Now Open: Nominations for ISM Recognition Awards for Excellence in Human Services Information Technology

The Information Technology Solutions Management for Human Services (ISM), an affinity group of the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA), recognizes and promotes excellence in human services information technology at its national conference. The ISM 2025 Recognition Awards for Excellence in Human Services Information Technology provide national recognition for collaboration across boundaries, the best use of technology for operations, the best use of technology for customers, and excellence in individual leadership in the application of information technology to support state and local government human services.

Awards are accepted in the following categories (Click to view descriptions; full details are available in the FAQ).

Collaboration Across Boundaries

Recognizes the use of technology to support collaboration and/or integration that crosses traditional program or organizational boundaries.

Best Use of Technology for Operations-Internal

Recognizes the innovative use of technology to enhance and improve the internal productivity and/or efficiencies of the human services organization or program.

Best Use of Technology for Customers-External Facing

Recognizes the innovative use of technology to enhance and expand external service delivery to those we serve. Human services are being delivered in non-traditional places and/or methods, and these new approaches would not be possible without the thoughtful and strategic use of information technology.

The Jerry W. Friedman Excellence in Leadership – Government

Recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a clear understanding of the fundamental role that information technology can play in efficient and effective operation in the field of human services. It honors innovative leadership that has promoted sound information technology solutions, policies, and practices in federal, state, or local government. Note: this is the only award open for both an individual and/or public agency.

NEW: The Jerry W. Friedman Excellence in Leadership – Non-Government

Recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a clear understanding of the fundamental role that information technology can play in efficient and effective operation in the field of human services. It honors innovative leadership that has promoted sound information technology solutions, policies, and practices in the private sector, non-profit/CBO, and/or academia. Note: this is the only award open either an individual and/or an organization.

A committee of peers will review the completed nominations and notify winners by email in early August. All nominations must be submitted by Friday, July 18, 2025.


Accepting 2025 ISM Fellowship Applications

The ISM Fellowship application is now open for state, county, and municipal government human services agencies to apply for travel assistance to attend the ISM Education Conference & Expo. These fellowships are intended for agencies with very limited travel budgets. States, counties, and municipal human services agencies that are dues-paying members of APHSA are given priority for the CEO, CIO, CTO, and other programmatic directors to attend the conference. Recipients of a fellowship are expected to attend State and Local Forums and General Sessions, remaining at the conference through the closing session on Wednesday, September 17. Applications will be accepted through July 9, 2025.

Fellowship opportunities, choice of one, are as follows:

  • Registration Only
  • Hotel Only (up to 3 nights)
  • Airfare/Train/Mileage Only ($500)
  • Registration and Hotel (3 nights)
  • Registration and Airfare/Train/Mileage ($500)

You’re invited to join us in Reno, NV!

The IT Solutions Management for Human Services (ISM) Education Conference & Expo is where technology leaders from state, county, and federal human services agencies, as well as industry professionals, come together to learn about the latest technology trends. This annual event is produced by the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) and hosted by its affinity group, the IT Solutions Management for Human Services (ISM). Its focus is on improving public human service outcomes through technology and innovation.

The ISM Education Conference & Expo showcases groundbreaking approaches to the design and delivery of state, county, and city human services at the intersection of technology, compliance, policy and practice. This conference offers unparalleled opportunities for learning, peer networking, experiencing hands-on demonstrations of solutions, and connecting with a wide array of committed partners and organizations, all working toward the shared vision of thriving communities built on human potential.

This year, the conference is headed to Reno, Nevada, and will be held at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center! Stay tuned for a finalized agenda. We can’t wait to see you there!

Innovate, Elevate, Lead: The Future of Human Services Technology

  1. Interact with your peers, federal and state partners, and private sector experts.
  2. Dedicated sessions with federal partners, industry thought leaders and peers sharing lessons learned and best practices.
  3. Experience and hear about cutting-edge IT technologies and solutions.
  4. The program agenda is explicitly designed for IT professionals in the human services sector.
  5. The nation’s most significant human services technology event is dedicated to building community in the human services sector.

Justification for Travel Request

The letter outlines the necessity of the proposed travel to attend the 2025 ISM Education Conference & Expo, emphasizing how it will contribute to your team’s goals and foster valuable connections. It also details the expected benefits, ensuring alignment with your agency’s overall strategy and return on investment.

2025 Housing Information

APHSA has partnered with AIM Events to manage all hotel reservations for the 2025 ISM Education Conference & Expo. AIM Events provides a centralized booking site to ensure a smooth reservation process at our official conference hotels: Atlantis Resort and Peppermill Reno Hotel Resort

Booking within the official conference block helps APHSA meet its contractual obligations and supports future conference planning. Please use our secure link below to reserve your room before the respective hotel’s closing dates. 

Important Information for All Attendees: 

General Attendees: You may reserve your room directly through the dedicated booking site using the official group rates. 

Fellowship Applicants: Please DO NOT make any hotel reservations until your fellowship approval is confirmed. Making a reservation before approval will slow down the process of fellowships from being awarded. Once approved, you will receive direct booking instructions from AIM Events. 

Atlantis Resort

Run of House Rate: $199 per night
Plus a $40 Resort Fee, applicable 13% taxes, and a $2 Tourism Fee per night.

