
Join us for a Data Deep Dive at the 2023 Winter Forum on March 3, 2023 at the Stockton Arena.
This day-long program will bring data to life for attendees. From hands-on activities and case studies to industry best practices and data innovation, attendees will walk away with a new understanding of how data can expand local government services and new skills to bring to their role in serving Northern California communities.
For any attendees looking for local accommodations, the University Plaza Waterfront Hotel is recommended and right next door to the arena!

Friday, March 3, 2023 – Sold Out!
Program: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Networking Happy Hour: 5:00 pm
Stockton Arena
248 W. Fremont Street
Stockton, CA 95203
Registration
MMANC Member – $100
Nonmember – $125
MMANC Student Member – $75
Program Schedule
Time | Topic |
---|---|
8:00 AM | Continental Breakfast |
9:00 AM | Welcome from MMANC President and Winter Forum Chair
A welcome and greetings to the 2023 Winter Forum Data Deep Dive from the Municipal Management Association of Northern California President, John Stefanski, and event chair, Katie Regan. |
9:15 AM | Welcome from City of Stockton City Manager Harry Black
Gain insight into the city manager’s approach to using data in local government. |
9:30 AM | Opening Keynote
Why Data Matters and How to Make it Happen As a seasoned Chief Data Officer in both a city and state government, Joy will share her unique perspective on the power of data to drive positive change in local government. She will discuss the importance of making data accessible and approachable for all government personnel, through the implementation of data-as-a-service. Joy will share real-life examples of how data has been used to improve transparency and accountability, increase efficiencies, and make data-driven decisions that have had a tangible impact on the community. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the critical role data plays in modern local government and learn how to leverage data to drive positive change in their own organizations. Presenter: |
10:30 AM | Root Cause Workshop
Data-Driven Problem Solving: A Hands-On Workshop on Root Cause Analysis Root cause analysis is an approach to problem solving that looks at the underlying issues driving questions and to make data-driven recommendations and actions. This interactive workshop session will provide attendees with the tools and techniques they need to conduct effective root cause analysis. The session will cover the following key topics:
Attendees will leave with a better understanding of how to use root cause analysis to solve problems effectively and make data-driven decisions. The session will be interactive, and attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, share their own experiences, and work on an example. Presenter: |
11:30 AM | Educational Session
Storytelling with Data in Local Government: Communicating Local Government Impact Data is an essential tool for local government decision-making, but it is often difficult to communicate its impact to a non-technical audience. It can also be difficult to get the right data in a clean enough state to use it for storytelling. This session will provide attendees with the tools and techniques needed to effectively collect, clean, and visualize data to communicate the impact of their work to stakeholders, elected officials, and the public. The session will cover the following key topics:
This educational session will be interactive, with plenty of opportunity for attendees to ask questions, share their own experiences and learn from other local government professionals. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of how to use data storytelling to communicate their work effectively and build buy-in for their initiatives. Presenter: |
12:30 PM | Lunch |
1:30 PM | Panel Discussion
Building Data Teams in Local Government: The Challenges and Opportunities This panel discussion will bring together local government leaders who have experience building data teams, both with and without dedicated budget and staff. Join City Manager of Bakersfield, Christian Clegg, Chief Data Officer of City & County of San Francisco, Michelle Littlefield, and Chief Information Officer, Hong Sae, as they discuss their successes and challenges, providing valuable insights and practical advice for individuals interested in getting more hands-on with data and for organizations eager to bring data to the forefront. This conversation will explore questions like:
Through this interactive panel discussion, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities of building data teams in local government and will have an opportunity to ask their own questions as well. Presenters: |
3:00 PM | GIS Case Study Real-World Applications of GIS in Local Government: A Multi-Agency Case StudyGeographic Information Systems (GIS) are powerful tools for local government, providing insights, analysis, and decision-making capabilities that are essential for effective service delivery. This case study session will feature multiple local government agencies sharing their experiences with GIS, highlighting the ways in which they have used GIS to improve efficiencies, reduce costs, and better serve their communities. The session will cover the following key topics:
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from multiple agencies, representing different types of local government and different departments, and will be able to ask questions and share their own experiences. They will leave with a better understanding of the potential of GIS in local government, and with practical strategies for implementing GIS in their own organizations. Presenters: |
4:15 PM | Closing Keynote
Ride the Wave of AI AI is rapidly changing the way we work, live and play. In this talk Sadie will dive into the opportunity available with AI, where the field is headed, and how you can participate in the AI ecosystem. Presenter: |
5:00 PM | Happy Hour |