2024 Annual Convention

Registration Opens In...

March 27, 2024

Registration Planning Form Registration Webinar (Video)

Annual Convention Starts in...

June 21, 2024
Savannah, Ga.

GMA's Annual Convention features engaging sessions and unrivaled training for city officials and local leaders from across the state. It also includes a tradeshow featuring products and services that improve the operations of cities to enhance the lives of their citizens.

Online registration will close on Wednesday, June 12 at 5:00 p.m. Afterward, new registrations and changes must be made onsite.

Awards Luncheon Ceremony

The Awards Ceremony will be held on Monday as a luncheon. Awards and recognitions will include:

Municipal Government Hall of Fame
Georgia Cities Foundation’s Legacy Partner Award, Renaissance Award and Starr Award
Clerk of the Year Award
Cities and Organizations of Civility
New and Recertified Cities of Ethics
Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute Certificates

Speakers

Ben Nemtin

Keynote Speaker

Over a decade ago, Ben Nemtin and his three best friends created a list of their 100 wildest dreams and began checking them off one by one. For every dream they accomplished, they helped a stranger accomplish a dream too. Since then, they've crossed off "Write a #1 New York Times Bestseller," "Make a TV show (on MTV)," "Be interviewed by Oprah," helped reunite a father and son after 17 years, and surprised a young girl with a much-needed bionic arm. Ben's message of radical possibility has been featured on The Today Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, FOX, and NBC News. President Obama called Ben and The Buried Life "an inspiration for a new generation," and Oprah declared their mission "truly inspiring."

In this powerful keynote, Ben shares his system for achieving impossible goals and explains how the path to growth is the pursuit of purpose. Be prepared to take action toward your dreams and leave inspired to live your purpose.
Malcolm Mitchell

Monday Morning General Session Speaker

Malcolm Mitchell is a Super Bowl champion, author, speaker and the creator of a youth literacy initiative called “Read with Malcolm”. He is also the executive director of the Share the Magic Foundation, an organization he founded to transform lives through literacy. Through his efforts, he is inspiring change and igniting passion among children across Georgia and throughout the country.
Rodney Bullard, CEO, The Same House

Sunday Annual Business Meeting Speaker

The Same House is a community-driven movement that works to bring all people together to help bridge divides, practice compassion and collectively address communities’ greatest challenges and needs, particularly around economic opportunity and social connection. Prior to joining the organization in January 2023, Bullard served as the executive director of the Chick-fil-A Foundation.

Schedule of Events

Download the Schedule (PDF) Download the GMCA Schedule (PDF)

Thursday

June 20

3:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Badge Pick Up
- Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa
- Savannah Marriott Riverfront
- Hyatt Regency Savannah
- Savannah Convention Center

Friday

June 21

7:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Registration and Welcome Center
7:00 AM - 8:15 AM

Breakfast
8:15 AM - 3:15 PM

Municipal Training Institute Classes
- Building Community Capacity Through Tourism
- Conflict Resolution*
- Current Issues Class: Health In All Policies: Impactful Local Decision-Making to Ensure Healthier Communities
- Data Literacy and Storytelling for Cities
- Downtown Development Authority Basic Training (ends at 4:15 p.m.)
- Environmental Sustainability
- Making Cultural Diversity Work*
- Planning and Zoning*
- Public Problems, Democratic Solutions –The Governing Role of Mayors and Councilmembers*
- Regional Approaches to Cooperation
- Service Delivery Strategy—Efficiency & Tax Equity for Local Government
- Revitalizing Neighborhoods
- Water Management—An Introduction for Local Governments
8:15 AM - 3:15 PM

Clerks Training Courses
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Lunch (Trainings)
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Municipal Training Institute Classes
- Mobile Workshop: Port of Savannah
- Public Works Services*
- How to Attract Young Professionals to Your Town Hasco Craver
- Information Privacy and Security Breaches: Prevention and Response*
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

RMEBS Board of Trustees Meeting
3:45 PM - 5:00 PM

Mentor/Mentee Meet & Greet and Orientation
3:45 PM - 5:15 PM

Board of Directors Meeting

Saturday

June 22

7:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Registration and Welcome Center
7:00 AM - 8:15 AM

Breakfast
8:15 AM - 11:15 AM

Municipal Training Institute Classes
- Beyond the Beltway: Influencing Federal Policy Through Grassroots Engagement
- Building Bridges Between Cities and Colleges
- Changing Demographics and Best Practices
- Current Issues Class: Understanding, Funding and Fighting the New Face of Homelessness in Georgia
- Economics of Education
- Effective Practices for Municipal Operations
- Employee Benefits 101 (Retirement)
- Entrepreneur-Friendly Cities
- Excellence in Customer Service
- Funding and Programming Transportation Projects in Your Community
- Human Trafficking: Georgia’s Role and Response
- Local Government Debt Methods 101
- Municipal Annexation: Growing Pains and Growth Spurts
- Municipal Courts Post Ferguson I: Promoting Justice, Protecting City Assets*
- Municipal Taxation 101*
- Municipal Water and Wastewater Systems*
- Open Records*
- Risk and Insurance 101
- Practices for Successful Meetings*
- Public Policy Development and Implementation
- Recreation and Parks--Building Communities
- Strengthening the Well-being of Children and Youth
- Trends In Urban Design
8:15 AM - 3:15 PM

