2025 Georgia Records Association Conference

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2025 Georgia Records Association Conference
September 14 – 17, 2025
Crowne Plaza, Peachtree City, Georgia

Conference Overview

Join us for the 2025 Georgia Records Association Conference, where professionals from across the state will gather to explore the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in records management.

This year’s conference will feature:

Presentations from industry leaders on emerging challenges and innovations.
Interactive workshops on preservation, security, compliance, and more.
Networking opportunities with fellow professionals and vendors.
Bingo Night – Monday, September 15 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Registration Information

Registration – Space is limited to 150 attendees.
Cost: $440 per person (includes classes and meals as outlined below)

What's Included:

Workshops:
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Meals:
- Breakfast: Monday through Wednesday
- Lunch: Monday and Tuesday (12:00 PM – 1:30 PM)
- Dinner: On your own

Important Registration Notes:

Attendees must register for workshops in advance.
It's essential that you personally complete your registration. Only you are aware of the specific sessions and requirements needed to fulfill your GRMP certificate or personal learning objectives.

Changes to workshop selections will not be permitted later.

If someone else is handling your payment, please follow these steps to ensure accurate registration and processing:

1) Log in to your member portal and complete your registration selections.

2) Choose your payment method:

If paying by credit card, select “Check” at checkout to hold your registration. Then, have the person assisting with payment join you to enter the credit card details directly.
If paying by check or ACH, print your invoice and submit it along with GRA’s W-9 GRA-W9-2025.pdf to your accounts payable office.
For ACH payments, make sure your accounts payable department includes the member's name and invoice number in the memo field. To ensure prompt application, email member@georgiarecords.org to confirm your organization will send an electronic payment.

In the Member365 system:

Registration options are listed as Tickets
Classes and sessions are called Workshops
Use the “View Details” option to read workshop descriptions
You cannot register for overlapping workshops scheduled at the same time

Make your selections carefully due to the changes in the system.

Accommodations

Hotel: Crowne Plaza, Peachtree City
Reservation Line: 1-877-227-6963

When booking, provide the following:

Group Name: GRA 2025 Annual Conference
Group Code: DF5
Group Dates: September 14–17, 2025

Rate: $140.00 per night ($135.00 + $5.00 GA Hotel Fee) + 7% GA State Tax & 8% Occupancy Tax

Note: You must present a tax-exempt form at check-in to receive the special rate.

ADA Accommodations:
If you require accessible rooms or features, please notify the hotel in advance to ensure your needs are met.

Crowne Plaza is located on 38 beautiful acres in the heart of Peachtree City, Georgia, Crowne Plaza Atlanta SW Peachtree City Hotel and Conference Center's campus setting provides a distraction-free environment where learning, sharing, and networking thrive.

Home to the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater, shopping, dining, and over 90 miles of multi-use paths, Peachtree City is where active lifestyle meets relaxation and leisure.

Our newly renovated guestrooms provide a distinctive spirit of gracious Southern hospitality combined with ultra-modern amenities. Take a jog or romantic stroll on our wooded paths, a dip in our indoor heated pool, enjoy a refreshing meal in our Two01 Restaurant overlooking the lake, and evening drinks in our Two01 Bar; there is no shortage of options.

Join Us!

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to connect with records professionals, expand your knowledge, and help shape the future of records management in Georgia.

Mark your calendar and register early to secure your spot!

Important Conference Information (Conference Agenda & W9 for Check Payments)

2025_GRA_Conference_Agenda.pdf

GRA-W9-2025.pdf

2025 Georgia Records Association Conference - Peachtree City

September 14 - 17, 2025
201 Aberdeen Parkway
Peachtree City, Georgia
United States
30269

Event Workshops

Government In The Sunshine: Georgia’s Open Government Laws

September 15, 2025 09:00 - 10:30
Fee: $0.00
Seats Remaining:58

Government in the Sunshine: Georgia’s Open Government Laws

This session facilitated by the Attorney General’s Office will provide an overview of Georgia’s Open Records Act and Open Meetings Act, as well as the Attorney General’s enforcement authority under the Acts and the office’s Open Government Mediation Program. Participates will explore the legal requirements for receiving and responding to Open Records requests and ensuring that meetings are open and accessible to the public. This session will equip attendees with practical knowledge and understanding to ensure compliance with the Acts and foster accountability and transparency in their agencies.

Speaker:

Kristen Settlemire

AK1 - 2 Hours

Aberdeen Ballroom

AI: What Does This Mean For Records Management? (AK4/AK5)

September 15, 2025 11:00 - 12:00
Fee: $0.00
Seats Remaining:40

AI: What Does This Mean for Records Management?

Discover what AI means for the future of records management. This session will cover the benefits and challenges* of integrating AI into records management practices, providing insights into the potential for innovation and improvement.

