DoD Worldwide '09

Written by Sharon L. Beaudoin

It is now 2009, and this year’s DoD Worldwide, the premier voluntary education conference commonly referred to as Worldwide, is looming large on the horizon. The symposium will take place July 27–31 in the heart of downtown Atlanta at the Marriott Marquis Hotel. This year’s theme is “Educating America’s Patriots.”

The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) has managed the conference since 1994, which is when the first DoD Worldwide Education Symposium (previously known as the Worldwide Military Services Education Conference) was held in St. Louis. Each of the four conferences, held every three years since 1994, has increased in participation and scope.

This year, that tradition is expected to continue. More than 100 breakout sessions, roundtables, workshops and demos are planned. Sharon Beaudoin, DANTES program manager for DoD Worldwide, is busy working with DoD leadership, representatives of higher education, the five service components and the National Guard Bureau who make up the program planning committee, and the event management contractor, RCP Limited, to feature a vast selection of presentations.

These will entitle all participants to Voluntary Education’s (VolEd) most comprehensive professional development event—the best value of 2009 for their ever-shrinking training dollars.

“The 2009 program will definitely offer more for those with an interest beyond the traditional topics that focus on educating our active duty force. The educational issues faced by Reserve components, the National Guard, veterans and spouses will receive more attention than at previous symposiums,” said Beaudoin. “For example, we are recruiting speakers who can address the complexities of implementing the Post-9/11 GI Bill, tackle the special needs of military family members, and emphasize how wounded warriors can be better served.”

COMPREHENSIVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

You can always count on DoD Worldwide to shine the spotlight on emerging technologies and innovations.

Worldwide, or “WW09” as it has come to be known, will provide a forum to prepare for future trends and challenges and to indentify potential partnerships that save labor and dollars.

In addition to spotlighting noteworthy educational advancements, the classic content or topics always in demand will receive extensive coverage, as well. As always, there are panel presentations on tap that promise to stimulate lively discussion, which is healthy and vital to improving the processes used in providing advanced education to the military community. According to Beaudoin, at least a third of the concurrent session presentations and half of the general sessions will feature panel discussions.

Moreover, attendees can add to their professional toolboxes by attending a Myers- Briggs Type Indicator training workshop or qualifying to provide specific certification testing through an administrator’s workshop with Pearson VUE.

Tuesday’s lunch-n-learn will give attendees the opportunity to rotate and view sample vendor demonstrations that will be performed “speed-dating” style. As always, Thursday’s lunch-nlearn roundtable discussions will address more casual and personal aspects of the worldof- work through informal small-group discussions led by knowledgeable facilitators. There is not a moment on the aggressive three-day schedule that doesn’t offer attendees the chance to sharpen their professional skills. DANTES Director Jeff Cropsey believes “the symposium is truly a success when attendees leave in a whirlwind of exhaustion.”

DYNAMIC, WORLD-CLASS SPEAKERS

This year, there is something new on the WW09 agenda: the super session. Response to the call for proposals last spring was unprecedented, yielding a virtual avalanche of compelling topics from top-notch presenters. And many great tips were submitted that offered suggestions for professional speakers and leaders in education who were willing to give freely their time and talents to the goal of educating America’s patriots.

However, there are only so many dynamic speakers that can be featured in three days—in a general session setting—and still allow time for essential topics to be covered through concurrent sessions. As a result, the Super Session was born.

A choice of three super sessions will be featured in a single time block on Thursday morning in a large ballroom setting to accommodate the vast audience that is customary for a world-class speaker or panelist. One super session will feature a choice of three lectures, and another will feature a choice of three provocative panels. One lecture will offer Stephen Abram, a leading international librarian and lighthouse thinker who was president of the Special Librarians Association in 2008 and is vice president of Innovation for SirsiDynix.

Another lecture choice will feature Chris Melissinos, Sun Microsystems’ chief gaming officer, who is described as a “technologist with a focus on interactive and connected experiences.” The third lecture will be presented by Barry Adams, Ed.D. Adams is an education technology consultant for Apple Inc. and is at heart an educator and an innovator in education technology. Topics for the three super session panels are “ELEARNING 2020”; “Governance and Guidance Agencies—How Standards are Created”; “What makes a Good Exam?”; and “Alternative Education Credentials—Impact on Recruiting Policies.” Each panel will be loaded with influential experts, many having international acclaim.

With speakers of this caliber in these super break-out sessions, whom might the attendee expect to hear in the general sessions?

DANTES has selected three notable speakers to deliver the keynote addresses on Tuesday and Wednesday morning and Thursday afternoon. One is confirmed, and DANTES is engaged in talks with schedulers and press secretaries of the other two, seeking to firm up their acceptances. The opening keynote address on Tuesday is aimed at timely legislative issues from a Congressional viewpoint. Clifford Adelman, senior associate, Institute for Higher Education Policy, will deliver the higher ed keynote address on Wednesday, highlighting his research that documents the contribution of VolEd programs to the knowledge content of the U.S. economy.

The final keynote on Thursday will challenge and motivate attendees, with focus on the entire military community. Once confirmed, all keynote speakers will be widely promoted; stay tuned!

