Jennifer Whiting is director of education and member services for the League and can be reached at jwhiting@cacities.org.

Join approximately 2,000 attendees from throughout the state as the League celebrates its 120th anniversary at its largest gathering of city officials: the 2018 League of California Cities Annual Conference & Expo at the Long Beach Convention Center, Sept. 12–14. Meet with elected officials and staff, and choose from more than 45 break-out sessions and CityTalks designed to educate and inform.

Wednesday, Sept. 12

Activities begin Wednesday morning with AB 1234 Ethics Training, a City Clerks’ Workshop and League policy committee meetings, followed by the business meetings for the League’s professional departments, which function as professional societies for city staff and elected officials. These department meetings present an excellent opportunity to discover how colleagues in similar jobs are benefiting from — and contributing to — education and policy development within the League.

If this is your first time attending the Annual Conference & Expo, join us from 12:45–1:15 p.m. for an orientation designed to help you navigate the numerous learning opportunities available. Attendees will hear tips from the League’s leaders about getting the most out of your conference experience.

The conference will officially kick off early Wednesday afternoon with the Opening General Session, where attendees will hear from a dynamic keynote speaker and the League will announce the winners of the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence. Following the opening session, attendees can choose from a variety of educational sessions before the evening’s festivities begin. The first night of the conference offers numerous chances to network at the grand opening of the Expo Hall and the Host City Reception, presented by the City of Long Beach. Activities will continue late into the night at the CitiPAC 13th Annual Leadership Reception, featuring music, food, beverages and games. 

Thursday, Sept. 13

A full day of educational and networking opportunities awaits attendees on Thursday. During the morning General Session, hear the latest on the November 2018 general election and candidates’ positions on issues of importance to cities. League leaders will also present the action strategies developed through the strategic planning process conducted during the past year. This process and future actions will set the League’s course to execute its mission more effectively and deliver even greater value to its members.

Thursday’s sessions examine topics such as affordable housing, homelessness, pensions, municipal finance and much more. Attendees also have the option of attending the City Attorneys’ Track, featuring sessions on the latest trends and issues affecting public law practitioners. In addition, the League’s diversity caucuses will conduct their annual business meetings on Thursday afternoon.

Find excitement, friends and food in the Expo, where lunch will be served on Thursday for all attendees. The Expo features over 250 companies showcasing a wide range of products and services designed to help communities by improving local services and the quality of life for residents.

Later in the evening, networking opportunities abound at various receptions hosted by the League’s diversity caucuses, League Partners and League divisions.

Friday, Sept. 14

The final day of the conference offers attendees a variety of professional development opportunities, with over a dozen break-out sessions before the Closing Luncheon and General Assembly.

During the Closing Luncheon, celebrate the future of the League as the 2018–19 board of directors is sworn into office. Policy development is a key part of the League’s legislative effectiveness, and the Annual Conference Resolutions process is one way that city officials can participate directly in the development of League policy. Resolutions can be submitted by any city official, individual city, division, department, policy committee or the board of directors and are due to the League office by midnight, July 14. Resolutions will be considered during policy committee meetings on Wednesday, the Resolutions Committee meeting on Thursday and the General Assembly on Friday.

Watch for updates on the sessions and speakers at www.cacities.org/AC. We look forward to seeing you in September!

Registration can be completed at www.cacities.org/events. Various registration options are available, and the Early Bird registration rate is available until July 18.