Please note that registration for this event is now closed.
Hello Rookies, Veterans and Members of our Hall of Fame…………….
The MCMA Conference Planning Committee has “knocked it out of the ballpark” with the spring line-up of speakers and activities for the annual City and County Managers Conference at our new venue, Grand View Lodge in Nisswa, Minnesota. Leading off on Wednesday evening is none other than St. Paul Saints owner Mike Veeck who is famous for his winning wit, team management strategies, organizational wisdom and belief that work can be fun.
"No Strike Zone: Insights from the Players’ Union” will open Thursday morning’s double header of panel discussions. No rookies here, folks; we have a team of veterans in the human resources dugout who will share with us their perspectives on the new generation of players on the local government roster and the critical issues we all face in managing our teams to successful seasons.
When an unexpected curve ball is thrown at a batter, training and skill take over, but what does the manager/administrator do when facing a community emergency? It can happen to any city or county, any time. The second half of the double header features a panel of local officials from Farmington, Rushford and Fillmore County who will share their experiences and lessons learned from last year’s floods in southeast Minnesota as well as a situation in which a city employee was killed in an accident while on the job.
Thursday afternoon offers plenty of options. Although Yogi Berra said, “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over,” it might not hurt to look ahead in the game of life by attending the session on preparing for retirement. And what’s a good game without the fans – our public? MCMA’s Committee on Citizen Engagement will host a session that will provide a sports bag full of tips to “keep your fans in the stands”. Plus, those taking advantage of the Seventh Inning Stretch will find a variety of relaxing activities available before the evening’s “All Star” gathering.
Then come prepared for a truly “world series” event on Thursday evening. After a reception and Awards dinner, Bob Sansavere, KQRS and Channel 5 broadcaster (and former Orono councilmember), will give us the play-by-play and clubhouse secrets to working with the media to promote our local government teams.
Friday’s session will be a home run with Mike Conduff, former City Manager in Kansas and Texas, who will share tips on working successfully with your local officials! A grand slam at last year’s ICMA Conference, Mike is both humorous and thought-provoking and promises to provide the perfect ending to a perfect game.
On behalf of all the members of the Conference Planning Committee, please don’t miss this year’s MCMA Conference. There’s a great experience waiting for everyone. The lodging is great whether you want a cabin for one or eight and the conference facilities are welcoming. We guarantee this will be a spring training you will value forever.
See you May 7 – May 9th at Grand View Lodge!
Samantha Orduno and Charles Grawe
Conference Planning Committee Co-Chairs
