Connecticut Data Collaborative 2024 Annual Conference is Oct. 17

The Connecticut Data Collaborative (CTData) will host its highly anticipated annual conference on Thursday, October 17, 2024. Building on the success of previous sold-out events, the conference brings together data professionals, policymakers, and community leaders to explore the pivotal role of data in driving social change and informed decision-making. Admission is free; advanced registration is required.

The conference will showcase how data integration, infrastructure development, and strategy building can improve systems and measure outcomes across various sectors. Attendees will have opportunities to learn from experts, share best practices, and network with peers in the data ecosystem.

"By bringing together diverse stakeholders at this conference, we're fostering a collaborative environment that can lead to more effective, data-informed solutions for the state's most pressing challenges," said CTData Executive Director Michelle Riordan-Nold. "From child welfare to economic development, data plays a critical role in shaping policies and programs that impact the lives of Connecticut residents."

Sixto Cancel, Founder and CEO of Think of Us, will deliver the keynote address. Cancel is a visionary leader spearheading transformative change in the foster care system through his organization's innovative use of data and lived experiences to "re-architect the child welfare system." Think of Us, based in Washington, D.C., works with government agencies, lawmakers, providers, advocates, and foundations to drive novel, scalable solutions at the federal, state, and local levels.

"We're honored to have Sixto Cancel as our keynote speaker," added Riordan-Nold. "His groundbreaking approach to leveraging data and lived experiences for systemic change in child welfare perfectly aligns with our mission of connecting people and data for good."

This event underscores CTData's crucial role in Connecticut's data landscape. As the state's leading data collaborative, CTData empowers organizations to make data-informed decisions that drive positive change in communities across Connecticut. The work they pursue in data integration, capacity building, and promoting equitable data practices has far-reaching implications for policymaking, resource allocation, and addressing complex social issues.

The conference, being held at the Heritage Hotel in Southbury, will feature a range of sessions focusing on current data trends, challenges, and opportunities. Attendees can expect discussions on topics such as bridging data gaps, improving data collection and accessibility, and using data to promote equity and social justice.

Registration for the conference is now open. For more information and to register, visit www.ctdata.org/conference2024.

Throughout the year, CTData operates the CTData Academy, which offers an array of workshops for state residents to learn more about evaluating data quality, becoming a critical consumer and creator of data, improving data work, creating impactful visualizations using data, and more.

In addition, CTData offers a data “helpline” for assisting data users with obtaining, displaying, interpreting, and using data; and Data Strategic Planning for organizations to improve internal data processes to increase data storytelling, impact measurement, and promote efficiency. CTData is a member of the National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership. For more information about CTData, visit www.ctdata.org.