1. Purpose. To announce the Workforce Innovations 2003: Fueling America's Economic Engine conference to be held in Washington, D.C., from July 8 - 10, at the Marriott Wardman-Park Hotel.

2. Background. Workforce Innovations 2003 is the nation's premier conference for the workforce investment system. The conference is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration and the National Association of Workforce Boards. It is designed to offer all public and private workforce professionals information on the most recent reauthorization developments, best practices, key industry clusters, and systems and solutions necessary to provide quality services to their customers.

This unique conference will feature dynamic and provocative speakers addressing the critical themes of:

• Aligning Economic Development with Workforce Investment;
  
• Integrating the Education System with Workforce Investment; and
  
• Facilitating Employment Through Effective One-Stop Services and Partnerships.

3. Registration. On-line registration is available on the conference Web site (www.workforceinnovations.org). An early-bird discounted registration fee is available for all who register before May 30. A one-day only registration option is available for either July 8 or July 9.

4. Getting the Word Out. Following are some suggestions for helping us publicize the conference and for participating in the conference.

• Share this information with appropriate staff and colleagues, including your WIA partners, Workforce Investment Board members, and interested employers and encourage them to attend the conference. Advise them to visit the conference Web site at www.workforceinnovations.org to see what other experiences Workforce Innovations 2003 has to offer and to learn ways that they can become involved. Suggest that they join the WI2003 e-mail list so that they can receive conference updates as speakers and topics are confirmed.
  
  
• Distribute Workforce Innovations materials at appropriate upcoming conferences or meetings. You may request Workforce Innovations materials (e.g., posters, Save the Date cards, Registration brochures) through the conference Web site.
  
  
• List Workforce Innovations 2003 on your Web site.
  
  
• Consider exhibiting at the conference and/or identify other potential exhibitors you would like to see in our exhibit hall. All exhibit inquiries and suggestions should be directed to the conference exhibit manager, Harve Horowitz, by phone at 410-997-0763 or by e-mail at wi@epponline.com.
  
  
• If you or any of your colleagues planning to attend Workforce Innovations are interested in giving a small amount of your time to serve as a volunteer "Diplomat," please contact Elaine Kolodny by phone (202-693-3610) or e-mail (Kolodny.Elaine@dol.gov) or complete and fax the volunteer Diplomat form soon to be posted on the conference Web site.

5. Inquiries. Questions about Workforce Innovations 2003 should be directed to your ETA Regional Office or to conference staff by phone (202-693-3689) or by e-mail at info@workforceinnovations.org.