ImmixGroup's annual sales summit puts emphasis on results

ImmixGroup’s annual Government Sales Summit is coming next week on Nov. 21, and again a packed agenda is on tap.

I’ll be moderating a panel in the afternoon looking at the Federal Data Strategy. In addition to my panel, there are plenty of other topics to explore -- a state of the industry panel; market intelligence briefings for civilian and defense markets; a look at state, local and education cyber needs; and the evolution of government contracts.

There also are sessions on social media, the fundamentals of selling to the federal government, cloud adoption and artificial intelligence.

The lunch keynote is Melissa Stockwell, a motivational speaker and Paralympian. She was the first American woman to lose a limb in the Iraq War when a roadside bomb exploded as she led a convoy in Baghdad in 2004.

I’ve read some of the testimonials on her website and I think I need to bring a box of Kleenex because nearly every comment mentioned how people were moved to tears by her story and message. But it also sounds like there will be a lot of laughter and plenty of inspiration.

I doubt anyone will be moved to tears at my session, at least not by design. But with Jose Arrieta, chief information officer for the Health and Human Services Department; and Teresa Smith, chief data officer of the Defense Logistics Agency on the panel -- I know we’ll gain great insights on how agencies are trying to exploit data for better decisions and outcomes.

Jean Edwards, executive director of federal strategic programs with Dell EMC, and Gary Hix, director of engineering with Hitachi Vantara Federal, also are on the panel to bring an industry perspective.

I’m working on questions to explore what the need is in government and the potential for better results through data as well as how industry can support those efforts. From our pre-event prep calls, it sounds like there is a wide sophistication among agencies on how they manage and exploit their data.

We are in the last group of panels for the day, so drop in before heading to the wrap-up cocktail reception.