2023 Workforce Innovation Conference

A Focus on Talent Recruitment and Retention



Please join us in Manhattan, Kansas for the annual Workforce Innovation Conference, hosted by the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas Board of Regents. For just $100, you will gain access to a series of presentations and workshops to enhance and improve workforce solutions in Kansas. Plus, Tuesday's schedule features Local Area discussion groups that provide an opportunity for each local area to discuss takeaways from the conference and share ideas that can be implemented in their area.

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Sarabeth Berk is the leading expert on hybrid professional identity and career belonging. She was featured in Forbes, is a TEDx speaker and is the author of More Than My Title. Dr. Berk’s formal title is Chief of Staff at Talent to Team, but she calls herself a Creative Disruptor because she works at the intersection of being an artist, researcher, educator, and designer. It took an identity crisis for her to realize she actually integrates these identities together and that’s where her unique value lies.


Through groundbreaking research, Dr. Berk developed a one-of-a-kind approach that takes personal branding and career development to a whole new level. Today, she helps professionals discover and articulate their professional identity and unique value in the workforce. As a result, her clients feel more seen, empowered and confident, and teams recognize each other as more than their job titles, valuing the critical yet different roles of experts, generalists, and hybrids in the workforce.


Dr. Berk obtained her PhD from the University of Denver, and has degrees from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Rhode Island School of Design. She resides in Boulder, Colorado with her two pups (a golden retriever and miniature schnauzer) and partner who is also a hybrid professional.


FURTHER INFORMATION


Book: More Than My Title: The Power of Hybrid Professionals in a Workforce of Experts and Generalists

Workbook: More Than My Title: Find Your Hybrid Professional Identity


TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZg6jaMIvIE

Website: www.morethanmytitle.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sarabethberk/

General Session Speaker

Ed O’Malley joined the Kansas Health Foundation in 2022 as president and CEO.

 

O’Malley came to KHF after 15 years at the Kansas Leadership Center, a non-profit organization committed to fostering leadership for stronger, healthier and more prosperous Kansas communities. He joined KLC, which is primarily funded by KHF, in 2007 as its founding president and CEO—taking the organization from a new startup to an internationally recognized leadership training hub. Under O’Malley’s leadership, KLC played a significant role increasing the number of diverse and underrepresented groups in civic leadership throughout Kansas.

 

Prior to his time at KLC, O’Malley served two terms as a state representative in the Kansas Legislature, gained experience in the private sector and worked on the staff of Governor Bill Graves. He is active in civic organizations, including as past board chair of the Boys and Girls Club of South Central Kansas and chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Board for the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce. He has also been on an advisory committee for the Colorado Health Foundation, a director for the Beta Theta Pi National Fraternity and a coach for youth sports.

 

O’Malley holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Kansas State University. He has also completed the Emerging Leaders Streetwise MBA program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration and received executive training from the Harvard Business School and the Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Conference Schedule

Pre-Conference

Monday, October 2

Tuesday, October 3

Learning Tracks

Conference Information

An innovative conference for those who engage in workforce solutions.

October 2-3, 2023

Hosted by the Kansas Department of Commerce and Kansas Board of Regents


Location

Hilton Garden Inn & Manhattan Conference Center (map)

Room Rate: $115


To expedite your reservation – BE SURE TO make reservations as soon as possible.

The special room rate will be available until Friday, September 8, 2023, or until room block is sold-out, whichever comes first.


WORKFORCE INNOVATION CONFERENCE

Code: 90R

Dates: Oct 1-3, 2023

Hotel Address: 410 South 3rd Street

Manhattan, KS 66502

Phone Number: 785-532-9116

Reservation guidelines: To secure a guest room reservation, a credit card will be required. Reservations cancelled within 48 hours of arrival will incur a charge for the first night’s Room/Tax charge.

Check-In/Out Time: Our check-in time is 3 PM; check-out time is 12 PM. All guests arriving before 3 PM will be accommodated as rooms become available.

Need a back-up hotel? Click below for the reservation code.


Fairfield Inn Manhattan

300 Colorado Street Manhattan, Kansas 66502

785-539-2400


Room block will be released at midnight on Friday 9/22 for the Fairfield.

Registration

$100 includes conference and meals

Call for Presentations

You are invited to submit presentation proposals for the 2023 Workforce Innovation Conference. Proposals should include presentations on relevant topics for a variety of attendees, including elected officials, government employees, business and industry, university/college/technical education providers, economic development professionals, workforce development professionals and partners and stakeholders in the workforce field. Presentation Applications are due June 23!

Sponsorship Opportunities 

This is an opportunity for businesses and organizations to be a sponsor for the annual Workforce Innovation Conference. Sponsors have opportunities to interface with attendees at vendor booths, social events and meals, in addition to branding opportunities on conference materials of all types.

Click below for more:

Sponsors

Hosted By

Contact

Questions about the conference? 

Contact Paula Downs, Talent Initiatives Manager

Public Policy & Management Center at Wichita State University

[email protected] OR (316) 978-6678