CALL FOR PROPOSALS
CWA 2015 Regional Workforce Development Conference
Innovations and Opportunities: The New Game Plan
May 12 – 14, 2015
Hyatt Regency Orange County
Anaheim, California
PROMINENT ROLE OF WIOA IMPLEMENTATION
Innovations and Opportunities: The New Game Plan refers to the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and the changes that are intended
and called for within this new landmark Federal law. All proposers should be
mindful of how their idea connects back to some of the challenges and
opportunities with implementing WIOA, as well as to best practices that should
continue.
Since the first Program Year of WIOA begins on July 1st, 2015, we anticipate
higher than normal Conference attendance and have made adjustments in our
space at they Hyatt accordingly. The Conference will also be the first major
gathering in the Western U.S. following the publication of the Proposed
Implementing Federal Regulations, anticipated sometime in the Spring of this
year that will be released by the U.S. Department of Labor.
CONFERENCE STRUCTURE
The Conference will allow attendees to customize their learning experiences in a
way that matches their learning style and content needs.
Proposers should indicate where you think it best fits within this structure.
OPEN exCHANGE
OPEN exCHANGE is a dynamic forum where new ideas can be shared and
debated. Initiated by thought leaders, session participants have the option to
join the exchange as they enter the “fish bowl” to provide new and stimulating
ideas, provoking novel solutions to persistent challenges faced by workforce
professionals and educators throughout the state.
These sessions should not use PowerPoints. Rather, proposers will talk about the
issue around which they would like to lead a discussion, and facilitate the
discussion.
Strategic Industry Dialogues
Drawing on successful Industry Sector Partnerships, we hope local areas will
submit proposals that feature business representatives from healthcare,
manufacturing, logistics/ transportation, value added ag, ICT, and other
emerging sectors. These sessions ideally will feature industry leaders and allow
attendees to engage with business leaders and learn first hand the needs, niches
and partnership opportunities that exist within some of our fastest growing and
important industry sectors.
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Peer-To-Peer Learning
Attendees vary in their experience level, and benefit from learning about best
practices that reflect good, standard workforce practices. We would like
workforce professionals, educators, and others to share successful strategies,
programs, policies, management practices, etc. and/or lead discussions that
respond to important issues in today’s operating environment.
Skill Enhancement Training
It is intended that these sessions teach specific skills that are immediately
applicable to the day-to-day work of attendees, e.g. convening skills, case
management skills, planning skills, etc.
New Idea Marketplace
These short “quickshops” will allow attendees to learn about either new resources
(software, weblinks, publications, etc.) or to be exposed to new ways of doing
business, i.e. small incremental or large game-changing innovations that they
can incorporate into their programs and/or services.
WORKSHOP PROPOSAL DEADLINE
Due Date: Monday, March 2, 2015
Proposers are encouraged to submit prior to that date.
Applicants will be notified by April 1, 2015 as to the outcome and acceptance.
CONFERENCE START & END TIMES
PreConference Sessions: 9:00 – 11:30 am, Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Conference Begins: 12:45 pm, Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Conference Ends: Noon, Thursday, May 14, 2015
CONFERENCE HOTEL AND HYATT REGENCY RESERVATIONS
Hyatt Regency Orange County
11999 Harbor Blvd
Garden Grove, CA 92840
Presenters are responsible for their own hotel reservations. We encourage you to
make your reservations now. Online Reservations:
https://aws.passkey.com/event/11761918/owner/4882/home
Hyatt Regency Reservations: 714-750-1234 or 800-916-4339 (toll free)
Special CWA rate is $159/ night. Cut off date for room block is Monday, April 13th.
Mention the CWA Conference to reserve a room at the discounted rate.
***We reserve a block of rooms at a reduced conference rate. After the block is
filled, you will pay a premium price for rooms (if available) or locate lodging
elsewhere. CWA has no designated overflow hotels.
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FOR WORKSHOP PRESENTERS
All workshop presenters must register for the Conference!
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We ask your understanding and cooperation in abiding by the following
registration policy regarding presenters.
www.calworkforce.org and click on the Spring Conference tab.
WORKSHOP ONLY RATE:
No Charge
This applies to presenters who come only to present and then leave the
Conference.
ONE DAY PRESENTER RATE
$300.
Presenter is given access to other Conference sessions and functions on the day
of your presentation.
FULL CONFERENCE PRESENTER RATE
$475.
Presenter has access to all functions and sessions throughout the entire
Conference, including receptions, continental breakfasts, a luncheon, and all
refreshment breaks.
NUMBER OF ATTENDEES
We anticipate that 450 - 500 individuals will attend the Conference.
AUDIENCE COMPOSITION
Conference participants are engaged both in policy and program
implementation related to education, training, employment and business
services at the local, state and national level.
Attendees work for government, nonprofit and for profit agencies, and
education. These include workforce and economic developent departments,
community colleges, rehabilitation and county welfare agencies, private
schools, K-12, and apprenticeship programs.
PROPOSAL TOPICS
A wide range of topics will be considered for inclusion into the Conference
Program. Some suggestions include: industry sector partnerships; regional
planning and regional work; industry recognized certifications and credentials;
adult education, literacy, work ethic and soft skills; innovation by design and
through evidenced based initiatives; the new work of the Workforce
Development Boards; the employment of individuals with disabilities; and
recruitment and engagement of out-of-school youth.
Other sessions will also be considered that feature career pathway initiatives;
pay for performance strategies; bridge programs that link secondary and post
secondary training; high school dropout recovery efforts; work based learning
opportunities; strengthening program evaluation; new program performance
measures and accountability; the efficiency and effectiveness of America’s Job
Centers; and other issues anticipated with the implementation of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act.
In general, workforce development covers a large array of programs and
initiatives that matter to our businesses, our workers, and our communities.
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That would include labor market analysis and proper use of labor market
intelligence, as well as training that meets industry needs and addresses critical
skill shortages. Successes and experiences with supporting the creation of jobs,
self- employment and/or small business development are also encouraged.
We also welcome proposals from any of our community college partners,
including consortium chairs, Sector and Deputy Sector Navigators, technical
assistance providers, CTE deans and directors, and the Offices of Economic and
Workforce Development (non-credit, not-for-credit and contract education) and
from the California State University system.
Since we serve a number of specialized populations, sessions addressing these
needs are also an important component of the Conference.
GENERAL WORKSHOP INFORMATION

