2012 Air Force Company Grade Officer Professional Development Conference

"Globalizing Our AF Culture: Cultivating a Strong Strategic-Minded CGO"

• Dates: 7-10 May 2012 (tentative)
  • Sunday, 6 May will serve as a travel day, culminating in a Meet-and-Greet social at the Conference hotel on Sunday evening
  • Optional tours and events will be available on Friday, 11 May for those desiring additional education, professional development, and networking opportunities
• Conference Hotel: TBA
  • Attendees and DVs are strongly encouraged to stay at this hotel to benefit from reduced lodging rates, special discounts and amenities, and ease of access to Conference activities
• Why Should I Attend?
  • We will have phenomenal speakers and workshops set up for you, as well as an off-site that will highlight some of the very unique missions of local bases and sites!
  • The “Stars-and-Bars” Dining-In will be held on Wednesday, 9 May, and is sure to be an incredible evening of networking, mentoring, and fun!
  • After each Conference day, feel free to take in the sights and sounds of Seattle's amazing scenery, local attractions/activities and nightlife!

The AF CGO Professional Development Conference is sponsored and conducted by the AFCGOC in support of the Total Force and is open to all Company Grade Officers (CGOs). We will highlight “hot topics” relevant to CGOs across the Air Force, receive senior leader insight into where the Air Force is heading and highlight some lesser known missions of the DoD. The Conference will allow attendees the opportunity to interact with dozens of senior officers from a myriad of career fields, backgrounds…and even from our sister services! The off-site will include some great tours and insights that we're still pulling together--but they'll be fantastic!

Come experience this great opportunity while networking with 250+ CGOs from career fields and bases across the Air Force!

Registration and hotel reservation information will be announced around the new year, but make sure to budget with your unit for it NOW so you don't miss out! Check out the current DRAFT agenda.

 

See you in Seattle!

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Agenda

The Agenda is still being worked, but a draft will be posted here shortly.
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Support Information

• Coming Soon!
• Legal review and approval here

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Registration

• Coming Soon!

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Local Area Information

• Coming Soon!

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FAQs

1. Do I need to be an active member of my CGOC to attend?
2. Do I need a non-availability statement to stay at the conference hotel?
3. How do I get funded for the conference?
3(a). How much should I budget for this TDY?
4. Can I use my government credit card for the registration fee?
5. What is Per Diem for Seattle?
6. What does the conference fee include?
7. Do I need a rental car?
8. What's the closest airport?
9. Why should I stay at the conference hotel?
10. What other amenities are offered at the Hotel?
11. What about CGOs stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord?
12. What should we wear?
13. What's on the agenda?
14. What will the weather be like?
15. How close is the hotel to the "action," and what do you mean by "action?"
16. What evening and Friday activities are planned for conference attendees and their guests?

1. Do I need to be an active member of my CGOC to attend?

No, ALL CGOs are welcome! Some bases may determine funding at the base/wing level by CGOC status; however units may fund CGOs for this Professional Development Conference regardless of CGOC membership/participation.

2. Do I need a non-availability statement to stay at the conference hotel?

No, your orders should have you attending a conference in ‘Seattle, WA,’ not to Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Finance offices will not require a non-availability statement if your orders are not to a base.

3. How do I get funded for the conference?

Option 1: Your unit.  According to USAF/JAA, this is a valid and legal use of gov't TDY/Training funds. Travel may be government funded IAW AFI 65-601, Vol 1, para 4.42 or in Permissive TDY status in accordance with AFI 36-3003, Military Leave Program, Table 7, Rule 24. But be sure to budget early with your leadership so you are ready when registration opens!

Option 2: Your base.  If your unit is unable to fund you, CGOs or CGOC leadership may consider approaching base/wing leadership about funding a group of CGOs.

Option 3: Your CGOC.  Some CGOCs have the funds to support or partially support members who wish to attend.  If you are not on official orders, consider requesting Permissive TDY status.  According to USAF/JAA, this is a valid PTDY.

