Why Attend?
Join us for Empower 2025, OnePlan’s premier annual conference where you can enhance your skills, earn valuable certifications, and gain insights from industry thought leaders and success stories. With three specialized tracks and incredible networking opportunities, Empower 2025 is designed to elevate your capabilities and deepen your connections within the OnePlan community.
Conference Tracks
Mastering the System: Admin Certification
Master OnePlan’s system, boost efficiency, and earn PMI PDU points as a certified OnePlan Admin
Empower Your Workflow: User Training Certification
Enhance team productivity and project workflows with essential skills for Plan Managers and Team Members. Earn PMI PDU points toward certification.
Inspire & Impact: Thought Leadership and Success Stories
Gain insights from industry leaders and customer success stories for inspiration and practical applications.
Keynote Speakers
Matt Burton
Pouneh Minovi Kaufman
Parmjit Kaur, PMP, CSM
View Full Agenda!
day 1
Monday, January 27
PART 1
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Welcome Reception
Reception
Primrose
Description
Kick off Empower 2025 in style at an exclusive welcome reception in the vibrant Primrose at Park MGM! This unique venue offers a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfect for connecting with fellow OnePlan customers, team members, and industry thought leaders. Indulge in an array of delicious food and refreshing beverages crafted by Park MGM’s renowned chefs, as you explore the elegant indoor and outdoor spaces of Primrose.
Live music will set the tone, creating a lively backdrop for mingling and networking. Whether you’re reconnecting with familiar faces or meeting new ones, this evening promises to be the perfect start to an inspiring and insightful conference. Join us for an unforgettable night of good food, great conversation, and the perfect Las Vegas ambiance to kick off Empower 2025!
day 2
Tuesday, January 28
PART 1
8:00 am – 9:00 am
Breakfast / Registration
Presidio Lounge
Description
The Presidio ballroom next to the keynote area will host all breakfast and lunch activities.
PART 2
9:00 am – 10:50 am
Main Keynote
Keynote
Presidio Keynote
Description
This keynote will provide a comprehensive look at the future of Strategic Portfolio Management (SPM), focusing on the transformative role of emerging technologies. OnePlan’s leadership will highlight disruptive trends and present a strategic roadmap to help organizations navigate market volatility and rapid tech advancements, with a particular emphasis on integrating AI and automation effectively. Real-world examples will showcase the tangible impact of these innovations, while a preview of OnePlan’s product roadmap will reveal new tools aimed at smarter workflows, strategic alignment, and enhanced decision-making. Attendees will leave equipped to transform SPM practices, keeping their organizations agile, competitive, and aligned with future-focused solutions.
Speakers
- Matt Burton, InfoTech Research Group, Principal Advisory and Research Director, PPM Practice
- Joe Larscheid, OnePlan, CEO
- Jim Patterson, OnePlan, VP Sales & Business Development
- Matthew Willey, OnePlan, VP, Product Management
Subsessions
The Future of SPM: Navigating Disruption and Harnessing Emerging Technologies
January 28, 2025
9:00 AM – 9:50 AM
OnePlan’s SPM Vision and Product Roadmap
January 28, 2025
10:00 AM – 10:50 AM
PART 3
11:00 am – 11:45 am
Mastering the Fundamentals: OnePlan Administration Essentials
MASTERING THE SYSTEM: ADMIN CERTIFICATION
Description
Dive into a thorough exploration of OnePlan administration essentials, tailored to equip both new and seasoned administrators with the critical skills for initial setup and effective fine-tuning. This session aims to empower you with the confidence and expertise to customize and manage your OnePlan system, ensuring robust project management foundations for your organization.
Key Takeaways
- Thorough introduction to OnePlan and its Administrator Track.
- Live demonstrations of Admin Page Navigation and Set Up Wizard Walkthrough.
- Key strategies for Resource Management, Advanced Settings, and automation of Scheduled Functions.
- Best practices for managing Global System Notifications.
PART 4
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Discover OnePlan
Empower Your Workflow: User Training Certification
Description
Begin your journey with a comprehensive overview of OnePlan’s environment. Master the foundational aspects of navigation to effectively utilize the platform’s home page and main menu functionalities.
Key Takeaways
- Welcome, Introduction to OnePlan, Boot Camp Overview, and Navigating the basic features of OnePlan.
- Content Focus: OnePlan Home Page, General Navigation Basics, Main Menu Navigation.
- Q&A session, Session Recap discuss how to apply learnings.
