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2022 Veterans Conference

The COVID-19 pandemic forced both the 2020 and 2021 conferences to be virtual, but using that forum also allowed significantly more people to participate than in previous years. A total of 1,353 people registered for the 2021 conference– a 230% increase over the 588 who attended in person in 2019. Most attendees were state employees who work directly with Veterans, eligible spouses and Transitioning Service Members, along with the Federal partners, employers and Veteran Service Organizations. We will soon be announcing keynote and plenary speakers for 2022. We will again be at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington DC. 

Conference Wrap-Up

The National Association of State Workforce Agencies held its ninth annual Veterans conference on June 28-30, 2022. It was great to gather in person again for the first time in three years! In addition to four keynote speakers, the event included an employer panel, five other plenary speakers, 18 different workshops and presentation of the Mark Sanders Award for excellence. 

We hope you can join us for the 2023 Veterans Conference in Washington, DC on August 2 - 4, 2023! 

441 Total persons registered, representing 39 states, the District of Columbia, & Costa Rica. 95% Percentage of people who said their conference experience was excellent or above average.

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Keynote Speakers 


 

General Stanley McChrystal

General Stanley McChrystal

Four Star General Stan McChrystal is the former commander of US and International Forces in Afghanistan.

After graduating from West Point in 1976, General McChrystal served for 34 years – much of that time commanding special forces and airborne infantry units.

His address at the 2022 NASWA Veterans Conference, “Lessons in Leadership,” is being sponsored by eightfold.ai

In dynamic presentations on leadership, General Stan McChrystal shares lessons based on leading and innovating one of the world’s largest organizations. Modern warfare and business demand the same no-nonsense leadership that drives change and implements it across large organizations. He reveals the power of culture, communication, and relationships, sharing stories, experiences, and principles that make his points. McChrystal addresses such key leadership principles as transparency and inclusion, leveraging the power of teams through relationships, leading by influence, relentless mission focus, and sharing a clear vision with everyone who must execute against it.

 

Full Biography


 

Richard Pimentel

Disability Advocate Richard Pimentel

Back by popular demand! A lot of you have asked, and disability advocate Richard Pimentel is making a return visit to the NASWA Vets Conference. He will be one of four keynote speakers, and will also present a workshop.

Richard lost his hearing while serving in Vietnam. His story was told in the feature film, “The Music Within.” He also helped write the ADA, and developed training materials aimed to help employers integrate persons with disabilities into the workplace. 

He is being sponsored by CVS Health/Aetna.

 

 

Full Biography


 

Jennie Taylor

Gold Star Wife Jennie Taylor

Jennie Taylor is the widow of Army Major Brent Taylor, who was killed in Afghanistan by a member of the Afghan security forces in 2018. The National Guard officer was on his fourth year-long tour at the time.

At the time of his death, Major Taylor was also the mayor of North Ogden, Utah, and the father of seven children – the youngest less than a year old.

Jennie has since started the Major Brent Taylor Foundation, and was appointed a civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army in Utah.

She is being sponsored by Google.

 

Read More


 

Cedric King

Retired Army Master Sergeant Cedric King

On July 25, 2012, during his second tour in Afghanistan, Master Sergeant King was severely injured by an IED which caused permanent damage to his right arm and the amputation of both legs. Within 21 months of his injury, he ran the Boston Marathon on prosthetic blades. He has finished five marathons - three on blades, one in a wheelchair, and in 2021, on a handcycle, completing the course in 2:15:17 (The winning time for runners was 2:09:51). Master Sergeant King is being sponsored by Microsoft.