Speaker: Mike Beaudreau, MCCinnovations

AK4/AK5 - 1 Hour

Aberdeen Ballroom

Laying The Foundation For A Successful Records And Information Management Program (AK3)

September 15, 2025 11:00 - 12:00
Fee: $0.00
Seats Remaining:63

Laying the Foundation for a Successful Records and Information Management Program

Effective records and information management (RIM) is crucial for organizational efficiency, compliance, and risk mitigation. However, implementing a successful RIM program requires more than just policies and technology—it demands a strong foundation built on a thorough analysis of the current state and cleanup of existing records. Without this critical first step, organizations risk perpetuating inefficiencies, data security concerns, and compliance gaps.

This session will provide attendees with a structured approach to launching a RIM program, beginning with an assessment of the program needs and current records, followed by an organized cleanup to eliminate redundancy and ensure data integrity. Through practical strategies and real-world case studies, participants will gain actionable insights into evaluating records, identifying gaps, and executing a cleanup plan that paves the way for sustainable program success.

By attending this session, participants will:

1. Gain an understanding of the requirements for implementing a RIM program.

2. Understand the importance of assessment and cleanup in RIM program implementation.

3. Learn techniques for evaluating the current state of records and information management.

4. Identify common challenges and strategies to overcome them in the cleanup phase.

5. Develop a roadmap for transitioning from cleanup to full program implementation.

6. Gain practical tips for engaging stakeholders and ensuring long-term success.

Session Format:

This engaging presentation will include interactive discussions, case study analyses, and practical implementation strategies. Attendees will leave equipped with a clear understanding of how to conduct a records assessment and cleanup as the foundation for a successful RIM program.

Speakers:

Kiji Burston, MBA, IGP

Director of Information Governance and Operations

Cadence Group

Gregg Long, JD CRM IGP

Senior Information Governance Consultant

Cadence Group

AK3 - 1 hour

McIntosh Ballroom

The Role Of Artificial Intelligence In Modern Records Management (AK5)

September 15, 2025 14:00 - 15:00
Fee: $0.00
Seats Remaining:59

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Modern Records Management.

Explore how AI is transforming the way records are created, stored, retrieved, and analyzed. * Automating Records Classification: How AI can streamline the categorization of records, reducing manual effort and errors. * Data Security and Privacy: The role of AI in safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring compliance with regulations.

* Predictive Analytics: Using AI to forecast trends and make data-driven decisions in records management. * Ethical AI Practices: Addressing biases, transparency, and responsible use of AI in managing public records.

Speaker:

Foster A. Scotland,

MBA, CAGS-Cyber, PMP, CISM Chief Information Security Officer Information Technology Services

Dr. Foster A. Scotland is the Chief Information Security Officer for the University of West Georgia and a former Lecturer of Information Technology and Cybersecurity at Kennesaw State University in the College of Computing and Software Engineering.

He has over 30 years in the information technology industry with the last 12 being in higher education. His technical certifications include CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Citrix Certified Administration, Cisco Certified Technician, Microsoft SharePoint 2013/O365, Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist, Azure Certified Administrator, Amazon Solutions Architect Professional, Amazon Cloud Practitioner, Amazon Educator, Project Management Professional, Certified Information Security Manager, and Certified Information Systems Auditor.

He is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Science in Information Technology and plans to continue teaching and consulting. His research interest includes using IoT devices to teach cybersecurity frameworks in higher education, using integrated instruction to teach cybersecurity principles, artificial intelligence, and leveraging blockchain for business start-up capital.

AK5 - 1 Hour/Credit

Aberdeen Ballroom

Understanding The Georgia Records Act: Compliance Essentials (AK3)

September 15, 2025 14:00 - 15:30
Fee: $0.00
Seats Remaining:47

Understanding the Georgia Records Act: Compliance Essentials

The Georgia Records Act outlines the legal framework for managing public records, ensuring transparency and accountability. This session breaks down the key requirements, including records retention, access, and destruction policies. Attendees will gain insights into demonstrating compliance and avoiding common pitfalls.

Speakers:

Christine Garrett/Rebbeca Wood

AK3 - 1.5 hours

McIntosh Ballroom

Q & A With GRA

September 15, 2025 15:30 - 16:30
Fee: $0.00
Seats Remaining:86

Q & A with GRA

This is your opportunity to ask your GRA Board questions

Balancing Security, Structure, And Accessibility In HR Electronic Records Management (AK5)

September 16, 2025 08:00 - 09:00
Fee: $0.00
Seats Remaining:68

Balancing security, structure, and accessibility in HR electronic records management

Compliance, Governance, and Public Records Laws - As organizations transition to digital HR recordkeeping, the need for a well-structured, secure, and user-friendly electronic records management system becomes paramount. This session explores best practices for managing HR records, focusing on security profiles, folder structure, retention schedules, and ease of use. Attendees will gain insights into developing a framework that protects confidential data while maintaining efficiency and compliance.

