Thousands of local leaders from across the country came to Washington, D.C. to advocate for key priorities facing cities, towns and villages at NLC’s 2026 Congressional City Conference (CCC). Attendees learned about federal funding programs, met with federal officials, and participated in meetings with Members of Congress to increase awareness about local government priorities.
Take a look at some of the highlights from this year’s conference:
1. Hill Day Advocacy
More than 1,100 local leaders participated in NLC’s annual Hill Day, which took mayors and councilmembers to meetings with their congressional representatives and staff. At Hill Day, participants took information about local projects that benefitted from federal funding and also advocated for legislation such as the BASICS Act and 21st Century Road to Housing Act which was introduced by Congress just before Congressional City Conference.
2. Call for Civility
As part of NLC’s commitment to strengthening public discourse and restoring trust in local governance, the NLC Board of Directors unanimously adopted a civility resolution. The resolution encourages local governments to promote dignity, respect and constructive dialogue in public meetings and community engagement.
“I am proud of the first step we took as leaders of the National League of Cities’ with our Board unanimously approving our Resolution to Lead with Civility, Dignity and Respect,” said NLC President, Councilmember Kevin Kramer, Louisville, KY.
“We’re encouraging cities, towns and villages across America to develop and pass their own civility resolution as we aim to reduce polarization and create an environment with our shared values of empathy and genuine dialogue.”
3. Celebration of America’s 250th Birthday
2026 is America’s semiquincentennial – a.k.a. its 250th birthday – and throughout the conference, leaders shared their excitement and strategies on engaging residents, how their communities are reflecting on the past and their vision for the future.
During our America 250: Celebrating Cities, Towns & Villages panel, Mayor Yemi Mobolade of Colorado Springs, Colo. described this as a “moment of promise” and a “moment of possibility.”
“We need hope,” said Mayor Mobolade. “We need a sense of civic pride…we must capitalize on this moment.”
Learn more about how NLC is supporting cities and towns planning for America’s 250th.
4. Engaging Speakers & Panels
Some of the conference’s powerful and inspiring speakers included U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Senator Rand Paul.
Panels included conversations on how to prepare for the 2030 Census, the necessary partnership between local and federal government leaders and strategies to fight for affordable housing.
And for the first time on one stage, NLC brought together leaders of major local and state organizations from the “Big 7” to discuss the issues facing communities nationwide and to highlight the power of federal, state and local collaboration to meet the moment.
5. Meetings of Councils & Constituency Groups
The conference was an excellent opportunity for NLC’s Federal Advocacy Committees, Member Councils and Constituency Groups to convene and discuss their strategies for the year ahead.
Many of the meetings featured special guests, such as Wendy Doyle, CEO and President of United WE, who spoke at the Women in Municipal Government (WIMG) event on the importance of representation and the power that comes from women in local government coming together.
There was also a fireside-styled conversation between Vincent Evans, executive director of the Congressional Black Caucus and Ayesha Rascoe, host of NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday. Evans and Rascoe conversed at the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO) meeting on advancing equitable policies that uplift Black communities, and how NBC-LEO leaders can turn those strategies into action at the local level.
Thank you to all who joined us for the conference! Registration is now open for City Summit 2026 in Nashville, Tenn. Nov. 19-21, 2026.
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