 

 

 

 


Follow @NASWAORG and join the conversation on Twitter #NASWAVets22

 

2022 Veterans Conference Schedule

View ProgramView Speaker Bios

Concurrent Breakout Session: Building Career Paths for Service-Disabled Veterans in the Clean Energy Industry

Though increasingly optimistic about the future outlook, many industry leaders face major hurdles to recruit and hire experienced candidates to fill the growing number of clean energy jobs. At least one in five Americans has a disability and one in three Veterans identifies as disabled. Apprenticeship programs that are designed to be inclusive of people with disabilities can play a vital role in building out the clean energy industry’s future workforce and creating career opportunities for veterans. This talent pipeline offers a cadre of trained and experienced job candidates with diverse skill sets, knowledge, and abilities. The U.S. Department of Labor-funded Partnership on Inclusive Apprenticeship (PIA) collaborates with employers and apprenticeship partners to design apprenticeship programs that meet employer talent needs and enable people with disabilities, including Veterans, to gain credentials and skills to succeed in growing industries. The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) administers the U.S. Department of Energy-funded Solar Ready Veterans, a program that connects transitioning military service members and Veterans with career opportunities in the solar industry. Together, presenters from these organizations will shed light on the critical nexus of accessibility and the clean energy industry, one of the key sources of jobs of the future.
Wilson / Roosevelt

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Conference FAQs

How do I cancel my registration?

In the Registration Confirmation email you received from NASWA Meetings after registering for the conference, follow the instructions to modify your registration. You'll need your confirmation number and the email address used to complete the registration to access your registration. Click, "Cancel Registration" and follow the instructions to complete your cancellation.

If you do not have your confirmation email, please contact NASWA-Meetings@naswa.org to request a duplicate.

How do I transfer my registration to someone else?

In the Registration Confirmation email you received from NASWA Meetings after registering for the conference, follow the instructions to modify your registration. You'll need your confirmation number and the email address used to complete the registration to access your registration. Click, "Transfer Registration" and follow the instructions to substitute an attendee. 

If you do not have your Registration Confirmation email, please contact NASWA-Meetings@naswa.org to request a duplicate.

How can I download a copy of my registration invoice/receipt?

In the Registration Confirmation email you received from NASWA Meetings after registering for the conference, click the link to view/print your invoice/receipt.

If you do not have your confirmation email, please contact NASWA-Meetings@naswa.org to request a duplicate.

What are the cancellation and refund policies?

Attendees will receive a full refund on cancellation requests. No cancellation fees will be applied.

I have a question about a NASWA event. How do I contact NASWA?

If you have a question about a specific NASWA meeting or event, please contact NASWA-Meetings@naswa.org.

2022 Veterans Conference Presentations

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Thursday, June 30, 2022

Photos

HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOLS


Your Health & Safety Is Our Priority. In an effort to provide an engaging and participatory experience while keeping the health & safety of attendees as our priority, we are instituting the following protocols consistent with local, state, and federal CDC Guidelines and recommendations for COVID-19 community levels.

Washington, D.C. COVID-19 Community-Level Status


Please check this page frequently for changes and updates based on Community-Level Status.

Pre-Seminar

  • Register in advance: All attendees must register in advance by 5:00 p.m. (ET) on Tuesday, June 14, 2022.  
    • Register  
      • There will be no onsite registration
      • Attendees will find their name badge at their assigned seat in the ballroom
  • Feeling ill? Please do not plan to attend if you are feeling ill or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. 
    • If you become sick and must cancel plans to attend the Seminar or committee meetings, contact NASWA Meetings

At the Seminar

  • Vaccinations NOT required
    • Vaccinations are not required, but strongly encouraged
    • NASWA staff in attendance will all be fully vaccinated
  • Masks NOT required
    • Masks are not required, but are encouraged for those who choose to mask or are immunocompromised
  • No-Touch Check-In
    • Registration information & name badges will be available at attendees' assigned seats
  • Assigned Seating
    • All registered attendees will have assigned seating (more information coming soon on how to access your assigned seat)
  • Name Badges at Seat
    • Name badges will be available at your assigned seat 
  • Health & Safety Resources
    • Hand sanitizer and masks will be available to all attendees throughout the meeting space
    • Urgent care center information is available at the bottom of this page
  • How Do You Feel?
    • Attendees must check for signs of illness and symptoms of COVID-19 each morning prior to attending the event and/or meeting(s)
  • Contact Us:
    • Should you have to discontinue participation after becoming ill while onsite, please contact NASWA meetings

Post-Seminar

  • If you receive a positive COVID-19 diagnosis within 14 days of attending the event, please inform NASWA so that we can perform the necessary follow-up.

 

Questons? Contact NASWA Meetings 

 

Thanks to Our Sponsors

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