PART 5
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
AI in Portfolio Management: From Predictive Analytics to Intelligent Decision-Making
Inspire & Impact: Thought Leadership and Success Stories
Description
This session delves into how AI, specifically OnePlan’s Sofia GPT, is transforming portfolio management by providing predictive analytics, risk insights, and resource optimization. Attendees will learn how to leverage AI to drive more data-driven decision-making, improve resource allocation, and predict project success.
Key Takeaways
- Practical AI use cases within SPM and OnePlan.
- How to interpret AI-driven insights to make proactive decisions.
- Future trends in AI and what they mean for portfolio management leaders.
PART 6
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Lunch
Presidio Lounge
PART 7
1:00 pm – 1:45 pm
OnePlan Administration: Optimizing Portfolio Management with Strategic Configurations
Mastering the System: Admin Certification
Description
Elevate your role as a OnePlan Administrator by learning strategic configuration and customization techniques within the OnePlan environment. This session is for OnePlan Administrators seeking to configure OnePlan to simplify – and standardize – administrative processes and reporting, align more closely with their business objectives, and achieve marked improvements in operational efficiency by navigating the intricacies of project portfolio management with greater ease and effectiveness.
Key Takeaways
- Implement Plan Types and Hierarchies to align project portfolio management with corporate strategies.
- Understand and leverage the functionalities of Plans and Areas to optimize project organization.
- Enhance operational efficiency by configuring Plan Details Forms.
- Fine-tune project portfolio configurations including financial adjustments, Gantt charts, date settings, and notification preferences.
PART 8
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
Exploring OnePlan Portfolios: A Strategic Overview
Empower Your Workflow: User Training Certification
Description
Delve into the intricacies of OnePlan Strategic Portfolio Management. Gain insights into essential terminology, navigation tips, and the strategic significance of using “My Strategy” features.
Key Takeaways
- Detailed look into OnePlan Portfolios, including terminology and navigation tips.
- Content Focus: Understanding OnePlan Portfolios, Portfolio Navigation Basics, Introduction to “My Strategy” and using OnePlan to create and manage your Objectives & Key Results (OKRs.)
- Q&A session, Session Recap discuss how to apply learnings.
PART 9
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
Aligning Strategy with Execution: Building a Value-Driven SPM Framework
Inspire & Impact: Thought Leadership and Success Stories
Description
Explore the challenges and best practices for aligning strategic goals with execution. This session will guide attendees on creating a value-driven SPM framework that ensures project and portfolio activities directly support the organization’s strategic objectives.
Key Takeaways
- How to define and measure portfolio value.
- Techniques for maintaining alignment between executive vision and on-the-ground execution.
- Leveraging tools like OnePlan to ensure continuous alignment and track strategic value over time.
PART 10
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
Optimizing OnePlan for Your Organization: OnePlan Field Customization and Adaptation
Mastering the System: Admin Certification
Description
Learn to tailor Plan, Work, and Resource fields to your organization’s needs through detailed demonstrations. Explore various field types and gain the skills to create and modify OnePlan fields, aligning them with your business objectives.
Key Takeaways
- Tailor Plan, Work, and Resource fields to meet your organization’s specific needs.
- Explore various field types, including standard and advanced calculated fields, through detailed demonstrations.
- Gain practical knowledge to create and modify OnePlan fields.
- Align your planning tools with your business objectives.
PART 11
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
From Strategy to Execution: Transforming Ideas into Action with OnePlan
Empower Your Workflow: User Training Certification
Description
Improve your strategic planning by turning theoretical concepts into actionable plans. Discover how to create, track, and implement strategic objectives and ideas within OnePlan
Key Takeaways
- Deeper dive into the ‘My Ideas’ portfolio.
- Content Focus: Creating and tracking strategic objectives, creating and converting ideas into plans.
- Q&A session, Session Recap discuss how to apply learnings.
PART 12
2:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Zero-Based Portfolio Prioritization: Realigning Investments with Shifting Strategies
Inspire & Impact: Thought Leadership and Success Stories
Description
As organizational strategies evolve, portfolio priorities must adapt. This session covers the principles and steps behind zero-based portfolio prioritization, helping attendees rethink and reprioritize their portfolios from a strategic perspective.
Key Takeaways
- Steps to implement zero-based prioritization within OnePlan.
- Balancing resource capacity with strategic priorities.
- Real-world examples of organizations successfully realigning portfolios to meet evolving goals.
PART 13
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Mastering the Work Plan Module: Strategies and Settings for Optimal Task Management
Mastering the System: Admin Certification
Description
In this session, you’ll explore the essentials of Work Plan Settings, including configuring Work Types and Forms, managing baselines and task notifications, and optimizing Kanban settings and task management. Additionally, we’ll cover personalizing My Work Plan Settings and verifying/modifying status fields.
