Two-Day Symposium to Feature Speakers from the Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, U.S. Census Bureau, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and More

The University of Maryland Project Management Center for Excellence is proud to name five in-demand keynote speakers to headline its fourth annual Project Management Symposium, taking place May 4-5 at the University of Maryland campus in College Park, MD.

Jeff Gravatte of CADD Microsystems, Lisa Blumerman of the U.S. Census Bureau, Patricia Carper of the Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, Dr. Karl Wunderlich of Noblis, and Stephen A. Shinn of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center will provide symposium participants with a big-picture view of how project managers play an integral role in government, industry, and academe.

To kick things off on May 4th, Gravatte will pull from experience as the CEO and Owner of CADD Microsystems during his presentation, “Technology trends affecting project management in building design and construction.” With CADD Microsystems, Gravette maintains a focus on the business aspects of applying design technology. He works with Architects, Engineers, Contractors and Building Owners to provide strategic technology planning.

During lunch, Blumerman will divulge how project management is crucial at the Census Bureau in her presentation, “Counting Our Nation: How Project Management Paves the Way.” As the Associate Director for the Decennial Census programs, she provides executive leadership for three major programs within the Census Bureau–the 2020 Census, the American Community Survey, and the Geographic Programs.

Carper will wrap up Day 1 of the Symposium with a monumental presentation titled, “MGM National Harbor Project.” As Vice President and on-site Project Executive for the MGM project for the Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, Carper will cover the many facets of the $1.3B development in Oxon Hill, MD slated to open in December 2016.

The next morning, Wunderlich will present, “Creating a System of Automated and Connected Vehicles,” and share his world-view on how decentralized control of the shared transportation system resource can be influenced to reduce risks and meet the demands of the emerging mobility consumer.

Rounding out the keynote presentation list, Shinn discusses the cultural challenges project managers face when leading complex technical missions and will share approaches to ensure success in a changing environment. He reveals common cultural barriers and will discuss his change initiatives at Goddard to overcome barriers and provide a process for lasting change in his presentation, “Challenges in a Changing Environment.”

Symposium attendees can customize their event experience by choosing from a dozen session tracks on topics including agile/IT, construction management (including building information modeling (BIM)), disaster management, education, federal programs, integrated program performance management, risk and big data, and technology in project management. New this year, attendees can also participate in a people in projects track and choose from four specific focuses including, change management, conflict resolution, motivation, and negotiation.

For those looking to maintain a PMI credential, the Project Management Symposium offers an opportunity to earn up to 13 professional development units (PDUs) in the PMI Talent Triangle. Each presentation will specify which of the three talent triangle skills they will address.

With this year’s symposium projected to draw record-breaking attendance, those interested in participating are strongly encouraged to register in advance of the April 2nd early-bird deadline.

For more information, or to register, visit the UMD Project Management Symposium website.

This event is made possible, in part, by Conference Sponsor Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, Gold Sponsor CADD Microsystems, track sponsors Project Management Institute (PMI) Government Relations Office and Maryland Center for Construction Education & Innovation (MCCEI) plus media sponsor Project Management World Journal.

Published December 1, 2016