board was ready to pivot quickly if need be. Late in 2020, surveys went out to gauge where member organizations were at with organizational restrictions and budgets for travel. Lo and behold, here we are. It’s go time, people!

It was a judicious process every step of the way. Careful consideration has been and continues to be given towards attendee safety. Despite the unknowns, the organization kept pushing forward and has definitively locked in the in-person event happening at the Renaissance Austin Hotel on April 20-23, 2021. My personal experience with TAGITM only goes back five years, but I suspect 2021’s in-person event will be unlike any of the preceding events before it. TAGITM brings together education, networking, and fun better than any organization I have had the privilege to be a member of prior. My money says that will not change even if we have to take a few extra precautions to ensure everyone stays safe.

The conference agenda has been posted on the website. If you haven’t seen it yet, I want to warn you it is awesome! The Education Committee deserves kudos for putting together an impressive ensemble. A big thank you and congratulations goes out to all the members and partners selected to host a session. I did hear a little insider information that the 9:45 session on Thursday morning discussing CIS Controls will be where all the cool kids are at. VIP ropes and red carpet was requested for that particular session, CMP is hard at work getting all that sorted out. Regardless, the event will be chock full of outstanding sessions, sponsors, vendor booths, and all kinds of opportunities to bring knowledge and value back home to your city, county, and/or ISD.

2020 was quite the curveball for all of us. Working in our chosen profession we had no choice but to trudge forward to keep the lights on, the backend operational, the transactions processing, emails flowing, and so much more. When most of the world shut down, local governments kept going. Municipal government technology professionals transitioned as necessary to ensure the departments we support had what was needed to meet our obligations to constituents. It feels like there’s light at the end of the tunnel and maybe, just maybe, we’re coming out of this long, dark winter. TAGITM certainly is, and we hope to see each and every member there with us in Austin this coming April 20-23. Let’s do this!

Shane McDaniel
TAGITM Conference Chair