Option 4: Your local AFA Chapter, Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club or similar organizations.  These groups often have funds set aside just for opportunities like this.  CGOCs may consider approaching these organizations for sponsorship/support.  Again, if you are not on official orders, consider requesting Permissive TDY status.  

3(a). How much should I budget for this TDY?

• Be sure to include the cost of getting to/from your home airport and airport parking, if applicable
• Transit costs to/from airport: ~ $45 by Taxi, $15 by Airport Shuttle
• Per Diem: Hotel cost = $137/night + $66/day for meals/incidentals (subtract $18 for the 2 days meals will be provided)
• Airfare: GSA FY 2012 City Pair Fares: http://apps.fas.gsa.gov/citypairs/search/
• Conference kicks off on Sunday with an evening social. Formal programming begins first thing Monday morning and will continue through Thursday evening.
• Conference registration fee: not set yet... budget for $250-$300

4. Can I use my government credit card for the registration fee?

You may use your GTC, CSA or personal credit card.

• If you are using the CSA card for your travel, please follow the CSA conference fee rules and use your unit's GPC (if more than 30 days prior to the event) for the registration fee. This often requires prior coordination with your unit's resource advisor. This typically works faster than having to file a DTS order and wait for the money to be loaded onto your CSA card.
• If your unit allows and you pay with a GTC or personal credit card, once you register, consider filing a local travel voucher through DTS for your conference fee. This will allow you to be reimbursed before your TDY and will alleviate any late payment concerns.
• For both of these methods, just remember to not claim your registration fee again on your conference travel voucher!

5. What is Per Diem for Seattle?

6. What does the conference fee include?

The conference fee will be approximately $250-$300/person.  This includes all conference costs, materials, 4 light breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 formal dinner and a social.  This fee is completely reimbursable on TDY orders (must be listed in original order--you will receive a receipt for the conference fee).  Attendees will need to claim the proportional meal rate for Tuesday and Wednesday.  Hotel room charges are separate from this fee.

7. Do I need a rental car?

Rental cars should not be needed. More details on this will come out once we finalize the conference hotel.

8. What's the closest airport?

SEA. Seattle Tacoma Airport

9. Why should I stay at the conference hotel?

Conference attendees will receive special treatment at the conference hotel!

- More details will be posted soon!

As a majority of attendees will be at this hotel, it affords you easy access to informal social and networking opportunities outside of the formal conference events.

The Wednesday evening event will require you to change from your UOD into Mess Dress in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. There will also be alcohol at this evening event. For these reasons we recommend that you stay either in the conference hotel or within a short walking distance.

If you are staying at the Conference hotel, you must book using our group block to get the per diem rate and to receive the above benefits.  This can be done by booking directly through our hotel conference page or calling.’  There are limited rooms available at per diem, so reserve your room as soon as you know you'll be attending! 

10. What other amenities are offered at the Hotel?

TBA

11. What about CGOs stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord?

We will have more details on this as we get closer to registraion. You will likely be on local travel and will need to register and pay the conference fee the same as non-local attendees. Attendance at the Stars and Bars Dining In on Wednesday night is still a required event for all conference attendees.

12. What should we wear?

Sunday's optional social will be business casual (ex: slacks and a polo shirt). The UOD for conference sessions will be ABU/BDU/Flight Suit. Wednesday evening's Stars and Bars Dining In will be in Mess Dress. (As a note, Mess Dress is a required uniform item for all AF officers.)

13. What's on the agenda?

The DRAFT agenda will be posted here shortly. We will also have optional group events in the evenings throughout the week and an optional group event on Friday for those who are interested!

14. What will the weather be like?

Coming Soon!

15. How close is the conference hotel to the "action," and what do you mean by "action?"

Coming Soon!

For pictures and links of Seattle activities, check out our Conference facebook page--they will be Coming Soon!

16. What evening and Friday activities are planned for conference attendees and their guests?

TBA

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Contact Us

Got questions? Contact us!
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Previous Conferences

• Previous Conference Info
• 2011 Conference Agenda
• 2010 Conference Agenda
• 2009 Conference Agenda
• 2008 Conference Agenda
• 2007 Conference Agenda