The Fish and Wildlife Administrative Officers from the Western Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) and the Conservation Business Managers Association (CBMA) throughout the United States and Canada are dedicated to raising the standards and establishing best practices in support of promoting a broader understanding and acceptance of the value of business management as a tool of natural resource management.
This annual conference is an opportunity for State Fish and Wildlife Agency Administrative Staff to interact with their peers from other agencies throughout the United States and Canada. Administrative staff represent the heads of Procurement, Licensing, Information Technology, Human Resources, Finance and Budget. The first workshop was hosted by WAFWA in 1961!
Join us for the 2024 WAFWA Administrative Officers Workshop (AOW) and CBMA Joint Conference in Boise, Idaho.
$445 if registered by July 15th,
$495 if registering after July 15th.
Registration includes entry into all sessions, Tuesday Basque Block Welcome Reception, one Wednesday field trip, Thursday Banquet, Hospitality Suite, and any breakfasts, breaks, and lunches on the conference schedule.
Boise Centre
850 W Front St.
Boise, ID 83702
Rooms are available at the The Grove Hotel located at 245 S Capitol Blvd, Boise, ID
Rooms are also available at Hotel 43 located at 981 W Grove St, Boise, ID
Group Rate Deadline is
August 12th, 2024
View Sponsor Brochure here.
Getting to Boise:
For those flying, downtown Boise is only a 10-minute drive from the Boise Airport. Please note the conference happens close to the Labor Day holiday, and we strongly encourage you to book your travel early this year.
Getting Around Boise:
Both The Grove Hotel and Hotel 43 offer complimentary airport shuttles, self-parking for a fee, or valet parking for a fee. Please see each hotel’s FAQ below. Additionally, the Boise Centre has parking options at and around the facility, linked below. Boise’s city blocks are easily traversed, but rideshares, taxis, and public transportation are also available.
Subject to change
Tuesday, September 3rd | |
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Registration Open |
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Exhibitor Set-Up |
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Basque Block Welcome Reception |
Wednesday, September 4th | |
7:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Registration Open |
7:00 AM – 3:30 PM | Exhibits Open |
7:00 AM- 8:00 AM | Breakfast |
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM | Welcome – IDFG Director, Jim Fredericks |
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Keynote Speaker – Robert Mazur |
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Break w/ Sponsors |
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Committee Breakouts (open only to state employees agency employees) Accounting & Audit Administration & Budget Human Resources Information Technology Licensing Procurement Engineering |
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch Buffet |
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Committee Breakouts (open only to state employees agency employees) Accounting & Audit Administration & Budget Human Resources Information Technology + Licenses JOINT SESSION Procurement + Engineering JOINT SESSION |
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM | Break w/ Sponsors & Prepare for afternoon activities |
3:30 PM – 8:30 PM | Field Trips! -Rafting at Bear Valley OR -Fall Flight at the World Center for Birds of Prey |
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Hospitality Suite |
Thursday, September 5th | |
7:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Exhibits Open |
7:00 AM- 8:00 AM | Breakfast |
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM | Welcome to Day 2 |
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM | Keynote Speaker – Dr. Jeremy Graves |
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Break w/ Sponsors |
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Committee Breakouts (all sessions open to all conference attendees) Accounting & Audit Administration & Budget Human Resources Information Technology Licensing Procurement Engineering |
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch Buffet |
1:00 PM – 3:30 PM | Committee Breakouts (all sessions open to all conference attendees) Accounting & Audit + Administration & Budget + USFWS Representative JOINT SESSION Human Resources Information Technology Licensing Procurement Engineering |
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM | Break w/ Sponsors |
5:30 PM | Buses Depart for Closing Banquet |
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Closing Banquet at Stueckle Sky Center |
9:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Hospitality Suite |
Friday, September 6th | |
7:00 AM- 8:00 AM | Executive Session |
7:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Exhibits Open |
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Breakfast |
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Host / Co-host State Handoff Meeting |
Sponsored By:
ROBERT MAZUR has earned global acclaim as one of the world’s leading experts about the financial escapades of the underworld. There is no one with more first-hand knowledge about how the underworld launders nearly $2 trillion in criminal proceeds annually. For years, in the eyes of organized crime leaders, he was a sophisticated mob-connected money launderer that helped manage their illicit fortunes. His clients, some of the most famous and deadly drug cartel bosses, offered a $1/2 million price tag for his head when arrests were made around the world and he was revealed to be a highly-trained U.S. federal undercover agent.
Robert is the New York Times bestselling author of The Infiltrator, a memoir about the first half of his undercover life acting as a conduit between Pablo Escobar’s Medellin Drug Cartel and corrupt senior international bank executives that cleaned billions in blood-stained money. Escobar’s corrupt lawyers and dirty bankers taught Mazur more about real-life money laundering than governments will ever know. The Infiltrator, is available in 10 languages and in more than 50 countries. It was the basis for the internationally released major motion picture by the same name, starring Bryan Cranston, Diane Kruger, and other globally known cast members. Robert has transformed his underworld experience and current day involvement in the financial crime field into remarkable lessons for today’s business sector
DR. JEREMY GRAVES ignites minds and empowers organizations to unlock the hidden potential of their multi-generational teams. As Director of Professional and Continuing Education at Boise State University, he champions innovative programs that equip leaders with the tools to navigate the dynamic landscape of intergenerational collaboration.
He’s also a sought-after keynote speaker and author of three acclaimed books, Leading Across Generations (2018), The Leader Paradox (2023), and his forthcoming book Change Leadership, where he dissects the complexities of organizational transformation and provides actionable strategies for success.
Jeremy’s passion lies in bridging generational divides and cultivating vibrant work environments where diverse perspectives collide to spark innovation. He draws upon his extensive experience teaching leadership courses in the LEAD program, leading workshops across the globe, and consulting with organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 500s. His expertise in generational dynamics, team building, and cultural restructuring empowers organizations to achieve breakthrough results and unleash the synergy of intergenerational collaboration.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Jeremy enjoys cheering on the Boise State Broncos, catching a hockey game, Go Steelheads! and spending quality time with his family in scenic Boise, Idaho.
The Western Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) hosts the Conservation Business Managers Association (CBMA) throughout the United States and Canada to enable raising the standards and establishing best practices in support of promoting a broader understanding and acceptance of the value of business management as a tool of natural resource management.
This annual conference is an opportunity for State Fish and Wildlife Agency Administrative Staff to interact with their peers from other agencies throughout the United States and Canada. Administrative staff represent the heads of Procurement, Licensing, Information Technology, Human Resources, Finance and Budget. The first workshop was hosted by WAFWA in 1961, view the WAFWA AOW objectives and membership (PDF, 99 KB). The first joint WAFWA AOW and CBMA conference was held in 2002. View the Host, Co-Host Responsiblities (PDF, 134 KB).
The WAFWA / CBMA Joint Workshop is a annual meeting held in odd numbered years sanctioned by WAFWA to accomplish this common goal by providing a forum for members to discuss current issues, exchange ideas and information through study, education, research and cooperative communication.