HIGH-LEVEL MILITARY & DOD LEADERSHIP PANELS

A tradition scheduled at each DoD Worldwide is the opportunity to hear from each service’s senior leaders— leaders who shape the policies of VolEd. WW09 is on course once again to put these heavy hitters on stage where they will speak on issues from their service’s perspective. Each service’s senior enlisted representative has already accepted the invitation to attend. Twoand three-star flag officers also have been invited and will make up the Senior Officer Panel.

Returning to the program in 2009 is the Service Chiefs’ Town Hall. This popular panel is perhaps the only opportunity to see all five service chiefs assembled together and should add a lively compare and contrast aspect to the program.

Attendees representing DoD and other institutions seem to enjoy the interaction as views are expressed by the service chiefs with regards to their education programs— especially as questions are fielded from the audience.

VOLUNTARY EDUCATION SALUTE TO SERVICEMEMBERS

Of course, WW09 would be nothing without the support of its exhibitors. Military-friendly colleges and universities, vendors of educational products and services, credentialing agencies and organizations that support the education of America’s patriots will assemble across the generous span of the hotel’s Marquis Level as it is transformed into “Patriot Plaza.” At the center of it all will be the service exhibits. Each service will have carte blanche to set up and display examples of service pride and its support for VolEd.

The exhibit halls will host exciting activities designed to draw the crowds and to honor America’s patriots. The fabulous grand opening of Patriot Plaza on Monday is the symposium’s official kickoff. From late Wednesday morning through an extended lunch period, Patriot Plaza will be featured exclusively on the symposium program. During this time, WW09 will extend a free invitation to the Atlanta area’s uniformed servicemembers to come and explore the more than 160 service and educational exhibits on display.

As of mid-December almost two-thirds of the available exhibit spaces were sold. Those who have not yet reserved a booth should visit the symposium Website for more information.

NETWORKING CENTRAL

Despite a staggering program featuring exhibits, panel discussions, keynote addresses, workshops and presentations, many attendees will find that extensive networking is the number-one value they find in attending DoD Worldwide. We can never sell short the value of professional networking. At WW09, attendance of more than 1,800 is projected. No other professional conference in VolEd is so heavily attended, which means that the networking potential of Worldwide is the best to be found within DoD.

Attendees will be able to renew old acquaintances, exchange thoughts and ideas and put a face to commonly seen names. A number of retirees also will attend their official reunion, held in conjunction with WW09. These former VolEd leaders will undoubtedly mingle and offer advice and encouragement to the professionals who now fill their shoes.

Many interns and newcomers to VolEd come to Worldwide and find support when they meet others in their apprentice situation. VolEd professionals normally scattered throughout the world, exposed only to their own service or school, will find all players can come to the table at Worldwide.

A unique opportunity for attendees of WW09 will be to join in as DANTES celebrates its 35th anniversary. DANTES will mark this occasion by inviting all attendees to a special reception on Wednesday, July 29, following the afternoon concurrent sessions.

SPIRITED TEAM BUILDING

While touting the value gained by attending WW09, we have to add the obvious fact that it’s fun! It’s OK to say it; DoD Worldwide is fun.

Human resource experts have been admitting for years now that fun in the workplace is productive and healthy. So what’s more fun than a little friendly competition? WW09 has some great activities planned, some using professionals whose expertise is workplace fun and games. Competition will ignite to see which team goes home with the coveted Team Spirit Award. Teams are divided by service or organization, and if the trivia competition started in July 2008 is any indication, competition will heat up for the trophy in 2009. Among other things, a fun run/walk is planned for the morning of July 30 in Atlanta’s downtown Centennial Park and will be a highlight of the competition. Get ready for participation points, games, races and ratings!

On Thursday evening attendees will be treated to the team building event offsite at the spectacular Georgia Aquarium where the Team Spirit trophy will be handed out. This 8 million gallon aquarium holds more aquatic life than any facility in the world and will be dedicated exclusively to WW09 activities for the evening.

In addition to the Team Spirit contest, many supporters will hold evening activities and receptions throughout the week. These activities allow those who deal with the serious day-to-day business of educating, as well as the sobering subject matter of some WW09 topics to let down their hair and relax.

When making the argument to attend, remember: you are an asset to your agency or institution and require maintenance and enhancements as much as a piece of machinery does. No matter what role you play in educating America’s patriots, you will grow and benefit as a professional by attending WW09. Planning is aimed at creating an atmosphere of constant evaluation and improvement that promises to exceed expectations. Questions about the symposium can be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND

The Atlanta Marriott Marquis, conveniently located in the heart of downtown, offers more than 1,600 newly renovated guest rooms that boast amazing skyline views and a 47-story atrium. Guest rooms for all symposium attendees are available at the prevailing government per diem rate of $141 per night, plus state and local taxes.

To reserve accommodations, click the “Hotel/Travel” link on the WW09 Website at http://www.ww09atlanta.com, or call Marriott reservations at 866-469-5475. Callers should be sure to request the DoD WW09 block of rooms or they may be incorrectly advised that no rooms are available. Currently, there are still rooms available at the Marquis. However, just as in 2006, rooms are expected to sell out.

Check the WW09 Website often between now and July for all the latest updates. Custom scheduling that allows concurrent and super sessions to be reviewed and selected will be available to registered attendees no later than May 1, 2009. Registration is ongoing, completely automated and accessed from the Website.

Those interested in exhibiting or sponsoring a symposium activity also can get information from the Website or by e-mailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . ♦