SDFM PDI 2024: On the Rise
Written by: Vera Medici
Management Concepts was proud to be the top sponsor of the Society of Defense Financial Management (SDFM) national Professional Development Institute (PDI), the premier annual SDFM event, drawing nearly 6,000 attendees to Phoenix, Arizona, May 29-31, 2024, and over 1,000 additional attendees tuning in virtually. SDFM—formerly the American Society of Military Comptrollers (ASMC) —announced the new organization name to reflect the evolution of the 76-year-old organization and the wide range of functions SDFM members in the defense financial management (FM) community perform. This week-long event included preconference Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM) preparation, a two-day exhibit hall, multiple minicourses, workshops, and sessions as well as plenty of networking opportunities.
The preconference CDFM sessions prepared Department of Defense (DoD) FM professionals working toward their Enhanced Defense Financial Manager Training Certification (EDFMTC) to pass the certification test. The sessions featured the redesigned and electronically optimized Module 1: Resource Management Environment; CDFM Module 2: Budget & Cost Analysis; Module 3: Accounting & Finance; and Module 4: Acquisition Business Management, all available through the Management Concepts partnership with SDFM.
Management Concepts also presented two minicourses during the event, including the always popular “Budgeting and Accounting: Making the Connection,” with 500 people filling the session room and additional virtual attendees tuning in remotely. The second minicourse, “Benefit–Cost Analysis,” also boasted strong attendance. In addition to the heavily FM-focused minicourses, Management Concepts hosted two workshops. “Charting the Future: Navigating the Federal Data Ethics Frontier” in the data analytics and digital transformation track took attendees through the history of the beginnings of government regulations of data through to present-day uses of data and the burgeoning use of artificial intelligence in FM applications. (Watch the related webinar: AI and Data Ethics: Proceed with Caution, and learn more in the Management Concepts “Federal Data Ethics Framework” course.) The second workshop, “Navigating Change in Turbulent Times,” in the Leadership and Management track explored how people react to change, emotional intelligence as a component of leading through the curve of change, and best practices for change communication. (Watch the webinar “The Principles of Leading Organizational Change,” and enhance your skills through the Management Concepts course “Leading Organizational Change.”)
In the exhibit hall, attendees took advantage of visiting dozens of exhibit booths of SDFM corporate members, government agencies, and other organizations. At the Management Concepts booth, SDFM members talked to our knowledgeable staff about the many ways Management Concepts supports the DoD FM community through workforce development services, certifications, training programs, learning portals, credentialing, complimentary webinars, and more. With over 200 courses aligned to the DoD FM Certification MyLearn and as a CFO Council Trusted Training Provider, Management Concepts is defense ready. For those interested in instructor and subject matter expert opportunities, individuals had the opportunity to speak directly with a recruiter to learn about how to join our team with a flexible schedule working on a contract basis. For details, download the overview, or visit our Careers page to apply.
As with any large event, the networking time outside of the educational sessions provided time for attendees to relax and make connections. Embodying the PDI theme of “Building Unity in the FM Community,” conference attendees had the opportunity to kick off the event at the Early Arrivers Reception. The Welcome Reception in the exhibit hall closed out the first day of PDI. But the most energetic and fun-filled networking event of the conference was the Chapter Street Fair Party, which took place the evening before the last full day of sessions. Attendees relaxed in a block party atmosphere outside of the convention center, playing lawn games and dancing to a lively DJ mix. A variety of locally inspired Southwest food including tacos and churros were offered up along with carnival treats like cotton candy. Rich Brady, CEO of SDFM, and Steve Maier, president of Management Concepts, which sponsored the street fair party, addressed the crowd. SDFM Chapters set up tables with information about their local chapters. But perhaps the most welcome guests of all were the two miniature donkeys who mingled with the crowd, drawing plenty of attention and photo opportunities.
Check out photos of PDI 2024 on our Facebook page, and stay informed of upcoming participation in SDFM events on our partnership page. Management Concepts is looking forward to PDI 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana—see you there!
