I am pleased to be in Chicago for the 2015 IACP Annual Conference and Exposition. I would like to thank everyone who is traveling here to join us.

First-Timers. If this is your first time at an IACP conference, I encourage you to attend the First-Timers’ Orientation. This is a great session to help you get the most out of your conference experience.

General Sessions. Help kick off the conference at the Opening Ceremony on Saturday and hear from Chicago Superintendent Garry McCarthy and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. On Monday, the First General Assembly will feature the FBI Director James Comey and INTERPOL Executive Director Tim Morris. The Second General Assembly will be held Tuesday. The new format is a Critical Issues Forum, consisting of a facilitated discussion between law enforcement and community leaders.

Perspective Series. This year we are introducing the IACP Perspective Series, three cutting-edge, interactive sessions on global issues with significance in local communities. I encourage you to attend all three Perspective Series sessions which will take place on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.

Exposition Hall. The 2015 Exposition Hall is a must-visit. This year we have over 700 exhibitors, interactive zones, and cutting-edge education in the Innovation Theatre and Solutions Presentation Theatre. Be sure to check out the latest in technology and services in the Agency of Tomorrow Pavilion.

Education. The education line-up for IACP 2015 is absolutely phenomenal. There are 13 targeted educational tracks as well as some non-traditional educational opportunities. This year we are featuring to new tracks: Leadership Track and Companion Track.

For a few additional notes, check out the blog post on Ten Things to Know about IACP 2015. Also, be sure to follow @TheIACP on Twitter and download the conference mobile app to stay up to date and engaged with conference happenings.

We have a lot of great things planned for IACP 2015 and are excited to kick off this spectacular event!