Assistants and Professional Staff Networking Session   

Session Description: Come and join us to network with your fellow professionals on pertinent topics. This is an opportunity to establish your own personal network among other IGFOA members.  

Led by:
Jodie Andrew, IGFOA Assistant Representative

Associates Members Forum

Session Description: Discover the myriad ways IGFOA Associate Members can support professional public finance management. Share tips for working with the public sector.

Led by:
Sam Blahnik, IGFOA Associate Representative

Special District Members Forum

Session description: Join special district finance officers and staff to discuss
financial/budget management issues that are “hot” in your district, training needs, and getting the most out of IGFOA membership.

Led by:
to be announced

New and first time attendees gathering

Session description:

Join an informal gathering as the Membership Committee welcomes first time attendees, reviews the schedule and shares tips for getting the most out of the conference.

Led by:

IGFOA Membership Committee

Cash Management: Economic Update

Session Description: Participants will hear about past and recent economic indicators covering inflation, consumer confidence, economic growth, housing and real estate, employment, and spending and sales. This session will discuss the significance of the past and current trends on the near-term future of the economy.

Learning Objectives: Identify trends for the future based on past and current economic data, Explore options for the future based on pending and current legislative actions, and Discuss planning and other possible actions to take based on economic reports.

Speaker:
Maureen Kelliher, Senior Vice President and Senior Investment Officer,  Citizens Financial/Charter One Bank

Earn about 1 CPE

Hot Topic: Going Green-What Your Local Government Can Do

Session Description: This session will highlight steps local governments can take to improve the environmental and energy efficiency of their operations. The presenter will describe how to create a green plan that will lead to reduced environmental impacts; efficient use of energy and other resources; lower operating costs; and enhanced community image. You will be given examples of practical environmental improvement projects and provided with a list of resources to help your organization get started with a green program.

Learning Objectives: Understand the importance of being a good environmental steward and Learn about ways to foster environmental change within your organization

Speaker:
Kevin Greene, Illinois EPA

Earn about 1 CPE

Cash Management: Developing an Investment Policy

Session Description: In these turbulent economic times, have you updated your investment policies? Does the change in FDIC limits affect your collateralization policies? Is the bank you’re using compliant with your collateral agreement? Make sure your policies are reflective of your objectives, including safety and returns, as well as investment vehicles allowable.

Learning Objectives: Learn what Illinois Statutes currently allow, Find out what collateral is currently needed, and Review samples of current policies.

Speakers:
Dan Berg, Sikich LLP   

Earn about 1 CPE

Hot Topic: Legislative Committee Update

Session Description: Learn what actions the 96th General Assembly took that will impact local government fiscal conditions such as pension reform and the State's FY10 budget.  Also discuss measures that are pending for the fall veto session and next General Assembly.

Learning Objectives: Gain an understanding of key legislative measures with financial impacts for local governments.

Speakers:

Taylor Anderson, Anderson Legislative Consulting

Earn about 1 CPE

Cash Management: Investing in the Current Environment

Session Description: During this session you will hear information about the various investment options that should provide safety, liquidity, and yield in our current economic situation. You will find out about the benefits of investing in intergovernmental pools, fixed investments, and other strategies for success such as understanding how the debt market is affected by the current investment market.

Learning Objectives: Identify fixed income investment strategies and Explore benefits of intergovernmental pooling.

Speakers:

Laura Allen, IMET
Linda Ciaglia, First Trust Portfolios

Traci Pleckham, Village of Plainfield

Earn about 1 CPE

Hot Topic: Economic Stimulus Impacts and GASB Updates

Session Description: Review the impact Economic Stimulus programs have on local governments, including updates on funding progress and reporting requirements. These federal dollars may impact your single audit preparation and reporting. Also hear the latest on GASB’s newest pronouncements, GASB’s No. 54 – 56, issued since September 2008 and how they will impact your government’s reporting.

Learning Objectives: Understand how the Economic Stimulus programs are impacting local governments and review how latest GASB pronouncements will impact government reporting

Speakers:
David Farmer, Baker Tilley Virchow Krause LLP

Christine Torres, Crowe Horwath LLP

Earn about 1 CPE

Cash Management: Important Aspects of Cash Management and How to Manage Cash Positions

Session Description: Ever wonder if you are doing all you can in managing your cash? In this session you will hear from a panel of your colleagues as they discuss cash management issues, options, challenges, and successes. Bring your cash management questions and join us as our panel discusses the practical aspects of cash management. We will discuss: how you identify idle cash, matching revenues and expenses, the reports you give your Board, how to explain your investment policy to your Board, how you find new investment vehicles, and brokered CDs vs. traditional CDs.

Learning Objectives:Obtain helpful information from colleagues on practical solutions for handling cash management issues, Explore various cash management options based on individual community needs, and Discuss recent cash management challenges based on the economy and other factors.

Speaker:
Richard Schnuer, City of Champaign

Mark Nannini, City of Crystal Lake
Scott Bordui, Village of Flossmoor

Steve Noble, Village of Libertyville

Earn 1 CPE

Hot Topic: What’s New In Municipal Ratings

Session Description: Learn what actions the 95th GeneIn this session we will cover various topics relating to local government bond ratings from a rating agency's perspective.  Featured will be a discussion on criteria changes for GO and utility revenue debt that have led to a number of rating increases in 2008 and 2009.  Also to be addressed will be the economy’s impact on local government bond ratings with a special emphasis on Illinois, and recent state rating actions.

