We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this event, please contact registration@gacities.com as soon as possible. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.
The fee includes access to six policy committee meetings, the awards luncheon, information session, networking reception, the Capitol Connection Breakfast and Cities United Day at the Capitol.
You can print your badge at the Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park starting Thursday, January 23rd at 5pm to 7pm at the self-check-in stations located near the GMA registration area on Level M4, North Tower, or at any of the mobile registration rolling carts in the area.
If you lose your badge, you will be able to print another badge at the self-check-in stations located near the GMA Registration Desk at the Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park starting on Thursday, January 23rd from 5pm to 7pm.
If you are seeking guidance on earning certification through the Georgia Clerks Education Institute, please contact Christina Collins with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at christina.collins1@uga.edu.
Dress code for the majority of Cities United Summit is business casual. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes. For Monday’s breakfast and Capitol visit, most tend to dress in business attire for the visit to the Capitol.
First-Time Attendee
As a first-time attendee you are encouraged to attend the Orientation for First-Time Attendees on Sunday, January 26th at 8:00am. At this event, attendees will receive an overview of Cities United Summit and be paired up with experienced city officials who will offer suggestions on how to make the most of programming and networking opportunities.
Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute Classes
Training classes on Friday and Saturday require separate registration and are not included in the conference registration fee. Full Conference registration is not required to register for training classes.
* Training Course descriptions can be viewed on the Harold F. Holtz Training page.
Presentation slides and other class materials that the instructor is making available for training institute classes will be available on the GMA website on the Class Presentations page no later than one week in advance of the class. These materials will also be available on the GMA Mobile App. Generally, hard copies of class materials are not provided onsite. If your preference is to have a hard copy of the class materials for reference during your class, please make plans to print your materials and bring them with you.
If you would like guidance for earning training certificates through the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute, please contact Aileen Harris of the GMA staff.
If you are seeking guidance on earning certification through the Georgia Clerks Education Institute, please contact Christina Collins with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at christina.collins1@uga.edu.
If you're in need of accessing transcripts for yourself or for other city officials in your city (if you are the clerk or the authorized city employee), simply log into the GMA website. Once you've logged in, that link will change into a menu of links. If you've taken classes in the past, you can look up your own transcripts from the menu. If you're a city clerk or other authorized city employee, you may access transcripts of others for your city with the "View Other Transcripts" link in that same menu.
Participants must not record, live stream, or otherwise transmit video or sound from any training session without express written permission from the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government Public Service Training and Leadership Faculty and the GMA Deputy Director of Training. Participants acknowledge that any such materials, should such permission be granted, will be the exclusive intellectual property of the Carl Vinson Institute of Government or GMA, as appropriate. Any person who records, streams, or transmits material without obtaining such written permission shall be immediately asked to leave the training session and will forfeit any paid fee without obtaining training credits. The name, likeness, voice, and/or appearance of any participant or presenter will not and shall not be utilized by any party to create new works via artificial intelligence without express permission.
Once onsite, you may register for classes based on classroom space availability. To register on site or to inquire about class availability, please visit the registration desk at the Omni Atlanta at Centennial Park Hotel.
To receive training credit through the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute, a participant must attend the entire class. For six-hour classes, anyone arriving more than 30 minutes after the class begins, leaving class repeatedly, or leaving the class early will not receive credit. For three-hour classes, anyone arriving more than 15 minutes after the class begins, leaving class repeatedly or leaving class early will not receive credit. At the end of class, participants can complete the class completion form online (preferred) or on paper. Once an online class completion form is submitted, the participant will receive a QR code that must be presented and scanned by the instructor to officially mark attendance. Paper class completion forms must be signed by the participant and the instructor and provided to the instructor at the end of the class. Class instructors will not scan or sign class completion forms in the event the attendance criteria cited herein is not met by the participant. To receive credit, the registration fee must be paid in full.
To attend any Cities United Summit session or event, you will need to register for the Cities United Summit separately from your training classes.
