< p>Apparently the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration didn’t get the memo that fancy government conferences are now passé, thanks to the uproar over the GSA’s extravagant 2010 event in Vegas.

NOAA is currently seeking a magician for its June 12 training conference, preferably one that will utilize “magic tricks, puzzles, brain teasers, word games, humor and team-building exercises.”

NOAA’s point person for the event, Patricia McBride-Finneran, was not concerned that the event would drum up bad press for the agency. “I’m sure it will be talked about, and this is a new topic,” she told Government Executive. “But this is a program in which we train potential managers—just a one-day conference, where we teach about different things that pertain to government, such as working with Congress.”

H/t: Government Executive