Key Takeaways
- Configure Work Plan Settings and Work Types.
- Manage Baselines and Task Notifications.
- Optimize Kanban Settings and Task Management.
- Personalize My Work Plan Settings and verify/modify status fields.
PART 14
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Advancing Project Outcomes: In-Depth Portfolio Utilization
Empower Your Workflow: User Training Certification
Description
Take a deeper look into maximizing your portfolio’s potential. Explore advanced features to better capture project details, financials, schedules, and resource planning within My Portfolio.
Key Takeaways
- In-depth look at using My Portfolio’s features and functionalities to maximize project outcomes.
- Q&A session, Session Recap discuss how to apply learnings.
- Content Focus: Deep dive into Plan Details, capturing Project, Financial, Schedule & Resource Planning.
PART 15
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
The Future of Work Management: Integrating SPM with Collaborative Tools for Hybrid Teams
Inspire & Impact: Thought Leadership and Success Stories
Description
In today’s hybrid work environment, effective collaboration across diverse teams is crucial. This session explores how OnePlan integrates with tools like Microsoft Project, Asana, and Jira to create a seamless work management environment, balancing high-level strategy with day-to-day execution across hybrid teams.
Key Takeaways
- Best practices for integrating work management and SPM tools.
- Managing different workflows across teams and departments.
- How hybrid work environments can enhance (or hinder) portfolio success, and solutions to common challenges.
PART 16
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Innovation Night at The Sphere
Reception
Description
Kick off the event with an unforgettable VIP experience at the Sphere in Las Vegas! Enjoy a private reception featuring gourmet food and beverages, explore interactive experiences like cutting-edge holographic art installations, a one-on-one chat with Aura the Robot™, and a HOLOPLOT sound demonstration that will immerse you in 22nd-century technology.
Then settle into premier seating in the exclusive Director’s Lens area for the best view of Darren Aronofsky’s visionary “Postcard from Earth.” This rare opportunity showcases the power of innovation and technology to enhance our human potential—an experience you won’t want to miss!
day 3
Wednesday, January 29
PART 1
8:00 am – 9:00 am
Breakfast & Registration
PART 2
9:00 am – 10:50 am
Keynote
Presidio Keynote
Description
Empower 2025’s keynote session will bring together three dynamic leaders to share their insights on driving customer success and transforming project and portfolio management in the digital age.
Pouneh Minovi Kaufman, a renowned Senior Product and Program Management Executive with a career devoted to driving digital transformation at industry leaders like Microsoft and Warner Brothers. Known for pioneering advancements in AI, Mixed Reality, and Cloud technologies, she played a key role in deploying Microsoft Teams globally at Microsoft, leading one of the company’s most impactful initiatives. At Empower 2025, Pouneh will explore how intelligent systems can reshape project and portfolio management, driving efficiency, decision-making, and organizational success in the digital age.
Parmjit Kaur, PMP, CSM, president of her local PMI chapter and an expert in project management and process improvement, will deliver an inspiring talk on resilience and adaptability. Parmjit will share how she applied project management principles to overcome personal challenges, demonstrating the power of professional methodologies in tackling life’s most difficult projects. Her insights on resilience, integrity, and continuous improvement will inspire attendees to expand the boundaries of their skills in new and innovative ways.
Michael Stelmakh, OnePlan’s VP of Customer Success, will highlight practical strategies for driving customer success in today’s fast-paced business environment. With over 20 years of experience in strategic portfolio management, Michael will share proven approaches to aligning customer needs with business goals and enhancing customer satisfaction through OnePlan’s tools and solutions.
This keynote will provide actionable strategies for elevating project and portfolio management, fostering resilience, and building customer-first strategies that support long-term success in the evolving landscape of SPM.
Speakers
- Pouneh Minovi Kaufman, Microsoft, Senior Product and Program Management Executive
- Parmjit Kaur, PMP, CSM, PMI-SNC, President
- Michael Stelmakh, OnePlan, VP Customer Success
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Advanced Resource Management: Allocation, Costing and Time Tracking Efficiency
Mastering the System: Admin Certification
Description
In this session, you’ll learn how to configure and manage the resource pool, custom roles, and skills to optimize resource allocation and availability, including capacity planning and forecasting. Additionally, we’ll cover resource cost management, timesheet configuration, task management, and reporting to enhance overall operational efficiency.
Key Takeaways
- Configure resource pool, roles, skills, and manage resource allocation and availability, including capacity planning and forecasting.
- Manage resource cost rates, understand standard, overtime, and per-use costs.
- Set up and manage timesheets, time off plans, and workflow approvals.
- Configure task management, reporting, and establish time off categories.
