---
title: 'OpenGovWest 2011: Helping our municipalities be more open, transparent, and engaged'
date: '2011-05-10T10:02:48-07:00'
type: post
word_count: 402
char_count: 2749
tokens: 523
categories:
  - Events
  - Open
  - Oregon
  - Portland
tags:
  - government
  - Open
  - opengovwest
  - trasparent
---

# OpenGovWest 2011: Helping our municipalities be more open, transparent, and engaged

As you know, there’s been a big movement at the Federal level—and an equally large concern with funding those efforts—for opening up government data, making it more accessible to developers and everyday folks, as well.

But what about at a more local level? [Portland, Oregon, has been one of the leaders in opening up its data](http://siliconflorist.com/2009/09/30/portland-oregon-open-city-officially-embracing-open-data-open-source/ "Portland, Oregon, joins the ranks of the open cities, officially embracing open data and open source"). And organizations like [Code for America](http://codeforamerica.org "Code for America") are helping governments that are already ready already and raring to go open. But what about those folks who are still considering the ramifications? Enter [OpenGovWest](http://www.opengovwest.org "OpenGovWest").

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> OGW ’11 is broken into a long list of influential speakers and panelists discussing a myriad of open government issues on Day One, and an informal “unconference” on Day Two dedicated to networking and building relationships.

> Day Two also features a [Cross-Gov Apps Contest](http://www.opengovwest.org/events/conference/opengovwest-11/1304-2/ "Cross-Gov Apps Contest"), where developers have the opportunity to transform government data into useful information accessible to the masses—and to win prizes like iPads, marketing assistance, and technology prize packs. The competition will run in the style of a code-a-thon, in which development begins at 9 a.m. with a 7 p.m. deadline. Winners will be announced that evening.

And where better place to hold OpenGovWest than the Rose City? That’s right. No better place, my friend. So that’s why it will be here, this weekend, May 13 and 14.

What’s with the pouty face? Oh. No, silly goose. You haven’t missed your opportunity. So turn that frown upside down and [head on over to OpenGovWest to register](http://opengovwest.eventbrite.com/ "Register for OpenGovWest").

And if you’re a developer interested in participating in the coding and hacking and whatnot—including maybe winning one of the fabulous prizes—there’s still time to [sign up to do that too](http://www.opengovwest.org/events/conference/opengovwest-11/1304-2/cross-gov-apps-contest-rules/ "Developer sign up"). Price too steep? There are [developer scholarships](http://www.opengovwest.org/events/conference/opengovwest-11/1304-2/ "Developer scholarships").

Looking for more information? Visit [OpenGovWest](http://www.opengovwest.org "OpenGovWest"), like [OpenGovWest on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seattle-WA/Open-Gov-West/364870760796), or follow @opengovwest on Twitter.