Fairfax County EDA Symposium Addresses Challenges, Opportunities Posed by America’s Aging Workforce

Registration open for Sept. 28 event that features presentations and panels of researchers and executives from major Fairfax County employers

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Registration is open for America’s Aging Workforce: A Fairfax County EDA Symposium being organized by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA). The half-day conference, which takes place Sept. 28 at Capital One headquarters in Tysons Corner, Va., covers challenges and opportunities that shifting demographics present for businesses in Fairfax County and the nation.

“We created this symposium to help businesses start to plan today for this older workforce of tomorrow, and we are delighted to make it open for all who are interested in this issue.”

“By 2018 almost one out of four workers will be 55 and older,” said Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., president and CEO of FCEDA, referencing research from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “We created this symposium to help businesses start to plan today for this older workforce of tomorrow, and we are delighted to make it open for all who are interested in this issue.”

The sessions are designed for corporate and human resources executives that are being challenged to transform their strategies, workforce management, marketing and product development to prepare for a rapidly aging population. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with distinguished speakers and insightful panelists, including:

John Berry, director, United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM), who will deliver a keynote address on managing workforce transformation. OPM oversees 2.7 million federal employees.

John W. Martin, president and CEO of the Southeastern Institute of Research, Inc. (SIR), co-founder and CEO of the Boomer Project and author of “Boomer Consumer,” who will present some of his latest insights on the aging workforce and meeting the needs of the Baby Boomer generation.

Executives from Fairfax County companies Capital One, Volkswagen Group of America and Balfour Beatty, who are managing an aging workforce, introducing younger workers to their workforce, and developing products and services for an older customer base.

Danny W. Felty, M.D., a physician from HCA Virginia Health System, who will describe the aging process and how it affects employee productivity.

Event partners are Capital One, the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce and the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia.

Click here for a September 13, 2012, release about a national survey commissioned by the FCEDA to discover generational attitudes about America’s aging workforce.

Time magazine called Fairfax County, just outside Washington, D.C., “one of the great economic success stories of our time.” Business growth helps Fairfax County fund high-quality public services that contribute to the quality of life of residents. Fairfax County offers businesses a state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure, access to global markets through Washington Dulles International Airport and a well-educated workforce.

The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority promotes Fairfax County as a business and technology center. In addition to its headquarters in Tysons Corner, Fairfax County’s largest business district, the FCEDA maintains marketing offices in six important global business centers: Bangalore, Munich, London, Los Angeles, Seoul and Tel Aviv.