2022 Annual Conference

Registration is available for the NAST Annual Conference in Philadelphia, PA at the Loews Philadelphia.
All events will take place at the hotel unless otherwise noted. The conference is business casual for all events except Tuesday evening, which is casual.  Agenda below is subject to modification. Complete agenda, including speakers’ bios, will be in the online conference app. Log in information will be sent to attendees prior to the start of the event.

Health and Safety Notice
NAST is considering the health and safety of all conference attendees and staff during the 2022 Annual Conference. NAST will follow the CDC’s COVID guidelines and Pennsylvania & Philadelphia guidelines. NAST encourages participants to take their precautions when attending activities occurring at the conference, including being vaccinated/boosted and wearing face masks. Face masks and hand sanitizer will be readily available onsite.

For the official conference program click here. 

Sunday, September 18

5:00-5:30 PM First Time Attendee & New Member Welcome Reception (Invitation Only)
5:30-7:00 PM Welcome Reception on the 33rd floor of the Loews Philadelphia

Monday, September 19

8:00-8:45 AM Networking Breakfast
8:45-9:30 AM Conference Kick off with NAST President Treasurer Wooden & Host State Welcome with Treasurer Garrity

9:30-10:30 AM How a Blockchain can Enable Tracking of Cash Flows (and Other Assets)
A panel of experts will discuss current applications of blockchain being implemented at the state and local levels. The speakers have thought critically about the technology and usage and will discuss their still-evolving knowledge of the history, current programs, and future of blockchains in the public sector.

10:45-11:30 AM Federal Legislative Update with NAST’s advocacy firm Williams & Jensen

11:30 AM-12:15 PM Networking Lunch

12:15-1:30 PM All Things ABLE
Join U.S. Senator Bob Casey (PA) for his remarks on the legislative future of the ABLE Act along with a roundtable update from ABLE champions and disability leaders on how NAST is enhancing national ABLE outreach, partnerships, and program support through its newly formed ABLE Savings Plans Network and ABLE today initiative.

1:30-3:15 PM NAST Annual Business Meeting & Officer Elections

3:30-4:30 PM NAST Corporate Affiliate Board Meeting 

3:45-4:45 PM 529/ABLE Advocacy Forum hosted by CSPN Federal Initiatives Committee 

6:30-9:00 PM Evening Reception and Galleries at National Constitution Center.

Tuesday, September 20

7:30-8:15 AM Networking Breakfast 

8:00- 9:00 AM Annual Awards Presentations

9:00-9:40 AM Special Appearance with Benjamin Franklin
Join us for a special appearance with Dr. Franklin as he addresses the business, banking and insurance side of the founding of America. There will be plenty of time for Q&A and photos!

9:45-10:45 AM Engaging Small Businesses
A distinguished panel of Treasurers and other experts will discuss the impact of state-facilitated retirement programs on businesses, including state actions to engage small business and reduce administrative burdens on employers to facilitate program participation.

11:00-12:00 PM Cyber Fraud, Risk Assessment and Mitigation
With staff and third-party vendors working in the office and from home, the risk of a cyber attack has increased. As fiscal stewards for the state it is imperative that Treasury offices are taking practical steps to mitigate the attack, when, not if, it comes. This panel of experts will offer solutions for adapting to the new work environment.

12:00-1:30 PM Lunch & Keynote Address – Market Volatility and Economic Forces
With a possible prolonged downturn in the economy coupled with ongoing geopolitical concerns, attendees will hear from Dana Peterson on how these factors may affect state treasury offices.
Speaker: Dana Peterson, Chief Economist & Center Leader of Economy, Strategy & Finance at The Conference Board. Peterson joined The Conference Board from Citi, where for many years she served as a North America Economist and later as a Global Economist. Her wealth of experience extends to the public sector, having also worked at the Federal Reserve Board in Washington, D.C.

1:30-3:00 PM Treasurers’ Roundtable

3:15-4:15 PM Deputy Treasurers/Chiefs of Staff Caucus Meeting

4:15-5:00 PM General Counsel Caucus Meeting 

7:00-10:00 PM Evening at Reading Terminal Market Just a block from the hotel makes for an easy walk.

Wednesday, September 21

8:00-9:00 AM Networking Breakfast

9:00-10:30 AM Improvisation to Improve Leadership Skills and Enhanced Communication in the Office: Back by popular demand!
With roots in behavioral science and improvisation, participants will participate in exercises, the same exercises used to train actors on Saturday Night Live. After each exercise, Katlin Hall will guide the discussion towards our ‘ah-ha’ learning moments designed to prompt participants to think differently about business and other professional conversations. At the end of the workshop we’ll review why these new skills may matter to you and how you can incorporate what was learned into your workplace and other critical conversations. Participants will leave with actionable new skills to start using right away.