ARMA '98: records + KM

This year's gathering of the Association of Records Managers and Administrators (www.arma. org/hq) should be of particular interest to KMWorld readers. ARMA '98 (Houston, Oct. 4 to 7) openly and proudly proclaims the connection between records management and the role of knowledge workers. One of ARMA's standard projects has refocused to include knowledge management; also, ARMA's mission statement has been recast to reflect the need "to leverage the value of records, information and knowledge as corporate assets and as contributors to organizational success."

General highlights of this year's conference include five educational tracks with five program levels, a U.S. government day (Sunday), a Technology Resource lounge, participant-initiated discussions, networking sessions and a Sunday lunch sponsored by the Texaco Grand Prix, which runs the preceding weekend. A KM-specific educational session on Sunday looks at knowledge management in practice, how change can be managed for positive, and how to recognize and foster strategic alliances between information management professionals. On Tuesday, executives from Shell Oil, a favorite KM case study, discuss the major cultural changes undertaken by the multinational petroleum corporation. Other sessions address the value of intellectual assets, how records management is changing with the times, and the changing perception of what a record actually is. Apollo 13 flight director Gene Kranz shares the keynote spotlight with KMWorld Editor in Chief/Co-Publisher Andy Moore.

Nearly 160 exhibitors will ply their wares and educate attendees on the ARMA show floor.