ASMC PDI 2023: How to Celebrate 75 Years in 5 Days
Written by: Vera Medici
Over 4,500 defense financial management professionals converged on St. Louis (and 1,500 logged in online) to attend the American Society of Military Comptrollers (ASMC) Professional Development Institute (PDI), May 29–June 2, 2023. As ASMC celebrated its 75th anniversary, Management Concepts also acknowledged its 50th anniversary and had the honor of supporting PDI 2023 as the jubilee sponsor. Throughout the week PDI offered a variety of learning and networking opportunities, with Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM) training courses, mini-courses, sessions, an exhibit hall, receptions, and additional events and activities for ASMC members. Although it would be impossible to recount all of these in full, we’ll recap the highlights and welcome comments from other attendees.
Monday May 29—Kicking Off
Although Monday, May 29, was Memorial Day, this did not stop dedicated learners who were pursuing their CDFM Certification from showing up for training sessions to prepare for taking their certification tests.
Since January 1, 2023, Management Concepts and ASMC have expanded their educational partnership, with Management Concepts assuming responsibility for updating and delivering the Enhanced Defense Financial Management Training Course (EDFMTC), the CDFM refresher courses, and the Module Four Acquisition Business Management (“Book Four”) course, leveraging the power of Management Concepts’ in-house instructional designers and subject matter experts to allow ASMC to continue offering its valuable Department of Defense (DoD) Financial Management (FM) Certification while freeing up time for the association to offer even more benefits to its members.
Tuesday, May 30—Getting Rolling
CDFM courses continued on Tuesday, with additional workshops and the added activity of over 50 exhibitors setting up their booth spaces for the busy two days ahead. This was capped off by the Early Arrivers Reception in the CDFM session area of the convention center.
Wednesday, May 31—Now We’re Cookin’
Bright and early Wednesday morning, crowds descended on the exhibit hall, with attendees stocking up on coffee and exhibitor giveaways before finding their way to the opening general session followed by breakout sessions for continuing education credit.
The opening general session kept ASMC PDI tradition intact with a color guard, salute to veterans, a rendition of the national anthem, and a medley of songs from each branch of the armed services. ASMC CEO Rich Brady took the stage to welcome attendees and introduce the keynote speaker, the Honorable Michael McCord, chief financial officer, undersecretary of defense (comptroller), U.S. Department of Defense. The general session following the awards luncheon featured as keynote speaker the Honorable Stacy Marcott, deputy chief financial officer, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Wednesday was also Service Day, and each branch of the armed services held special sessions covering timely updates and policies and programs specific to their own organizations.
The Management Concepts exhibit booth was a show-stopping space for attendees to learn about Management Concepts products and services, from defense financial management to acquisition and contracting courses, leadership and management, project and program management, and many other complementary training topics. In all, Management Concepts has over 200 courses aligned to the DoD FM Certification, offered both online and in person, for individual and group training. The day concluded with an evening welcome reception in the exhibit hall, wrapping up a nearly 13-hour day for intrepid PDI attendees.
Thursday, June 1—Doin’ It Up
Another action-packed day awaited attendees on the second day of sessions, minicourses, and the exhibit hall. The “Building a Premier FM Workforce” session, moderated by Patrick Porter, strategic account executive at Management Concepts, featured a panel of distinguished guest speakers including Peter Bowman, Human Capital Branch head, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, (Financial Management and Comptroller), Fiscal and Administrative Division; Kimberly Carder, Education and Technical Division director, OUSD(C) Department of Defense Financial Management Certification Program (DFMCP); and Stephen Herrera, managing director, Federal Advisory Services, KPMG, U.S. Air Force civilian Senior Executive Service (ret.). These professionals drew from their personal experience to answer questions revolving around the state of the FM workforce, what actions are or could be employed to build on success and accelerate growth, and ultimately what, to each panelist, would a “premier FM workforce” look like.
The nuts and bolts of financial management were also very much a part of the day. The Management Concepts Budgeting and Accounting minicourse maxed out the room at over 500 attendees. Multiple other minicourses to choose from also filled attendees’ agendas.
The exhibit hall also continued through the afternoon on its last day. The Jubilee Reception took place later in the evening at Ballpark Village. Attendees packed the two-level restaurant space adjacent to Busch Stadium, home of the Cardinals, enjoying the festivities and ballpark-themed refreshments and the opportunity to tour the Cardinals museum. ASMC leadership made a variety of commemorative remarks to the audience and cut a 75th anniversary cake.
Friday, June 2—Wrapping It Up
Sessions and minicourses continued on Friday, and by the end of the afternoon it was apparent that it had been an exciting time but a long week. As the in-person attendees departed St. Louis and online attendees logged off, it was clear that PDI 2023 had been a huge success. ASMC’s 75th anniversary marked at PDI 2023 was truly something to celebrate, with only more promise for PDI 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona.
In the Meantime
View event photos on our Facebook page, and keep up to date on all Management Concepts partnership activities with ASMC on our ASMC partnership page, where you’ll find upcoming events, webinar opportunities, and additional content for FM professionals.
