2023 Annual Convention Soaring to New Heights

THE GEORGIA MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION IS celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. And what better way to celebrate than at the GMA 2023 Annual Convention? This year promises to offer exciting and uplifting experiences during five days where city officials throughout Georgia come together to unite, grow, learn and network in historic Savannah.

ANNUAL CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS:

Keynote Speaker

General (Ret.) Mark A. Welsh III is this year’s Opening Session Keynote Speaker.

Described by many as one of the most inspiring speakers they’ve ever heard, General Welsh will bring a message that challenges and encourages city officials to reflect on the noble calling of public service and the unlimited potential they have to transform communities and lives through visionary and courageous leadership.

General Welsh was born in San Antonio, earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy and a Master of Science degree in computer resource management from Webster University, and graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College, the Air War College and the National War College. Welsh became the 20th Chief of Staff of the Air Force in August 2012, serving as the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipping of 664,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he and other service chiefs functioned as military advisers to the Secretary of Defense, National Security Council and President. He became Dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service on August 15, 2016, after retiring from the U.S. Air Force.

Policy Committee Meetings

GMA’s Policy Committees will begin meeting on Saturday, June 24 at 11:30 a.m. and occur throughout the day. These committees will discuss legislative and policy issues of interest to cities. The membership will use the meetings to review and adopt the proposed 2024 policy recommendations suggested by city officials during the GMA spring district meetings and endorsed by the Legislative Policy Council. These meetings are open to everyone to attend and we encourage your participation.

Municipal Marketplace

We are excited to announce that the GMA Exhibit Hall is now known as the Municipal Marketplace. The Municipal Marketplace provides a great opportunity for a wide range of vendors to showcase their municipal products and services available to your city. Take advantage of this face-to-face opportunity to view the latest technology, equipment and services available in 2023.

Awards Luncheon Ceremony

The Awards Luncheon ceremony will be held on Monday, June 26 and will include: the announcement of this year’s Municipal Government Hall of Fame inductees, the presentation of the Georgia Cities Foundation’s Renaissance and Starr awards, recognition of the Clerk of the Year, Cities of Civility and new and recertified Cities of Ethics, and the presentation of the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute certificates. This is a ticketed event. If you did not pre-purchase a ticket for this event, you may purchase one at the registration desk before 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 24.

2023 Annual Business Meeting

The 2023 Annual Business Meeting of the Georgia Municipal Association will be held on Sunday, June 25 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Chatham

Ballroom of the Savannah Convention Center. Agenda items will include the adoption of GMA’s 2024 Legislative Policies, consideration of proposed GMA Bylaws Amendments and the election of the Association’s 2023-2024 Officers and Board of Directors. In addition, CEO and Executive Director Larry Hanson will give a State of GMA report.

Monday General Session

The Monday morning general session will feature an inspirational address by former NASA astronaut Joan Higginbotham; an update from GMA’s non-profit, Georgia City Solutions, including recognition of participants in the Mayors Reading Club and graduates of the inaugural Municipal Leader DE&I certificate program; and a panel discussion focused on housing. The panel will include state leaders and city officials to discuss the need for more housing options across Georgia and the ways cities can partner with the state and private developers to incentivize affordable and workforce housing in their communities.

Monday Concurrent Sessions

This year’s concurrent sessions will provide information on key issues facing Georgia’s cities. Hear from experts on workforce housing and development, creating and sustaining a city culture of belonging, addressing dangerous dwellings, the importance of civility, nurturing Georgia’s future leaders, grant management, LOST/SDS, emergency medical services and building the arts, culture and tourism economy in your city.

The concurrent sessions will be held in three timeslots on Monday, June 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; 11:15 am to 12:15 pm; and 2:45 pm to 3:45 pm.

All of the convention program information will be included on the GMA mobile app, which will be available prior to the start of the convention.