The event runs from 10 a.m. to noon June 17, and registration is available online.
CDT has been hosting vendor forums for the last few years as a way of connecting with a broad industry audience and laying out the department’s plans. Vendors are given ample opportunity to ask questions of Tong and other members of her team. In addition to remarks from Tong, speakers at this month’s event will include the state’s deputy chief information officer and chief deputy director of CDT, Russ Nichols, who was appointed to the No. 2 role in February.
The agenda for the meeting will include details about the department’s impending move, from its current offices at 1325 J St. in Sacramento to the Ziggurat building, the striking edifice at 707 3rd St. in West Sacramento that houses the state Department of General Services, among other agencies.
Also on the agenda:
- A recap of what the department accomplished in 2020, including the Vision 2023 strategic plan and the CA Broadband Action Plan.
- Discussion about legislation related to technology in California.
- Major initiatives the department is planning, including CA.gov and artificial intelligence.
- Procurement opportunities on the horizon.
CDT has had some key leadership changes in the past year, including the retirements of Nichols’ predecessor as deputy state CIO, Richard Rogers, and the state’s acting chief technology officer, Ellen Ishimoto. In addition, Google executive Rick Klau left the private sector for the dual position of state chief technology innovation officer and deputy director of the Office of Enterprise Technology (OET). As state CTIO, Klau succeeded Scott Gregory, who is now deputy director of technology for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention.
