Tech Conference Returning to Bloomington
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA technology event next week in Bloomington is expected to attract more than 900 industry professionals. The 19th annual Statewide IT Conference at Indiana University will feature a keynote from a New York Times columnist and discussions on digital education, 3D printing and women in technology-related fields. October 3, 2014
News Release
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (August 26, 2014) – Prepare to be inspired about the future of technology by some of the biggest names in the field at this year's Statewide IT Conference, October 7-8 on the Indiana University Bloomington campus.
New York Times technology columnist and author Nick Bilton will deliver the keynote address at the event, and will talk about the future of technology and how its evolution will influence students and the IT community at IU. Bilton is a Times technology and business columnist and lead blogger for the paper’s “Bits” blog, with a background spanning design, journalism, hardware hacking, data visualization, and photojournalism. The Bilton keynote is sponsored by The Media School at IU and Matrix Integration.
Now in its 19th year, Statewide IT is an annual gathering of IT professionals from eight campuses who come together to learn about new technologies and initiatives and plan for the future. “The IU Statewide IT Conference has grown to be the preeminent event for IT professionals, students, and many members of the IU community,” said Brad Wheeler, IU vice president for information technology and CIO. “This annual gathering enables IU IT professionals from all departments and on all campuses to grow their knowledge, skills, and personal relationships to be more effective in service of an ever evolving IU.”
This year's theme, “Making It Click,” refers to the satisfaction of working together as a team, from the smallest project to the biggest initiative. Attendees will notice colorful LEGO bricks and figures throughout the conference serving as visual analogies of the theme.
In addition to Bilton, Statewide IT will feature additional keynotes:
“Unizin: The road ahead for digital education” is a panel discussion about Unizin, a consortium of research universities creating a technology service that supports teaching and learning in the modern digital landscape. IU is a founding partner. Wheeler will moderate the panelists, who include Lauren Robel, executive vice president and provost, IU Bloomington; Joe Glover, provost, University of Florida (appearing via video); and James Hilton, dean of libraries and vice provost for digital education and innovation, University of Michigan (appearing via video).
“Lunch with the vice presidents,” will feature a conference wrap-up by Wheeler and a discussion on making it click across all of IU, featuring discussions with MaryFrances McCourt, senior vice president, chief financial officer, and treasurer; Thomas Morrison, vice president for capital planning and facilities; and William B. Stephan, vice president for engagement.
All keynotes are free and open to the entire IU community.
Statewide offers many opportunities for learning, and this year’s attendees can choose from more than 70 breakout sessions on topics such as 3D printing at IU, finding a mentor, managing code with Git-Flow, and exploring flipped classrooms. The new Gender + Technology track is sponsored by The Center of Excellence for Women in Technology, an interdisciplinary collaboration at IU Bloomington addressing the national need to increase women's participation at all stages in technology-related fields; and IU Women in IT, a staff-led organization focused on advancing women in technology on all eight IU campuses.
As the social and networking event of the IU IT professional season, Statewide always offers many opportunities for colleague camaraderie. Some highlights will include:
Robot Rumble — Teams from across IU will compete in sumo battles with LEGO Mindstorms EV3 robots.
Back Alley Bowling — Join Associate Vice President Rob Lowden and Aaron Neal at the Indiana Memorial Union to see how you stack up against IT colleagues.
B-town Crawlabout — Join AVPs Dennis Cromwell and Sue Workman as they explore some of Bloomington's favorite haunts. Stops will include Quaff ON!, Nick's, Upland, and the Irish Lion.
To register for Statewide IT and to learn more about the schedule, presenters, and accommodations, visit: http://statewideit.iu.edu
Source: Indiana University