Conservation Business Managers Association (CBMA) Conference

September 3, 2024 - September 6, 2024

Boise, Idaho

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.

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENTS!

Schedule of Events

September 3-6th, 2024
Boise, Idaho

Jump to Schedule

Registration

Register Here

Lodging

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

Grove Hotel Block Reservations

Hotel 43 Block Reservations

Join us as a Sponsor!

Gain exposure to fish & wildlife professionals, networking opportunities, exchange ideas, and learn about the challenges your customer agencies are facing.

Sponsor Here


Travel Information

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.


Schedule-at-a-Glance

Subject to change

Tuesday, September 3rd

12:00 PM – 5:00 PMRegistration Open
12:00 PM – 5:00 PMExhibitor Set-Up
6:00 PM – 8:00 PMBasque Block Welcome Reception

Wednesday, September 4th

7:00 AM – 12:00 PMRegistration Open
7:00 AM – 3:30 PMExhibits Open
7:00 AM- 8:00 AMBreakfast
8:00 AM – 8:30 AMWelcome – IDFG Director, Jim Fredericks
8:30 AM – 10:00 AMKeynote Speaker – Robert Mazur
10:00 AM – 10:30 AMBreak w/ Sponsors
10:30 AM – 12:00 PMCommittee Breakouts (open only to state employees agency employees)
Accounting & Audit
Administration & Budget
Human Resources
Information Technology
Licensing
Procurement
Engineering
12:00 PM – 1:00 PMLunch Buffet
1:00 PM – 3:00 PMCommittee 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 PMBreak w/ Sponsors & Prepare for afternoon activities
3:30 PM – 8:30 PMField Trips! -Rafting at Bear Valley OR
-Fall Flight at the World Center for Birds of Prey
7:00 PM – 10:00 PMHospitality Suite

Thursday, September 5th

7:00 AM – 4:00 PMExhibits Open
7:00 AM- 8:00 AMBreakfast
8:00 AM – 8:30 AMWelcome to Day 2
8:30 AM – 9:30 AMKeynote Speaker – Dr. Jeremy Graves
9:30 AM – 10:00 AMBreak w/ Sponsors
10:00 AM – 12:00 PMCommittee Breakouts (all sessions open to all conference attendees)
Accounting & Audit
Administration & Budget
Human Resources
Information Technology
Licensing
Procurement
Engineering
12:00 PM – 1:00 PMLunch Buffet
1:00 PM – 3:30 PMCommittee 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 PMBreak w/ Sponsors
5:30 PMBuses Depart for Closing Banquet
6:00 PM – 9:00 PMClosing Banquet at Stueckle Sky Center
9:00 PM – 11:00 PMHospitality Suite

Friday, September 6th

7:00 AM- 8:00 AMExecutive Session
7:00 AM – 10:00 AMExhibits Open
8:00 AM – 9:00 AMBreakfast
9:00 AM – 10:00 AMHost / Co-host State Handoff Meeting

Thank you to our
Meeting Sponsors!


Sponsored By:

Platinum Level

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Bronze Level


Keynote Speaker Highlights

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.

Members

WAFWA Members
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game
  • Alberta Fish and Wildlife Division
  • Arizona Game and Fish Department
  • British Columbia Ministry of Forest Lands and Natural Resources Operations
  • California Department of Fish and Game
  • Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife
  • Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife
  • Idaho Department of Fish and Game
  • Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
  • Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
  • Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
  • Nevada Department of Wildlife
  • New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
  • North Dakota Game & Fish Department
  • Oklahoma Dept. of Wildlife Conservation
  • Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks
  • Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
  • Utah Department of Natural Resources
  • Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
  • Wyoming Game and Fish Department
  • Yukon Department of Environment
CBMA Members
  • Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources
  • Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
  • Illinois Department of Natural Resources
  • Indiana Department of Natural Resources
  • Iowa Department of Natural Resources
  • Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism
  • Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
  • Michigan Department of Natural Resources
  • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
  • Missouri Department of Conservation
  • Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
  • New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
  • North Dakota Game & Fish Department
  • Ohio Department of Natural Resources
  • Pennsylvania Game Commission
  • South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
  • South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks
  • Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
  • Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

WAFWA – CBMA Conference

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).

Rotation Schedule For Hosting the Conference

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.

Past Conferences

Workshop Proceedings