The following meals and refreshment breaks will be provided.
Six-hour classes include breakfast, lunch and afternoon refreshment break.
Three-hour classes include the following:
- Friday morning classes: breakfast and lunch
- Friday afternoon classes: lunch and afternoon refreshment break
Lost and Found
Lost and Found will be at the GMA Registration area.
Mobile App
GMA’s mobile app is FREE and available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Search GACities and download the app for the up-to-the-minute schedule, session descriptions and all pertinent information while in Atlanta for Cities United Summit.
Monday Day Pass
The day pass includes the Capitol Connection Breakfast and Cities United Day at the Capitol. Transportation will be provided to and from the Capitol following breakfast. This option is not available to those taking training only or the awards luncheon only. You do not need to purchase the Monday Day Pass if you have a full conference registration.
Please sit with other members from your district at the Monday Capitol Connection Breakfast in the Grand Ballroom.
Transportation will be available on Monday morning, January 27th, to shuttle city officials between the Omni Atlanta at Centennial Park Hotel and Capitol from 9:00 am and 1:00 pm.
New Location
The Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park will serve as the conference hotel. It is located at 190 Marietta Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30303. The GMA room rate is $179 (other room types are available for additional costs). For reservations, please call 404-659-0000 and ask for the GMA rate of $179. To get the GMA rate, all reservations must be made by Monday, December 23rd. All meeting space will be in the North Tower. Please note that bathrooms are available on levels M2 and M4 of our meeting space. No bathrooms are on levels M1 or M3.
Onsite Photography
Please visit GMA’s Event Privacy & Security page at Legal Disclaimer for more information on how GMA uses the information and pictures taken at events.
Parking at Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park
Valet parking is the only option available for those parking at the Omni Atlanta Hotel. The GMA discounted rate is 42.00 per night for valet parking. You will be able to valet at either the South Tower or the North Tower.
QR Code on Badge
The QR code on your badge will be used for internal scanning to record attendance at GMA training classes and Cities United Summit sessions.
Registration
If you are registered for the Cities United Summit only and want to see if you can add classes, you can log back into your registration via your email confirmation and make modifications to add classes (if available). If you can’t find your email confirmation, you should be able to search via the subject line by typing in Registration Confirmed – 2025 Cities United Summit. Once you find that email you can click on the link to modify your registration.
Please note that each individual needs to be registered separately to ensure they are in the class.
GMA’s Business Alliance Program offers an array of ways for your organization to engage with the city officials of GMA’s member cities. Three levels of participation provide your business the opportunity to efficiently market to the largest municipal audience in Georgia. Click here to go to the sponsorship informational page on the Georgia Municipal Association’s website.
Spouse/Guest Registration
The fee includes access to the networking reception, awards luncheon, Capitol Connection Breakfast and Cities United Day at the Capitol.
Tax Exemption Process
To qualify for exemption for City Hotel/Motel excise tax (8%) at the Omni, attendees must present a completed Hotel-Motel Excise Tax form during check in.
To qualify for the state tax exemption (8.9%) at the Omni, attendees must follow the steps below
Payment via Company (City) Credit Card
If the attendee has a credit card in their name and the company (CITY) name, they may use it for payment. The following documents must be provided:
- A completed ST-5 Certificate of Exemption (ST-5 form).
- The company (CITY) credit card.
- A photocopy of the company credit card as backup documentation for the state.
Alternative Payment Options
- Check: A check issued from a bank account owned by the tax-exempt entity.
- Money Wire: A wire transfer directly from the tax-exempt entity’s bank account.
If the guest is paying by CITY credit card, they will not have with them during check-in:
- A credit card authorization form must be submitted at least 7 business days prior to arrival. See below for instructions on credit card authorization form submission
- A photocopy of the credit card must be presented at check-in to receive the 8.9% state tax exemption.