Workshop length will vary. Please indicate the ideal length of your session
in the form below.

We favor workshops that involve the attendees in active learning.
PowerPoint and lecture presentations should incorporate discussion
elements.

We encourage panel sessions with different organizations with a mix of
ideas, rather than highlighting an isolated success. We recommend no
more than 4 individuals on a panel.

Proposals which feature commercially available products or services
should originate from current users of the service or product and should
highlight “promising practices” examples. Sales presentations for products
and services are inappropriate for workshop sessions and will not be
considered.

CWA reserves the right to edit workshop titles and descriptions and to
combine similar proposals into one session. Because we receive more
proposals than we can accommodate in the limited time and space
available, not all proposals will be accepted.
AUDIO VISUAL NEEDS
Rooms will be equipped with LCD projectors and screens to project
PowerPoint presentations and any other video source material (DVD’s, video
clips, etc.). Multiple presenters should coordinate their PowerPoint presentation
so that they are all on one laptop. We do not supply LAPTOPS. Presenters must
bring their own laptop, if needed.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
Contact CWA Conference Curator, John D. Baker, 512-689-8177;
corefactors@gmail.com
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CWA 2015 Regional Workforce Development Conference
Innovations and Opportunities: The New Game Plan
May 12 – 14, 2015
Hyatt Regency Orange County
Anaheim, California
WORKSHOP SUBMISSION PROCEDURES
 Send an email to: corefactors@gmail.com (John Baker’s email)
 SUBJECT LINE: CWA Spring Proposal 2015: your workshop title
 ATTACH a word document that contains the following items:
NOTE: Keep formatting simple. Compose your answers in a WORD document
using Century Gothic 11 Point Font. Please do not bold words, use italics or
underline, borders or bullets. No extra points for fancy formatting 
Suggested Workshop Title
Presenter(s) Names
Please supply names of all presenters with titles and organizational affiliation
e.g. Jim Beam, CEO, Greater Bourbon Economic Development Agency
Workshop Description (75 words or less)
Write a brief, concise description that captures both the intent of the session and
what will be learned. This will be used in the Conference Program
Preferred Length of your Session: 60 min ( ); 75 min ( ); 90 min ( )
WHERE DOES IT FIT IN THE CONFERENCE STRUCTURE?
Strategic Industry Dialogue ( ); Skill Enhancement ( ); Peer-to-Peer Sharing ( );
New Idea Marketplace ( ); Open exChange ( )
PRESENTER(S) CONTACT INFO (for all presenters)
Name:
Email:
Phone (cell or office):
Audio-Visual Needs
CWA supplied LCD Projector/Screen ( )
Flip Charts (#) ____
Other________________
( ) Yes, I understand that I will need to register as a presenter at either the
special presenter rate, a one day presenter rate, or even if I’m just coming to
present and then leaving the Conference (no charge).
We do not supply LAPTOPS to presenters. You must bring your own laptops, if
needed. MAC users must bring their own LCD Adapter.
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