Government Per Diem Rate: $138 per night
Plus a $40 Resort Fee, applicable 13% taxes, and a $2 Tourism Fee per night.

Peppermill Reno Hotel Resort

Run of House Rate: $170 per night  
Plus a $40 Resort Fee, applicable 13% taxes, and a $2 Tourism Fee per night. 

Begin your reservation process on our dedicated housing booking webpage today. We look forward to seeing you in Reno!

Housing support in partnership with AIM Events.

AIM Events
  • Beware of housing pirates trying to represent that they have rooms available. APHSA does not have contracts with outside firms to book housing for any of our events. Always book directly from the event site to ensure you are securing a room within the APHSA-negotiated hotel.

Additional Information

Use of Debit Cards
When an individual uses a bank debit card to pay for their hotel room, the hotel may secure all funds for the entire reservation at check-in, plus a small daily fee for incidentals.

Cancellation Policy
You are responsible for canceling your hotel reservation. It must occur 72 hours before arrival to avoid a one-night room and tax penalty charge.

Need Assistance?
For questions regarding hotels, special requests on sub-blocks, or assistance with your reservation, please contact our dedicated housing support team:
ismhousing@weareaimevents.com
800-856-8567

Questions about special events at either hotel, please contact:
Donna Jarvis-Miller, CMP, CEM, Director and Show Producer

Travel & Transportation Information

The closest airport near Reno–Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is 3 miles from our two hotels, The Atlantis Resort Spa and the Peppermill Resort Spa.  Both hotels have complimentary shuttles to their respective hotels.

NOTE: APHSA does not endorse any of the listed services. This information is supplied for convenience only.

Arrive by Car

Atlantis Resort
Self-parking: free daily parking for guests

Peppermill Resort
Self-parking: free daily parking for guests

Arrive by Taxi or Rideshare Services

Estimated taxi fares:
From RNO airport, between $7-15

Estimated rideshare rates:
$14-22 for Uber; $12-20 for Lyft

Arrive by Mass Transportation

To register, you must sign in using the email associated with your APHSA profile. If you do not have a profile, you must create one. Contact our Member Services team if you have questions about your registration profile.

If you have other questions about registration, please direct those requests to our registration specialist, Dominic Hollis.

Please make a note:

  • Registering for this event is an agreement to pay the stated fees. We strongly encourage you to have your travel approved before registering. If you register before receiving travel approval and do not attend the conference, your organization is responsible for paying the registration fees. Any unpaid registration fees must be paid before arrival at the conference unless a valid purchase order is on file to guarantee payment. If your agency is paying by check, please include your confirmation notice with your payment.

2025 Registration Fees

Below are this year’s registration fees, payment information, and cancellation policies. Register before Tuesday, August 26, for the early bird savings!

2025 Registration FeesBefore August 26After August 26
Government Member: Full Conference$815.00$870.00
Government Member: Full Conference with Continuing Education Units (CE)$915.00$970.00
Government Non-Member: Full Conference$900.00$950.00
Government Non-Member: Full Conference with Continuing Education Units (CE)$1,000.00$1,050.00
Private Sector Member (Non-Sponsor): Full Conference$1,275.00$1,690.00
Private Sector Non-Member (Non-Sponsor): Full Conference$1,575.00$1,890.00
One Day: Sunday$550.00$590.00
One Day Member: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, per day$550.00$605.00
One Day Non-Member: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, per day$750.00$805.00
Students: Full Conference$200.00$250.00
Guests (receptions and meals only)$475.00$530.00
2025 Sponsor Registration FeesBefore August 26After August 26
Sponsor Full Conference Registration$895.00$995.00
Expo Hall and General Session Only Registration$725.00$825.00

Additional Information

During registration, you must provide a cell phone number and email address. The event team will use your phone number to send event updates via push notifications. This number will not be shared with any other parties.

Group Discount: 4+ Participants

Bring your team of four or more and receive a $25 discount per registration!
To obtain the registration discount code and detailed information, please use ISM25 as the discount code. Note: Discounts do not apply to additional sponsor personnel passes, as the price of additional sponsor passes has already been reduced.

Payment Information

All registration fees must be paid at the time of registration with a credit card (American Express, Visa, MasterCard) or an accompanying Purchase Order number on file with APHSA before the start of the conference. If you are paying by check, please include your confirmation notice with your payment.

Registering for this event is an agreement to pay the stated fees. We strongly encourage you to have your travel approved before registering. If you register before receiving travel approval and do not attend the summit, your organization will be responsible for paying the registration fees.

Cancellation Policy

All cancellation requests must be received in writing by Tuesday, August 26, 2025. No refunds will be available after this date. We will not accept cancellation requests by telephone. A $150 cancellation fee for pre-paid registrations and those invoiced on a purchase order will be assessed. All refunds are processed after the conference. Registration fees for attendees who do not show will not be waived or refunded. Please note that your agency is responsible for paying any fees, even if you don’t attend the conference. You are responsible for canceling your registration and any hotel reservation in accordance with the cancellation policy.

Email our registration specialist, Dominic Hollis. Please allow 24 hours for a response during business days, Monday–Friday. Emails received on Saturday or Sunday will be responded to by the end of the day the following business day.