Speaker:

Danielle Ruedt - City of Duluth

John Garcia - City of Duluth

AK5 - 1 Hour

Aberdeen Ballroom

AK5

1 Hour/Credit

This Is Going To Court: Customer Service On Trial (AK4)

September 16, 2025 08:00 - 09:00
Fee: $0.00
Seats Remaining:43

This is Going to Court: Customer Service on Trial

How professionalism in Emergency Call Handling Impacts Legal and Public Outcomes. Learning Objectives: Understanding the legal Importance of 911 Records, Master Effective Communication under pressure and develop best practices for documenting and presenting 911 calls.

Speaker: Sharon Miller - Fayette County

AK4 - 1 Hour/Credit

McIntosh Ballroom

The Importance Of Preservation/Pre-Preservation Along With Digitization. (AK4/AK5)

September 16, 2025 09:30 - 11:00
Fee: $0.00
Seats Remaining:110

The Importance of Preservation/Pre-Preservation along with Digitization.

Speaker:

Mike Sample

AK4/AK5 - 1.5 Hours

Aberdeen Ballroom

Bare Essentials For Electronic Records Archives (AK5)

September 16, 2025 09:30 - 11:00
Fee: $0.00
Seats Remaining:48

Bare Essentials for Electronic Records Archives

Will cover key topics such as current trends in electronic records management, including Software as a Service (SaaS), improving search and retrieval of archives, and workflow automation for file plans and legal holds.

We will also explore the importance of data security, encryption at rest, and the application of artificial intelligence for categorization and duplicate removal. Furthermore, we plan to include a Q&A session following our presentation to engage with attendees and address any questions they may have. Our insights will be valuable to attendees and contribute to the conference's success.

Speakers:

James McGriff, President

Jeremy McGriff, Vice President

AK5

1.5 Hours

McIntosh Ballroom

Efficiency And Modernization: Tips For Thriving In An Era Of Change (AK4/AK5)

September 16, 2025 11:00 - 12:00
Fee: $0.00
Seats Remaining:25

Efficiency and Modernization: Tips for Thriving in an Era of Change:

Join us for a discussion on evolving technology that helps you excel in today's changing environment. We'll share practical advice on the technologies you can leverage to update your operations, enhancing efficiency without adding extra workload.

Speaker:

Mike Beaudreau

MCCinnovations

AK4/AK5 - 1 Hour

Aberdeen Ballroom

The Calm Before The Storm: A Brief Introduction To Disaster Preparedness (AK2)

September 16, 2025 11:00 - 12:00
Fee: $0.00
Seats Remaining:83

The Calm Before the Storm: A Brief Introduction to Disaster Preparedness

Hurricanes, tornadoes, or a seemingly harmless toilet are all disasters waiting to happen. Get your feet wet in this brief introduction to disaster preparedness. Participants will learn what proactive plans can mitigate disasters of Mother Nature or human nature and how to develop and test plans specific to individual governments.

Speakers:

Shannon Gavin Johnson - Executive Director

Emma McQuiston - Assistant Director/ Government Records Archivist

Troup County History and Archives

AK2 - 1 Hour

McIntosh Ballroom

The Georgia Open Records Act Made Easy: Best Practices For Facilitating ORA Compliance (AK1)

September 16, 2025 14:00 - 16:30
Fee: $0.00
Seats Remaining:58

The Georgia Open Records Act Made Easy: Best Practices for Facilitating ORA Compliance

This session will provide an overview of what the Georgia Open Records Act (ORA) requires of state and local agencies. It will cover recent court rulings interpreting the ORA, discuss how to handle records requests from the media, and provide tips for streamlining public records request compliance.

Speakers:

Clare R. Norins is a Clinical Associate Professor and director of the University of Georgia School of Law’s First Amendment Clinic which represents clients in federal and state court on a range of First Amendment and media law issues. In private practice, she represented plaintiffs on First Amendment and other civil rights claims, focused in the area of policing and employment discrimination. She previously served as an assistant attorney general for the State of New York and as assistant director of UGA’s Equal Opportunity Office. She is a board member of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation.

Ward Evans is the Georgia Journalism Attorney at the University of Georgia School of Law’s First Amendment Clinic. He previously worked as an associate at Johnson Marlowe LLP in Athens and clerked for Chief Judge Chris Phelps in the Northern Judicial Circuit. Ward graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law in 2022, and he is originally from the Athens area.

AK1 - 2.5 Hours

Aberdeen Ballroom

Creating A Future For Our History (AK2)

September 17, 2025 10:30 - 12:00
Fee: $0.00
Seats Remaining:71

Creating a Future for Our History

Explore the unique challenges of preserving and displaying WWII artifacts, including historic warbirds, to educate, honor, and inspire visitors. This engaging session will highlight the importance of artifact conservation and storytelling in aviation history. Attendees will gain insight into the efforts behind maintaining these invaluable pieces of the past, with a special appearance by Rosie the Riveter and select artifacts. Including Education Officer Jim Dalton—a Marine, pilot, and seasoned attorney—to share his expertise.

Speakers:

Jim Dalton and Jane Simpson

CAF Aurbase Georgia

AK2 - 1.5 Hours

Aberdeen Ballroom

Upcoming Events

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