Professional Development Conference

A:  Each year, Business Resource Group (BRG) members are invited to join an ICSEW speaker selection committee to review and discuss speaker applications. This committee completes an asynchronous evaluation of applications where committee members rate sessions based on general interest, budgetary constraints, and topic diversity within the conference theme. The committee then discusses the evaluation results and moves forward with top ranking speakers we can accommodate within our conference budget.  

A: The presentations are recorded and available in the conference materials (link on the conference page) for 30 days following each conference. Recordings will be added within one week after the original presentation.  

A: To reduce distractions, attendees will be muted, and chat will be disabled by default at the beginning of each session. Chat will be opened for brief periods when the presenter wants to interact with the audience. The Zoom Q&A feature will be used to ask questions of the presenter.  

A: This is determined by the presenter and may vary by presentation.    

A: We are providing American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters and Communication and Real-time Translation (CART) for all virtual sessions. Please email icsew@ofm.wa.gov if you require other accommodations to participate.  

A: We will provide ASL interpreters for in-person sessions. If additional accommodations are needed for these sessions, please indicate the type required on your registration form. Additionally, we aim to secure wheelchair-accessible locations for our in-person sessions.  

A: Usually, coffee and light refreshments will be provided. If you registered for an in-person session and need to cancel, please email icsew@ofm.wa.gov so we manage state resources appropriately.  

A: There are several ways to be involved.  Joining ICSEW as a general member, a sub-committee member, or as a sponsor are just a few. If you are a passionate subject matter expert on a topic, you could even be a presenter! 

A: If you are interested in being a sponsor, please send an email to icsew@ofm.wa.gov. You can also follow your agency’s protocol to forward conference information to agency management and encourage them to consider becoming a sponsor.