Governor Northam Announces Technology Award Winners

Virginia government entities which have innovatively improved government service delivery were today honored by Governor Ralph Northam with Governor’s Technology Awards. State agencies, localities and education were named winners in nine categories, as judged by a panel of Virginia government IT experts.

Trophies were presented at a special ceremony at the Commonwealth of Virginia Innovative Technology Symposium (COVITS) by Northam’s Secretary of Administration Keyanna Conner and Chief Information Officer of the Commonwealth Nelson Moe.

Read the Governor's news release.

See the winners.


Outstanding Schedule Set for COVITS 2018

Secretary of Administration Keyanna Conner opens COVITS 2018 with her official welcome at 8:45 a.m.; a jam packed COVITS schedule follows. Nelson Moe updates attendees on the commonwealth’s IT sourcing transition. Keynote speakers include Clay Jenkinson, writer, historical performer and Theodore Roosevelt Humanities Scholar; Michael Hakkarinen, Instructional Technology Specialist, Utah Education Network and Christina “CK” Kerley, Innovation Specialist and Futurist.

Governor Ralph Northam’s address to attendees is a special COVITS highlight. Topical breakout sessions include the CyberThreat Landscape, DevOps, Blockchain Use Cases, and more. The presentation of the 2018 Governor’s Technology Awards and a fast-paced, thought-provoking second day of events wrap this year’s favorite Virginia gathering of IT professionals.

See the full schedule online.


#COVITS2018

Join the live social conversation on Twitter during this year’s conference! Follow @COVITS and include #COVITS2018 in your posts.

Keynote speakers: @edtechakk, Michael Hakkarinen, and @cksays, Christina “CK” Kerley. Find Twitter contact info for many breakout sessions on the schedule. Governor’s Technology Awards: #GTA2018.


Event Parking

Complimentary, first-come, first-serve parking is available for COVITS attendees at the Greater Richmond Convention Center parking garage, at the corner of 3rd and Marshall Street. There are ~400 spots available. Please tell the attendant that you are attending COVITS.

If the Greater Richmond Convention Center parking garage is full, information on alternative lots, parking rates and directions to the GRCC can be found online.
http://www.richmondcenter.com/parking/


2018 Governor's Technology Awards

Virginia’s prestigious Governor's Technology Awards (GTA) program recognizes public sector information technology (IT) projects that improve government service delivery and efficiency.

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, Secretary of Administration Keyanna Conner and Chief Information Officer of the Commonwealth Nelson Moe invite entries to the awards program.

Awards recognize local, state and educational entities. Submissions should focus on improvements in the business of government through the strategic use of IT.

Nominations are evaluated by IT leaders from state agencies, localities, the legislature, courts and education. Awards are presented to honorees on behalf of the Governor at a special ceremony at COVITS.


Photos of COVITS 2017 now available

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Pictures from this year’s event now are online and freely downloadable. The collection, photographed by David Kidd of Governing magazine, includes winners of 2017 Governor’s Technology Awards, with Governor McAuliffe and Secretary of Technology Karen Jackson.


Governor McAuliffe Presents Technology Award Winners

Governor Terry McAuliffe and his Secretary of Technology Karen Jackson presented the annual Governor’s Technology Awards at a special ceremony at the Commonwealth of Virginia Innovative Technology Symposium (COVITS) in Richmond on Sept. 6. Noting the creative work of winners, Gov. McAuliffe personally awarded 17 trophies in nine categories to winners from state and local government and education.



What Is COVITS

COVITS is the familiar name for the Commonwealth of Virginia Innovative Technology Symposium. This event now is in its 20th year. It is a valued annual gathering of Virginia's government information technology (IT) leaders.

COVITS provides a practical glimpse into the future of government IT solutions. Attendees focus on strategic direction. The event features inspiring speakers, relevant breakout sessions and a marketplace of innovative tools.


Why You Should Attend

Keyanna Conner - 320px

Keyanna Conner

Secretary of Administration, Commonwealth of Virginia

"We all take pride in the fact that Virginia and its cities and counties have won numerous digital government awards in recent years. As we progress forward, technology will continue to be at the heart of our ambitious plans for serving Virginians in new and better ways, and we are striving more than ever to embrace innovation and find new ways to get our goals accomplished. Let’s use this year’s COVITS as a platform to join forces, share ideas and be inspired. The timing couldn’t be better. I look forward to seeing you there!"