This hands-on workshop will be conducted in the following 2 parts:

Part 1 will provide an overview of the information presented in each Census Bureau economic program and will highlight key uses of each. The key terms and concepts that are used in these programs will also be covered to aid in the understanding of these data and economic data in general.  The overview will also provide an update on the 2012 Economic Census. This will include information on what's already been released, what's coming, and key changes for 2012 (and how they impact you). The 2012 Census of Governments will also be covered.

Part 2 will feature a hands-on, deep dive into the programs covered in Part 1, and will include data for the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. We will examine how the economy in these areas has changed over time, will highlight key growth sectors, and will discuss the share that each area makes of the greater Washington DC metro area.