by Cherie Duvall

Delegates from across the country are in for an action-packed meeting as NLC and host city Reno, Nev., kick off the Congress of Cities and Exposition this week.

NLC and ?The Biggest Little City in the World? are prepared to indulge delegates with new knowledge to take back to their communities, networking opportunities and entertainment through expert speakers, workshops and local musicians. Taking place Dec. 5-9, the conference will be held at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. More than 3,500 municipal officials and approximately 150 youth delegates are expected to attend.

Speakers
Addressing a hot topic in the U.S., Former Secretaries of Housing and Urban Development Henry Cisneros, former mayor of San Antonio and NLC past president, and Jack Kemp, founder and chairman of Kemp Partners, will discuss affordable housing at the conference?s opening general session, which will be held on Thursday from 8:45 a.m. to 11 a.m.

On Friday morning, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., NLC President James Hunt, councilmember, Clarksburg, W.Va., and Sally Helgesen, author of ?The Web of Inclusion,? will tackle NLC?s theme for the year ? building inclusive communities. Hunt?s determination has helped NLC build a Partnership for Working Toward Inclusive Communities during his year as NLC president.

Saturday holds two significant speaking engagements ? a general session and the closing session, which consists of the Delegates Luncheon. Speaking about a ??DREAM?? for Success, Kevin Carroll, founder of The Catalyst Consultancy and author of ?Rules of the Red Rubber Ball: Find and Sustain Your Life?s Work,? will speak at the morning session, held from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

At the Delegates Luncheon, New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin will discuss the exciting activities and highlights that will be in store for conference attendees at next year?s Congress of Cities in New Orleans. Nagin will also address the current conditions of his city, which was hard-hit by Hurricane Katrina last year.

Those attending the general sessions, which will all be held in Exhibit Hall 3, will also enjoy the musical soundings of a Reno-based brass quintet, jazz band, women?s choir and marching band.

New Workshop Format
The Congress of Cities workshops will be organized around six themed tracks: How to Create a Strong Local Infrastructure, How to Prepare for the Unexpected, How to Pay for Essential Services, How to Keep Your Economy Strong, How to Make Your City a Great Place to Live, and How to Engage and Communicate With Your Citizens and Community At-Large.

Each track will be led and moderated by an experienced facilitator. On Saturday morning, facilitators will lead a group discussion to summarize the outcomes of the workshop tracks.

Annual Business Meeting
Delegates from member cities will be able to participate in important organizational business during the Annual Business Meeting, which will take place on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. During the meeting, voting delegates will act on a series of policy recommendations to help shape next year?s federal advocacy agenda and elect the Officers and Board of Directors who will carry out that agenda.

For the first time, all city officials from member cities are invited and urged to join their designated voting representatives on the floor of the business meeting to participate in a special discussion on emerging issues and challenges. That discussion will feature the use of an automated audience response system, which provides instant feedback from the full group.

?We want to use the business meeting to get some general feedback on key local and national issues using this exciting technology,? said NLC President Hunt. ?We?ll also be able to get some instant demographic data to paint a picture of who we are collectively.?

Only designated voting delegates will be permitted to speak on policy issues that will be before the group or to vote on any issues.

Broader participation in the business meeting will also expand the audience that hears Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson?s acceptance speech after his election as the next NLC President.

Last year, many voting delegates who heard incoming President Hunt?s acceptance speech urged the staff to explore ways to broaden the audience for that important agenda-setting speech.

Welcome, New Members
New Members and First-Time Attendees Program events will include the New Members and First-Time Attendees Orientation session on Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. There will also be a Membership Fair, showcasing ways that members can be involved in NLC, at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.

A wrap-up session on Saturday will provide new members and first-time attendees with the opportunity to offer feedback to NLC on the conference. This will take place from 9:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

Habitat Build
City officials attending the conference will have the opportunity to participate in NLC?s second Habitat for Humanity build, which debuted at last year?s Congress of Cities in Charlotte, N.C. The build will take place in two shifts on Friday in Truckee Meadows, Nev., and the four houses built will be given to local families.

No building experience is needed to take part in the project. Delegates can sign up for a shift for the build at the Habitat for Humanity Build information counter in the convention center?s main lobby.

Awards
NLC President Hunt will receive a special award during the Congress of Cities ? the 2006 Municipal Leader of the Year award. Given this honor by Prism Business Media?s American City & County magazine, Hunt was selected for his efforts through NLC to build more inclusive communities throughout cities and towns across the country.

Other awards to be given out during the conference include the Awards for Municipal Excellence (formerly known as the James C. Howland Awards for Municipal Enrichment), which identifies and showcases outstanding programs that improve the quality of life in communities, and the WIMG Leadership Award, an award given by NLC?s  Women in Municipal Government constituency group to recognize female municipal officials for their unique and outstanding leadership in local government.

Details: For more information on the Congress of Cities, visit www.nlc.org. Online registration for the conference is closed, therefore all adjustments and additional registrations will need to be made onsite during the registration hours at the conference.