The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Virginia Employment Commission convened a Data Users Conference on February 22, 2017 to discuss new data tools and employment concepts. The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond hosted the conference, and participants ranged from small social service providers to the Bank’s President, Jeffrey Lacker. On the importance of this conference, BLS Regional Commissioner Sheila Watkins said, “Having access to timely and objective data is more important than ever in understanding our changing economy and making informed business and policy decisions”. The post will discuss structural changes in the labor force and the changing nature of employment in the United States, as well as novel data concepts and tools to analyze and track these trends.