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Building Effective Work Plans: Mastering Schedules
Empower Your Workflow: User Training Certification
Description
Continue refining your scheduling skills by delving into advanced scheduling best practices and effective resource allocation. Focus on creating the detailed work breakdown structures (WBS).
Key Takeaways
- Introduction to the Work Plan, General Navigation and Overview on how to create different types of schedules.
- Master advanced scheduling strategies, including task dependencies, constraints, baselines, and various work types.
- Q&A session, Session Recap discuss how to apply learnings.
- Content Focus: Creating work plan schedules, advanced scheduling techniques, optimizing schedules, identifying constraints, baselines, creating various work types, assigning resources.
PART 5
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Customer Case Study: A Roadmap for Successful SPM Adoption
Inspire & Impact: Thought Leadership and Success Stories
Description
Implementing an SPM solution is more than just deploying new software—it involves changing processes, aligning teams, and gaining executive buy-in. This session provides a structured roadmap for managing change at every level of the organization.
Key Takeaways
- Key stages in the change management journey specific to SPM implementation.
- Techniques for securing executive sponsorship and stakeholder alignment.
- Best practices for managing resistance and ensuring long-term adoption.
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Customer Case Study: A Roadmap for Successful SPM Adoption
Inspire & Impact: Thought Leadership and Success Stories
Description
Implementing an SPM solution is more than just deploying new software—it involves changing processes, aligning teams, and gaining executive buy-in. This session provides a structured roadmap for managing change at every level of the organization.
Key Takeaways
- Key stages in the change management journey specific to SPM implementation.
- Techniques for securing executive sponsorship and stakeholder alignment.
- Best practices for managing resistance and ensuring long-term adoption.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Lunch
Presidio Lounge
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
Optimizing User Access: Comprehensive User and Security Management in OnePlan
Mastering the System: Admin Certification
Description
In this session, you’ll learn to manage user accounts and permissions, set up user roles, and understand enterprise security groups and authentication. We’ll also cover importing and exporting users, along with plan type security.
Key Takeaways
- Manage user accounts and permissions, including setting up roles and assignments.
- Understand enterprise security groups, authentication, and permissions.
- Import, synchronize, and export AD group users.
- Implement plan type security.
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
Mastering Resource Optimization with OnePlan and the Global Resource Planner
Empower Your Workflow: User Training Certification
Description
Learn to optimize resource allocation and management in your organization with OnePlan’s powerful features and the Global Resource Planner.
Key Takeaways
- Understand how to use OnePlan for your organization’s Resource Allocation & Management.
- How to use the Global Resource Planner’s features.
- Q&A session, Session Recap discuss how to apply learnings.
- Content Focus: Resource management, using the Global Resource Planner for organizational resource planning.
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
Empowering Your Team: Training and Enablement Strategies for Effective SPM Adoption
Inspire & Impact: Thought Leadership and Success Stories
Description
One of the most challenging aspects of change management is training teams to adopt new tools and methodologies. This session explores effective training approaches that engage users at all levels and foster confidence in the SPM system.
Key Takeaways
- Techniques for creating a phased training plan that builds team competence over time.
- Ideas for incentivizing learning and skill-building.
- Using OnePlan’s onboarding and support features to streamline the training process.
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
Optimizing Project Performance: Effective Tracking, Reporting and Communication
Empower Your Workflow: User Training Certification
Description
Increase your project’s success by learning to track performance and communicate updates efficiently. Utilize reports and visualizers for comprehensive status visualization and stakeholder communication.
Key Takeaways
- Monitoring project performance and communicating updates using OnePlan.
- Q&A session, Session Recap discuss how to apply learnings.
- Content Focus: Tracking project performance, updating status, utilizing reports and visualizers for status visualization.
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
Customer Case Study: Elevating Portfolio & Program Management Excellence with OnePlan
Inspire & Impact: Thought Leadership and Success Stories
Description
Discover how customer leverages OnePlan to enhance portfolio and program management, driving excellence and innovation in the biomedicine field. This session will explore strategies and tools that streamline complex project oversight, align strategic goals, and support dynamic decision-making, empowering the customer to accelerate breakthroughs and achieve organizational success.
Key Takeaways
- Learn how the customer streamlines complex project oversight with OnePlan.
- Explore strategies for aligning strategic goals within biomedicine, ensuring impactful and cohesive program management.
- Gain insights into dynamic decision-making tools that drive innovation and success.
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
Financial Framework Mastery for Administrators: Configuring Budgets and Financial Settings in OnePlan
Mastering the System: Admin Certification
Description
In this session, you’ll learn to set up financial structures and preferences, including configuring financial periods, fiscal years, currency preferences, and exchange rates. We’ll also cover defining cost categories, budgeting, financial forecasting, and managing project budgets.