Clerks Training Course
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Exhibitor Set-up
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Lunch
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM

Policy Committee Meetings
1:15 PM - 2:30 PM

Policy Committee Meetings
2:45 PM - 4:00 PM

Policy Committee Meetings
3:55 PM - 4:00 PM

Municipal Marketplace Opening Ceremony
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Municipal Marketplace Opening and Reception

Sunday

June 23

7:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Registration and Welcome Center
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM

Worship Service
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM

RMEBS Membership Meeting
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Breakfast
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

City Attorneys Session Registration
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Opening General Session
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

City Attorneys Session and Brunch
10:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Municipal Marketplace (Lunch Included)
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Legislative Policy Council Meeting
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

City Managers Session and Lunch
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Federal Policy Council Meeting
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Municipal Training Board Meeting
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

Rapid Fire Sessions: Showcase of Successful Initiatives

Interested in learning about successful programs and projects that have been initiated in other cities across the state? If so, plan to attend one of the rapid fire sessions. Each session will provide attendees with an opportunity to hear fast-paced presentations, followed by a brief question and answer period.

Small City Rapid Fire
- City of Byron
- City of Camilla
- City of Nashville
- City of Oglethorpe
- City of Ringgold
- City of Springfield
Large City Rapid Fire
- City of Chamblee
- City of Duluth
- City of Lawrenceville
- City of Savannah
- City of Statesboro
- City of Warner Robins
3:15 PM - 3:30 PM

Voting Credential Pickup
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Business Meeting and Installation of Officers and Board of Directors
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Clerks Business Meeting

Monday

June 24

8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Registration and Welcome Center
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Breakfast
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Clerk Training Courses
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Registration and Welcome Center
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Clerk Training Courses
8:30 AM - 9:45 AM

General Session
- State Investments in Georgia’s Cities
  - Moderator: Jim Thornton, Director, Governmental Relations, GMA
  - Panelists: Brad Saxon, Deputy Commissioner, Georgia Department of Transportation; Hunter Hill, Executive Director, Georgia Environmental Finance Authority; Christopher Nunn, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Community Affairs
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Concurrent Sessions
- Building Safer Communities: Strategies for Effective Violence Prevention
- Community Building Partnerships: Harnessing the Power of Public Libraries
- New Legislation Impacting Service Delivery and Local Revenues
- Transforming Downtowns for Economic Growth
11:15 AM - 12:15 AM

Concurrent Sessions
- Addressing Real Estate Challenges and Housing Affordability via a Collaborative Approach
- Citizen Engagement Strategies for Vibrant Cities
- Cutting Through the AI Hype: How Cities Can Leverage AI for Real Impact
- New Legislation Impacting Service Delivery and Local Revenues
12:30 PM - 2:15 PM

Awards Luncheon
2:15 PM - 2:45 PM

Awards Luncheon Photos
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM

District Meetings

Each session will equip participants with knowledge and practical strategies to combat blight, address substandard housing and promote the redevelopment of affected areas using a variety of tools and mechanisms, including ordinances, code enforcement, land bank authorities and other partnerships. A panel of regional district experts will share their experiences and lessons learned and provide strategies and resources for cities to consider in their revitalization initiatives.
- Districts 1 & 2
- District 3
- Districts 4 & 8
- Districts 5 & 7
- Districts 6 & 9
- Districts 10, 11 & 12
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Closing Event

Tuesday

June 25

7:30 AM - 8:15 AM

Breakfast
8:15 AM - 11:15 AM

Municipal Training Institute Classes
- Capital Improvement Program
- Current Issues Class: Municipal Law Update 2024
- Let's Get Social
- Living Beyond Expectations: The Opportunities and Challenges of the Growing Senior Population
- Municipal Taxation 102 –The Basics Continued
- Open Meetings*
- Public Works Services*
- Roles and Responsibilities of Council and Staff*
- Strengthening the Well-being of Children and Youth
- Succession Planning: Planning for Tomorrow’s Workforce Today

* This class is on the "required" list for the Municipal Training Institute certification program.

Resources

Please reach out to your hotel for their credit card authorization form.

Municipal Marketplace

Join Us in Savannah

As an exhibitor, you will have access to over 1,500 mayors, city councilmembers, city managers, city clerks, finance officers and other key municipal officials with opportunities to showcase your products or services over a two-day period. This is the largest meeting of elected and appointed officials in the state. This is the largest meeting of elected and appointed officials in the state, so don’t miss this opportunity to provide your solutions to them.

Contact Us

For information about registration, sponsorship opportunities or other inquiries related to the Annual Convention not covered on this page, email registration@gacities.com.