Learning Objectives: To better understand local government bond ratings

Speakers:

John Kenward, Standard & Poor's Ratings Group

Earn 1 CPE

Cash Management: Forecasting Cash Flow - Tools, Tips and Tactics Beyond Investment Processes

Session Description: Daily cash management is more than simply making sure the money is invested. This session goes beyond the general investment of available cash and provides additional education regarding the establishment of good cash management practices and policies – including a discussion on building simple but effective cash management forecasting models. We will also look at the ways to use cash management information to provide advance notice of pending financial situations, simple ”double checks” to provide additional support to monthly financial reporting processes, long term financial goal setting, clarification for use of revenues and transfers between funds etc.

Learning Objectives:   Review simple cash management processes and procedures, Learn how to establish basic cash flow modeling and approaches to cash flow modeling, review "best practices” approach to cash management, and learn how to use cash flow reports for short and long term financial planning.

Speakers:
Tim Matthews, PMA Financial Network, Inc.
Linda Matkowski, PMA Financial Network, Inc.

Earn about 1 CPE

Hot Topic: Recent Developments in Funding Illinois Public Pension Plans

Session Description: Review recent developments in funding Illinois public pension plans including the impact of recent market losses on funding of Illinois public pension plans; options available to lessen the impact of recent market losses on contribution requirements; and assessing the appropriateness of actuarial assumptions used by Illinois public pension plans in the current environment.

Learning Objectives: Become familiar with the impact of recent market drops on funding Illinois public pension plans and learn about options available to lessen the impact of recent market losses on contribution requirements.

Speakers:
Sandor Goldstein, Goldstein & Associates

Earn 1 CPE

Cash Management: Collateralization Issues & Options

Session Description: Public Funds Managers face many challenges in collateralizing deposits. This session will provide participants with information on the options available such as traditional collateral accounts, a service to utilize different bank FDIC Insurance through a network of banks (CDARS), and utilization of different bank charters within a holding company. You will learn about the strategies available to you along with hearing the highlights and challenges of each program.

Learning Objectives: Identify collateral options, Explore the benefits and challenges of different strategies, and Discuss changes to current options based on FDIC Insurance modifications.

Speakers:
Todd Sholeen, Charter One Bank
Bobbie Baker, Promontory Interfinancial Network

Aimee Briles, Wintrust Financial Corp

Earn about 1 CPE

Hot Topic: Becoming a Better Negotiator

Session Description: Overview of the negotiations process with tips, tricks and skills for savvy negotiators. Explore how to apply these new approaches to common negotiating situations that most people face routinely (ie, new job salary offers, automobile purchase, hotel discounts, etc.). Gain confidence to ask for concessions and discounts.

Learning Objectives: Become familiar with different negotiating tactics and gain confidence to ask for concessions and discounts.

Speaker:
Joyce Grenis, Sikich LLP

Earn about 1 CPE

Wellness: What's in it for your organization?

Session Description: Review the hot issues in health care and strategies designed to lower risk and better manage costs.

Learning Objectives: Identify benefits of wellness programs

Speaker:

David W. Hall, Wellness Inc.

Earn about 1 CPE

Cash Management: Borrowing Alternatives under the Stimulus Program

Session Description: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 contains a number of tax provisions affecting the issuance of tax-exempt obligations, tax credit obligations and hybrid tax credit obligations that will be highlighted during the session.

Learning Objectives: Learn about “Build America Bonds,” a new category of hybrid tax credit obligations. Learning about a newly created type of tax-exempt bond and a newly created hybrid tax credit bond for use, in each case, within “recovery zones.” Learn about New Clean Renewable Energy Bonds and Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds. Discuss financing opportunities for cities and villages

Speaker:
Kelly Kost, Chapman & Cutler

Earn about 1 CPE

Hot Topic: Budgeting in a Down Economy

Session Description: Most often there are no written policies and procedures to guide you through difficult times. Come and expand your financial tool kit and learn how your peers are facing the challenges of today. Time will be allotted for participants to exchange ideas with each other.    

Learning Objectives:   Identify opportunities to improve techniques used to keep your budget balanced, learn how to support difficult financial decisions, and explore techniques to communicate fiscal condition to key stakeholders.

Speakers:
Ron Hill, Town of Normal
Gloria Osborn, City of Galesburg

Earn about 1 CPE

Cash Management: Developing an RFP for Banking Services

Session Description: This session will explore the important considerations and components when developing an RFP for Banking Services. You will be engaged in defining a scope, discussing practical steps and determining procedures to ensure a successful issuance of the RFP. Insightful perspectives will be exchanged on how to evaluate responses. Session information will be provided from both a bank’s and Finance Director’s point of view together with thoughts and input from other experiences.

Learning Objectives:   Identify the important components of an RFP for Banking Services, Discuss the bank’s information needs in order to receive a complete response to your RFP, and Explore concepts, considerations and techniques to use when assessing responses.

Speakers:
Susan Floetl, JPMorgan Chase Bank
Scott Anderson, Village of Buffalo Grove

Earn about 1 CPE

Hot Topic: Reduce Expenditures/ Increase Efficiency through Intergovernmental Cooperation and Sharing

Session Description: You have heard the words," Intergovernmental Cooperation/ Sharing", but what do they mean? Join this informative session and find out what Cooperation/Sharing is, the benefits of cooperation/sharing and discuss various examples with a panel of speakers. Get your questions answered and explore what possibilities may exist in your communities!

Learning Objectives:Learn what intergovernmental cooperation is, opportunities that currently exist and what may be forthcoming, and explore the cost savings of sharing

Speaker:
Rita Trainor, Wheaton Park District

Lisa Happ, Village of Carpentersville

Jim Egeberg, City of Rolling Meadows

Elliot Becker, Wheeling Park District

Earn about 1 CPE

Wellness: What's in it for your organization?

Session Description: Review the hot issues in health care and strategies designed to lower risk and better manage costs.

Learning Objectives: Identify benefits of wellness programs

Speaker:

David W. Hall, Wellness Inc.

Earn about 1 CPE