Key Takeaways
- Set up financial structures and configure periods, fiscal years, and currency preferences.
- Define cost categories, cost types, and manage exchange rates.
- Implement budgeting and financial forecasting.
- Create and manage project budgets effectively.
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Strategic Portfolio Modeling: Shaping Future Success with OnePlan
Empower Your Workflow: User Training Certification
Description
Develop the skill of creating actionable, future-focused portfolio scenarios. Use the Portfolio Modeler to strategically align your projects with your organization’s goals and objectives.
Key Takeaways
- Using the Portfolio Modeler in OnePlan.
- Q&A session, Session Recap discuss how to apply learnings.
- Content Focus: Deep dive into the Portfolio Modeler
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Mastering Reporting and Dashboards: Advanced Configuration and Management for Administrators
Mastering the System: Admin Certification
Description
In this session, you’ll learn how to schedule, configure, and modify standard status reports and dashboards, along with understanding format rules and insights. We’ll also cover the essential aspects of backup and restore processes.
Key Takeaways
- Schedule, configure, and modify standard status reports and dashboards.
- Apply format rules and gain insights.
- Implement backup and restore processes.
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Customer Appreciation Reception
Reception
Description
Start your evening with us at a lively happy hour on the beautiful Park Terrace at Park MGM! Enjoy refreshing drinks, delicious bites, and great company as you unwind before the night’s main event. It’s the perfect setting to mingle with fellow attendees and swap insights. After happy hour, we’ll head over together to experience the high-energy Mad Apple show by Cirque du Soleil. Raise a glass, relax, and get ready for an unforgettable evening!
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Cirque du Soleil’s Mad Apple
Reception
New York, New York
Description
Get ready for an unforgettable night of Vegas magic! Join us for Mad Apple, the thrilling Cirque du Soleil show where jaw-dropping acrobatics, comedy, and live music bring the energy of New York to the Vegas Strip. Hosted by one of OnePlan’s valued customers, this exclusive event is the perfect chance to unwind, connect with fellow attendees, and experience the wild creativity and entertainment that Las Vegas is famous for. Don’t miss out on a night that’s sure to be the highlight of your trip!
Special Evening Events
Innovation Night at The Sphere
Kick off the first evening with an exclusive show at The Sphere in Las Vegas, focused on the theme of innovation—sure to spark new ideas and inspiration.
Cirque du Soleil’s Mad Apple
Experience the magic of Las Vegas with a thrilling Cirque du Soleil performance, Mad Apple, where creativity and entertainment come to life. Join fellow attendees for an unforgettable night hosted by one of OnePlan’s valued customers.
Catch Up On What You Missed Last Year!
Watch our highlight video from last year’s conference to get a glimpse of the inspiring sessions, impactful connections, and unforgettable experiences at Empower. Don’t miss the chance to be part of something even bigger this year!
Whether you’re an Administrator, Plan Manager, or Team Member, gain the skills you need to succeed while earning credits towards your PMI certification renewal.
Empower 2025 Frequently Asked Questions
Event Details
When and where is Empower 2025 taking place?
What is the purpose of attending Empower 2025?
What are the different tracks available at Empower 2025?
There are three specialized tracks:
- Admin Certification Track: “Mastering the System: Admin Certification”
- User Training Certification Track: “Empower Your Workflow: User Training Certification”
- Thought Leadership & Customer Stories Track: “Inspire & Impact: Thought Leadership and Success Stories”
Can I earn professional development units (PDUs) by attending?
Who should attend the Admin Certification Track?
Who is the User Training Certification Track for?
What can I expect from the Thought Leadership & Customer Stories Track?
Are there networking opportunities at Empower 2025?
What evening events are planned?
- January 28: Innovation Night at The Sphere
- January 29: Cirque du Soleil’s Mad Apple performance
Is the full conference agenda available?
How can I register for Empower 2025?
Is there a way to see highlights from last year's conference?
Do I need to book my own accommodation?
OnePlan has negotiated a group rate at the Park MGM Hotel in Las Vegas. Our conference sessions will take place at this hotel, and we suggest you book it for your stay. Please use this website to book rooms at the Park MGM under the negotiated group rate.
The Park MGM has a mobile app that will allow you to access mobile check-in and a digital key card. For more information, please visit: https://www.mgmresorts.com/en/app.html
Alternatively, there are several other hotels in the immediate area in case you’d like to explore different options.
Remember to check the official Empower 2025 website or contact the event organizers for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding the conference.