Presenting Required Documentation at Check-In
Attendees must provide:
- A properly executed ST-5 Certificate of Exemption. (ST-5 form)
- A properly executed Hotel-Motel Excise Tax
- Proof of direct payment (credit card or photocopy of credit card, check, or wire from the entity).
Important Note
Personal credit cards do not qualify for state tax exemption. The payment must be made directly by the tax-exempt entity using government funds or warrants from an appropriate account.
Following these steps ensures compliance with state tax exemption requirements and allows attendees to take advantage of the exemption at the Omni.
Credit Card Authorization Process–must be submitted at least 7 business days before check-in date.
This is for use if you will not have the credit card with you or it does not have the name of the hotel guest on the card.
Omni’s call center will assist with credit card authorizations. The phone number is 1-800-843-6664.
Or you can email onlinepayment@omnihotels.com. This is especially helpful if you have a lot of confirmation numbers. You can expect a response within 48 hours.
Waitlist Process
If a spot in a class becomes available and you are the first person on the waitlist, you will be sent an email notifying you that a seat is available and to reply within 24 hours to registration@gacities.com. Once confirmed, the registration team will make necessary adjustments, remove and refund any conflicting classes, and charge the card on file for the added class.
Waitlists become available after a class/session is at capacity. If there is no ability to join the class/session or a waitlist, then the class/session waitlist is also full. If you cannot register or add yourself to a waitlist, please continue to check the registration site for availability.
You can log back into the registration via email confirmation and make modifications to the registration type and/or to add classes (if available) or remove or add to waitlist. If you can’t find your email confirmation, you should be able to search via the subject line by typing in Registration Confirmed – 2025 Cities United Summit. Once you find that email you can click on the link to modify your registration. You should be able to add to a waitlist without having to pick another class at that same time.
Please note that each individual needs to be registered separately to ensure they are in the class.
Conference Highlights
Why Should I Attend?
Attending the Cities United Summit is the best way to gain an introductory understanding of GMA’s legislative advocacy process. During the Summit, you'll have the opportunity to participate in meetings hosted by GMA's six policy committees: Community Development, Environment and Natural Resources, Municipal Government, Public Safety, Revenue and Finance and Transportation. These meetings are open to all our members who are registered for the Summit. You’ll hear from a panel of legislators, state agency administrators and subject matter experts on the most pressing issues in each area. You will hear about GMA’s legislative priorities for 2025 and gain an understanding of why these issues are important and relevant to each of our cities.
What Will I Learn
Learn how GMA is talking about these issues and how you might advocate for your city. Policy committee meetings get you up to speed on GMA’s legislative priorities and help you feel confident going into these conversations prepared to advocate for your city. These meetings also provide an understanding of how the legislative process works by demystifying and simplifying it. You and your legislators represent the same constituents, making it essential to establish a productive working relationship that serves the best interests of our cities.
Why Should I Advocate?
Cities United Day at the Capitol provides the perfect opportunity for you to make an in-person connection with your legislator that is more meaningful than a text, phone call or email. It’s the beginning of a relationship that you can call on down the line. GMA Members are our force multiplier. When legislators witness the hundreds of mayors and city officials gathered in the Capitol, all wearing the matching Cities United scarf, it sends a powerful message that amplifies our influence throughout the legislative session. Your engagement in advocacy is crucial because you can articulate the specific impact of these issues on your city. You are the foremost expert on your community, and your insights and arguments carry significant weight when conveyed directly by you. This not only strengthens GMA's influence for the 2025 legislative session but also initiates your journey to becoming a more hands-on advocate for your city this year.
Cities United Summit Teamwork
Your GMA Governmental Relations team works in this context every day and knows these legislators. We can anticipate the potential local impacts of statewide legislation and work hard to advocate on your behalf. But you, the city official, are the expert on your city. You know your city’s strengths, challenges, needs and opportunities. You can get into the nitty gritty and describe in detail exactly how legislative decisions would affect your community. At Cities United Summit, we bring these two elements together and multiply the strength of GMA’s advocacy power to something far more impactful.