Annual Conference. A forum for the exchange of useful information on significant developments and trends in governmental ethics, elections, freedom of information, campaign finance and lobbying laws. Recent conferences have attracted over 400 participants!
COGEL Annual Conferences
Why Should You Or Your Organization Attend?
COGEL’s Annual Conference is an invaluable opportunity for professionals working in government ethics, elections, disclosure, enforcement, and other types of regulatory agencies. Whether your field is public disclosure, conflict of interest, Freedom of Information, or campaign finance, the COGEL Annual Conference has panels and speakers tailored to your information needs.
The COGEL Annual Conference offers the rare opportunity to interact with your professional peers and learn first-hand about their challenges and successes. These contacts can prove invaluable, particularly as advances in technology and ongoing government reform efforts lead to rapid changes in how COGEL members accomplish the goals of their respective agencies.
Recent COGEL Annual Conferences have offered sessions such as:
- Addressing Voter Turnout
- Agency IT Systems Development
- Campaign Finance Update
- Dealing with the Difficult Requester
- Early Voting and Voting Technologies
- Ethical Issues for the Government Attorney
- Elections Update: Current Trends and Litigation
- Electronic Filing Workshops
- Freedom of Information – Enforcement and Penalties
- Lobby Update
- Managing Electronic Records
- Pay to Play: Contractors and Contributions
- Public Financing: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
- Public Financing Under Fire
- Training - Developing and Maintaining Public Education Programs
- Trusting Your Gut: Drop, Settle, or Prosecute?
In addition, each COGEL Annual Conference features lively and informative plenary speakers and topics that have included:
- The Right Hon. Joe Clark, Former Prime Minister of Canada
- Professor Paula Franzese, Peter W. Rodino Professor of Law, Seton Hall University and Past Chair of New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission
- Chairman of the Iraqi Election Commission
- The Anatomy of Ethics Reform in New Jersey
- Canadian Accountability Act
But more than panels, legislative updates, and speakers, the COGEL Annual Conference offers the rare opportunity to interact with your professional peers and learn first-hand about their challenges and successes. These contacts can prove invaluable, particularly as advances in technology and ongoing government reform efforts lead to rapid changes in how COGEL members accomplish the goals of their respective agencies. Perhaps most important, attending the COGEL Annual Conference can be a chance to recharge your batteries and, as you learn more about what’s going on outside your jurisdiction, to become excited all over again about working for the public good.
Read What COGEL Attendees Have Said About Recent Conferences:
“Great format & approach – Keep It Going!”
“Great conference – energizing, thought-provoking, inspirational, yet practical.”
“Very informative and an excellent networking opportunity.”
“One of the best conferences I have attended. Terrific sessions and speakers.”
“Comprehensive.”
“COGEL really "listens" to our conference evaluations. I have never experienced an organization so responsive to suggestions. We learned so much from all the audience participants.”
“What an amazing conference - presentations, presenters, accommodations, food, site location and more - all of it near perfect. Thanks to everyone who put so much work into making it a success for all. I learned SO much - especially about the larger national and international context in which I'm serving. The conference re-energized me to come back to it with renewed energy, proud of what I've accomplished and, at the same time, with a much clearer sense of what still needs to be done. Thank you, thank you - planners, organizers, speakers and other attendees - for the wonderful gift of yourselves, your time and your knowledge!”
“Great Presenters! Great Sessions! This is the way to do it!”