2020 Virtual Conference Wrap Up & Save The Date 2021

As we are moving on from TAGITM’s first ever virtual conference in early September, I’d like to take a moment and reflect on the event itself, what we learned, and what’s in store for 2021. First off, a big thank you to everyone that made the virtual event an overwhelming success. It takes a small army to successfully pull off an event of this magnitude so kudos are in order to the committees, attendees, speakers, sponsors, CMP, and the board for working their way through the struggles of 2020 to make the occasion a reality.

There’s a high probability everyone reading this article knows all too well the need to pivot unexpectedly when it comes to delivering technology solutions. The 2020 virtual conference was yet another example of the flexibility and what can be accomplished when good folks put their minds together. In doing so we may have collectively discovered a proof-positive new methodology to deliver quality content for members. I suspect you’ll see an expansion of member service offerings via virtual means sooner rather than later.

Per the virtual event metrics, overall attendance was higher than any previous TAGITM event to date. The 2020 event tallied 702 registered attendees with 46 sponsors and exhibitors. Three hundred eighty-two of the attendees were government with some out-of-towners from beyond our borders -- how about that for Texas hospitality! All told there were 738 public and 957 private conversations within the event platform. Total registration numbers were up from 472 aggregate attendees at the 2019 annual conference, 232 being government.

The response to the 2020 event was overwhelmingly positive, but make no mistake there were some deficiencies identified that we will learn from moving forward. Challenge accepted. At the end of the day the consensus was that the first virtually held TAGITM event was indeed a resounding victory. If you weren’t able to attend please do check out the on-demand recordings, and if you’re not sure what to watch first a little birdie told me the CellTrust and round table discussions on cybersecurity were especially awesome.

With that stated, here’s some good news for everyone to look forward to. In the board meeting following the virtual event, it was decided TAGITM will plan for a return to some version of normalcy with respect to our 2021 annual conference. It was acknowledged there is much uncertainty with short-term safety restrictions, but it was decided we will move forward with planning the 2021 annual conference. Mark your calendars as we fully intend to host an in-person event April 19-21, 2021 at the Austin Renaissance Hotel. Despite being mildly disappointed the hotel refused to rename a meeting room after yours truly for the event (I did ask), I think we’ll have quite the show and experience for members and exhibitors alike as long as it is deemed we can do so safely leading up to the date. Here’s to what the future holds for TAGITM and the people that make it what it is. Thank you all for your engagement and I look forward to seeing everyone at upcoming events!

Sincerely,

Shane McDaniel
Conference Committee Chair