2009 Congress of Cites and Exposition Program Offers Something for Everyone

The conference has many moving parts. While the entire conference spans five days from November 10-14 in San Antonio, the conference is essentially delivered in three segments: pre-conference events, the main conference and the NLC annual business meeting held on the final afternoon of the conference.  

What You Get With Your Congress of Cities Registration

The pre-conference training events held November 10 and 11, are distinguished by their focus on the professional development of the individual leader that strengthens his/her skills as an elected official or municipal staffer. To attend one of these Leadership Training Institute (LTI) seminars, attendees must both purchase a conference registration and pay an additional NLC fee. For full descriptions of LTI seminars visit the website.

Attendees who arrive on November 11 may also access — as part of their general conference fee — NLC’s governance meetings (NLC Board, Advisory Council and Policy Committee Meetings). Attending these day-long and half-day meetings allows participants to see the inner workings of NLC, which represents their interests.

The main conference, November 11 through November 14, is all about how to improve cities and towns. The information shared during the main conference is directed specifically at making city services, programs and economic development more effective, efficient and cost-effective.

During the heart of the conference, starting the evening of November 11 and running through Saturday, November 14, participants will attend both content-based and experiential learning opportunities. Through content-based learning opportunities including workshops, mobile workshops and general sessions as well as experiential learning opportunities including conversations with exhibitors and networking events, attendees will find short-cuts to the problem-solving process. Presenters will share information from federal agencies, provide real-world examples of successes and encourage peer-to-peer learning that helps cities build on another’s achievements.

At the conclusion of the conference, on the afternoon of Saturday, November 14, NLC member city delegates will discuss and vote on the business of the organization at the NLC Annual Business Meeting.

The conference closing special event, hosted by the City of San Antonio, will take place Saturday evening, November 14.

Learn About Conference Issue Areas

At the 2009 Congress of Cities and Exposition, attendees will find how they can navigate through the economic recovery, including hearing the latest information from federal agencies.

Conference planners also are creating mini-conferences based on certain themes within the larger conference. These focused content areas will provide in-depth information on key issue areas: public safety, economic development, public finance, infrastructure and sustainability.

Attendees can, as always, choose to attend workshops from any mini-conference area or can choose to concentrate their attention on the topic or topics that matter most to their city. Also, city staff members will find a cross-cutting selection of workshops that will emphasize the information needs of those who implement city programs and projects. This implementers’ set of workshops will include content related to each of the key issue areas.

By helping attendees better target their time, conference planners hope to foster the solution-gathering aspect of the conference.

Within the conference themes, attendees will find workshops, general sessions, mobile workshops and other programming that touches on topics such as:

•    Engaging Economic Recovery: Life after the Stimulus

•    Providing for Hometown Security

•    Emerging Issues and Trends

•    Governing Democratically and Building Civic Capacity

•    Growing Green Cities

•    Helping Children, Youth and Families Thrive

•    Strengthening Local Infrastructure

More detailed information on the program content for the main conference will be provided in August 2009. Program development occurs over the summer with workshops developed in June, July and August; workshop speakers are secured in September and October. Watch the website for updates on the program at www.nlccongressofcities.org.

Conference Program Offerings Covered by General Registration Fee

•    Mobile Workshops

•    Workshops

•    Four general sessions covering economic recovery, sustainability and leadership

•    City Showcase of innovative city practices and programs

•    Access to an exposition of more than 200 vendors

•    Exhibitor solutions presentations

•    Networking events in the exhibit hall

•    Closing event

•    Governance meetings

•    Community service project

•    Facilitated discussions

Additional Fees Provide Access to Enrichment Activities

•    Leadership Training Institute seminars

•    Constituency Group Events

By registering now for the NLC Congress of Cities and Exposition, attendees can save more than $100 off the advance rate and nearly $150 off the onsite rate. First-time attendees can take advantage of the $375 first-time attendee rate.

To register or to learn more about the conference, visit www.nlccongressofcities.org.