5 Reasons Why Our 2021 Virtual Conference Will Improve Your 2021 Outcomes

This month, I thought I’d reveal to you the 5 reasons why this year’s CSMFO 2021 virtual conference will put your year on the right path.

It’s official, our 2021 conference is all virtual. I know this is not a surprise to many, given the prevalence of COVID-19 in our communities. And I, like the rest of CSMFO leadership, regret the delay in this announcement. But collectively, we were guided by our fiduciary responsibility to CSMFO and had to delay this announcement while we worked with our San Jose conference locations to safely secure our significant deposits.

Speaking of fiduciary responsibility, let’s get on to our top 5 reasons why you need to register now for our 2021 virtual conference.

1) $4 per session.

You’ll never find a better value for the same incredible content. Register now at the low $200 rate and you’ll have unique access for 6 months to watch all of our 48 concurrent sessions. That’s just $4.17 per session. And I’m confident this will be the best value attendees will ever have for our exceptional content.

Our CSMFO Program committee worked tirelessly throughout the year to find the most appropriate content to support your success in 2021. Go to our 2021 Session descriptions to get specific details on the content coming your way.

2) Reconnect with your CSMFO colleagues and friends.

We’ve leveraged the opportunities a virtual conference can bring while learning best practices from other 2020 conferences. All this to bring you new ways to find and intimately interact with your colleagues and friends. We’ve partnered with software solutions like Remo to let you jump from virtual table to virtual table to connect with colleagues or pop in on discussion topics. You’ll be able to see who’s “sitting” at each table and pop-in to say hello. We’ve worked with presenters to create interactive sessions on topics like remote work, ERP implementation, or preparing for the future.

We’re so excited about these new opportunities and how it might extend to our other regular content and chapter meetings.

3) Inspirational keynote speakers who overcame incredible obstacles and can guide us through these messy times.

You’ll read more in CSMFO news, but I can attest to the incredible messages each of our keynote speakers will during our conference. Those of you that know me will not be surprised to hear this, but I can attest to how powerful their messages are as I choked up while previewing some of their prior presentations. From Rebecca Ryan’s futuristic considerations about how we can navigate our staff and agency through these times, to the inspirational story Rabia Siddique brings on recovery and resilience, to the latest from CalPERS, these sessions promise to set your personally and professionally for success in 2021.

4) Reduce your agency’s CalPERS liabilities.

Speaking of CalPERS, how would you like special one-on-one insight to your CalPERS liabilities and how to advise your agency’s on minimizing your costs into the future? CalPERS actuaries will be providing all CSMFO attendees the ability to schedule one-on-one meetings to walk you through your actuarial reports and amortization schedules.

5) Destress from 2020.

CSMFO has a tradition of bringing incredible content through our annual conference. But we also are proud of our “square” friendly fun features CSMFO also offers. Included with your registration is special access to meditative moments to learn how to stay mentally balanced. You’ll get to be amazed by a “do not miss” virtual magician. And a traditional post-conference Wednesday night opportunity to engage in dueling pianos, get tips on building a perfect beverage, or watch the fun as CSMFOers take a stab at karaoke.

I’m so excited about seeing you in any one of our virtual experiences. I’m full of anticipation for all the content and sessions we’ll all have access to. And I’ll remain forever grateful to all those who have helped put together this upcoming can’t miss virtual event.

Together Towards Tomorrow – Marcus

Bonus!

Laurie’s Famous Floating Snickerdoodles.

These cookies are that perfect pairing of an outside crispy crust while being soft and light on the inside. Their sugar kick with their lightness makes them a perfect pairing to putting a few in your pockets while taking on CSMFO’s January steps challenge.

Ingredients

1 box – Yellow cake mix

2 eggs

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Blend the eggs with oil and vanilla. Then add the cake mix and hand blend together. Separately, blend the sugar cinnamon in a large tray or platter.

Roll the mixed dough into ping-pong size balls and roll in the sugar cinnamon mix. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet for 8 to 10 minutes.