Wednesday, January 24

Pre-Conference Hike
8:30 a.m. | Lobby

Registration Opens
9 a.m. | Canyon Pre-function

Lunch on Your Own
11:30 a.m.

Building Your Organization’s Awareness: Autism Certification
1 – 2:15 p.m. | Canyon Ballroom

As community leaders, it is imperative for us to understand the unique challenges faced by individuals with autism and their families, and to work toward creating an inclusive environment that supports their needs. Join a panel of experts as they delve into their experiences utilizing the certification in autism and sensory needs to address these growing needs. Gain insights into success stories, lessons learned, and future aspirations for extending the certification’s influence across the state. With 1 in 6 people having a sensory need and 1 in 44 children diagnosed with autism, this is an opportunity to discover expert strategies to create a significant positive influence within your community.

Presider:
Mary Goodman, Assistant Town Manager, Gilbert

Speakers:
Lane Gram, Recreation Manager, Gilbert Parks & Recreation Department
Mark Justus, Fire Battalion Chief, Gilbert Fire & Rescue Department
Meredith Tekin, President, International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES);
Lt. Christopher Timmins, Employee Services Lieutenant, Gilbert Police Department
Samantha Mason, Sr., Recreation Coordinator, City of Tempe Parks & Recreation Department
Oscar Venegas, Recreation Supervisor, Mesa Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities Department

Sponsor Networking Break
2:15 – 3 p.m. | Canyon Pre-function

Create Inspiration and Engagement with Charisma: Communication Tactics All City Managers Should Master
3 – 4:30 p.m. | Canyon Ballroom

Discover the 12 charismatic communication tactics you can use to communicate a clear, visionary, and inspirational message that captivates and engages any audience. During the session, you’ll learn to identify the tactics, understand why they are so effective, and get a chance to start practicing them.

Presider:
Robert Aldous, Management Analyst, Casa Grande

Speaker:
Ulrich Jensen, Associate Professor, School of Public Affairs, Arizona State University

Harvard Reception
4:45 – 5:45 p.m. | Sycamore Room

Click here for the information flier.

ASU, NAU, U of A Faculty and Student Reception
4:45 – 5:45 p.m. | Juniper Room

Welcome Reception
5:45 – 7 p.m. | Oak Creek Canyon

Thursday, January 25

Continental Breakfast
7:30 a.m. | Canyon Pre-function

Corner Discussions
8:15 – 9:30 a.m.

Associate Member Corner
8:15 – 9:30 a.m. | Canyon Ballroom

Allows all associate members – from those serving in leadership roles as directors to those starting out in city, town and county management – to discuss issues related to their careers in public service or their position in an informal setting.

Presider:
Mike Letcher, ACMA Senior Advisor

Assistant/Deputy Managers Corner
8:15 – 9:30 a.m. | Dry Creek Canyon

Allows city, town and county assistant and deputy managers to discuss issues related to their position in an informal setting.

Presider:
Susan Thorpe, ACMA Senior Advisor

Managers Corner
8:15 – 9:30 a.m. | Oak Creek Canyon

Allows city, and county managers to discuss issues related to their position in an informal setting.

Presider:
Ian McGaughey, County Administrator, Yuma County

Corners Updates
9:30 – 9:50 a.m. | Canyon Ballroom

Workforce Planning: Building a Leadership Pipeline
10 – 10:50 a.m. | Canyon Ballroom

The results are in on the first-of-its-kind national research study that explored the unique leadership pipeline needs of local governments over the next few years — and the true challenges leaders are up against. Hear what your colleagues across the county have to say about ready-now leaders. As a leader in local government, you know first-hand the critical importance of having effective, diverse, ready-now leaders today — as well as securing the necessary funding to develop leaders for tomorrow. This study provides the first-of-its-kind groundbreaking data necessary to help local government leaders benchmark against the market as a whole, as well as formulate the business case for where best to invest your limited time and resources to achieve the greatest tangible results for your people, your organization, and your community. This session is ideal for senior local government leaders who value both actionable data as well as actionable strategies to help move the needle on leadership development and culture transformation in their organizations.

Presider:
Ginger Spencer, Deputy City Manager, Phoenix

Speaker:
Dr. Maria Church, CEO, Government Leadership Solutions

Moving into an Acting or First Time City/Town/County Manager Position: Things to Think About
11 a.m. – Noon | Canyon Ballroom

More retirements at the city/town/county manager level provide opportunities for others to move into them. Some of those are in acting city manager or county manager positions, and some are directly into the permanent ones. An acting position can be attractive, but there are questions to consider — moving into it should be done with eyes wide open. Preparing for the top job also takes thought and preparation — like any job. In this session, we will explore some key questions to consider when thinking about serving as an acting city or county manager and lessons learned from seasoned local government professionals as they became city/town/county managers. You will hear some tips for approaching the role, and you’ll learn some ways to enhance your success and minimize your risk in your new role.

Presider:
Jan Perkins, ASU School of Public Affairs 2024 Harrell–Hutchinson Visiting Urban Professional

Speakers:
Jeff Barton, City Manager, Phoenix
Susan Guthrie, Town Manager, Clarkdale
Leo Lew, County Manager, Pinal County

Lunch & Annual Business Meeting
12:15 – 1:30 p.m. | Tequa Ballroom

From Curiosity to Action: How to Implement Generative AI in Your Organization
1:30 – 3 p.m. | Canyon Ballroom

ChatGPT was not used to write this conference session description, but maybe it should have been. By now, we’re all aware of generative AI and our curiosity is piqued by its potential to be a force multiplier, creating efficiencies that we may not have prior realized. We’ve discussed some of the risks and ethical considerations at the summer conference. Now, what do we do? Join us for a session with municipal leaders versed in the space and creating the pathway for their own local governments. Plan on an interactive session and an opportunity to learn how these tools may be best deployed in your organization.

Presider:
Dr. Annette Padilla, Teacher, Mesa Public Schools and Consultant, Interim Public Management

Speakers:
Micah Gaudet, Deputy City Manager and Chief Public Safety Officer, Maricopa
Eugene Mejia, Chief AI Strategy and Transformation Officer, Gilbert

Senior Advisor Meetings
1:45 – 4:30 p.m. | Sycamore Room

Sponsor Networking Break
3 – 3:30 p.m. | Canyon Pre-function

Asking the Necessary Questions: How to Navigate Bond and Ballot Initiatives
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. | Canyon Ballroom

One of the most important considerations for local government leaders is not only how to maintain infrastructure and existing assets, but how to build the ecosystem your community depends upon. A necessary part of this equation is funding. At the intersection of market pressures, cost escalation and ever-increasing needs lie the decision many local governments are confronting: what to ask for and when. Join this panel of municipal and industry leaders as they unpack questions and strategies to explore. Whether you are currently considering a bond initiative, or are preparing to respond to a citizen-led initiative, this session will cover questions we all must contemplate as we work with our communities to shape the future.

Presider:
Mary Goodman, Assistant Town Manager, Gilbert

Speakers:
Joanne Keene, Deputy City Manager, Flagstaff
Andrew McGuire, Attorney, Gust Rosenfeld
Vicki Rios, Assistant City Manager, Glendale
Ryan Smith, Director of Communications and Government Relations, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority

ACMA Board Meeting
4:45 – 5:45 p.m. | Juniper Room

Reception
6 p.m. | Canyon Pre-function and Patio

Dinner & Awards Ceremony
7 p.m. | Canyon Ballroom

Presentations:
Economic Update Presentation