Legislative Conference Is a Key Event

By Kelli Gemmer, Florida League of Cities

Florida League of Cities (FLC) members are essential to the League’s legislative success, and Legislative Conference plays a key role in this process. FLC Legislative Conference provides the opportunity for city leaders to discuss and learn about important issues and finalize and adopt the legislative priorities.

The Conference is held annually in November or December. The FLC President presides over the conference and rallies the membership in support of the annual Legislative Platform. Throughout the conference, Florida’s city leaders share ideas and strategies on collaborating with state legislators and finding common ground. (See p. 50 for more on the finding #commongrounds initiative.) Attendees also learn how they can educate and engage their residents in support of local voices making local choices by becoming a Local Voices United (LVU) Ambassador. (See p. 14 for more on the LVU Ambassador program.)

The most recent Legislative Conference included a diverse panel of workshop sessions, topics and speakers focused on important issues such as addressing the housing crisis, grant readiness and success, amplifying your advocacy efforts and deconstructing the midterm election. Keynote Speaker Dr. Nathaniel Glover, Duval County’s first African American sheriff in Jacksonville, presented on leadership through challenging times.

The conference closed with the adoption of the 2023 Legislative Platform FLC President Jolien Caraballo thanked local elected officials for their time and for lending their voices in support of Florida’s 411 municipalities. “Your attendance at this conference speaks volumes about your commitment to your city and to the people you serve.”

Kelli Gemmer is the Assistant Editor for the Florida League of Cities.