2026 Call for Session Proposals
ICMA is holding a Call for Proposals for sessions to be held at the 2026 Local Government Reimagined Conferences (April 8-10; Orlando, FL/May 13-15, Philadelphia, PA) and the ICMA Annual Conference (October 17-21, Long Beach, CA).
Submissions may be considered for multiple conferences. The Call will close on November 7, 2025.
We invite you to share your expertise and insights as a presenter at our upcoming conferences. Your unique perspectives are crucial to advancing the field of local government management and leadership.
How It Works
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Submit your session proposals through the online portal. Submissions may be considered for multiple events.
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Our committee will evaluate each proposal and make selections based on topic, content, and alignment with the 14 Practices for Effective Local Government Management and Leadership. All those who submit proposals will be notified after the selection process.
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Deadline for submissions: November 7, 2025
Events and the Topics We’re Interested In
Local Government Reimagined Conferences
The Local Government Reimagined Conferences help public administrators innovate and adapt their leadership practices, management strategies, and operations in the name of more resilient and equitable outcomes for their work and their communities. There is not a separate topic area for session submissions. Rather, the theme of each conference is found below. If you are submitting a session for one of these conferences, be sure the focus within the topic area selected is on either AI (for Orlando) or Democracy and Public Trust (for Philadelphia).
AI in Local Government
April 8-10, 2026
Orlando, Florida
Rapid expansion of the AI frontier offers increasing opportunities for reimagining local government management and service delivery. This conference will spotlight the growing potential–and pitfalls to avoid–of leveraging AI to efficiently and effectively improve local government operations.
We seek content that provides attendees with practical guidance, exposure to new technologies, innovative use cases, and expanded perspective on the far-reaching implications of this top priority topic to help navigate a dynamic environment.
Democracy and the Public Trust
May 13-15, 2026
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2026 marks the 250th anniversary of American democracy, yet today’s public servants continue to face heightened polarization in their communities. This conference will celebrate the mission and work of ethical, professional local government management even in politically charged times.
We seek content highlighting leadership in championing civility, innovative engagement strategies, maintaining personal resilience, and strengthening democracy at the local level.
Submission Deadline: November 7.
112th ICMA Annual Conference | Long Beach, California
October 17-21, 2026
The ICMA Annual Conference brings together local government management professionals from around the world to discuss key issues, share new strategies, and discover solutions for the challenges they face. The conference features over a hundred educational sessions and is a primary opportunity for local government leaders to network, learn from peers, and acquire new tools and techniques to help their communities thrive. All sessions are aligned with the 14 Practices for Effective Local Government Management and Leadership to ensure the program is comprehensive and relevant. Submissions for this conference include the following topics:
Empowering Future Civic Leaders
Explore effective programs and initiatives designed to engage youth and cultivate the next generation of local government leaders in various cultural and political contexts.
Engaging and empowering the next generation of leaders is vital for the future of governance. This track seeks presentations on youth engagement initiatives, innovative civic education programs, and leadership development strategies. We welcome sessions that highlight successful programs involving young people in governance and preparing them for future civic leadership roles.
Practice Areas:
- [2] Community Engagement
- [6] Strategic Leadership
- [9] Community and Resident Service
Enhancing Community Engagement and Public Trust
Uncover innovative methods to strengthen citizen participation and build trust, and participation through innovative approaches to citizen engagement and transparent governance, considering varied democratic traditions and community structures internationally.
Building and maintaining public trust is critical to effective governance. This track welcomes presentations on innovative approaches to community participation, transparency initiatives, and collaborative governance models. We encourage sessions that showcase proven strategies for strengthening relationships between local governments and their communities, with an emphasis on approaches that can be adapted to different cultural and governmental contexts.
Practice Areas:
- [2] Community Engagement
- [9] Community and Resident Service
- [14] Communication and Information Sharing
Ethics and Governance in a Complex World
Strengthen governance and uphold ethical standards in an increasingly complex and globalized world.
As governance becomes increasingly complex, ethical leadership is more critical than ever. This track invites presentations on navigating ethical challenges, upholding democratic values, and strengthening public integrity across different governmental systems. We encourage sessions that explore how local governments can maintain high ethical standards and accountability in a rapidly changing world.
Practice Areas:
- [1] Personal and Professional Integrity
- [6] Strategic Leadership
Fiscal Innovation and Sustainable Economic Development
Explore the future of local finance and economic development with innovative strategies for growth and resilience, diverse economies and governance systems globally.
In an ever-changing economic landscape, local governments must employ innovative fiscal strategies. This track seeks presentations on financial sustainability, public-private partnerships, economic recovery initiatives, and novel approaches to revenue generation. We are particularly interested in creative solutions that drive economic development and resilience across diverse regional economies.
Practice Areas:
- [6] Strategic Leadership
- [7] Strategic Planning
- [10] Service Delivery
- [12] Financial Management and Budgeting
Future of Work in the Public Sector
Prepare for the evolving workforce by exploring trends in hybrid work, talent retention, and employee well-being.
As the nature of work continues to change, this track addresses key trends impacting public sector workforces. We invite presentations on effective hybrid work models, strategies for talent retention and development, succession planning and initiatives to support employee well-being. Sessions should explore how local governments can adapt to these changes and build a modern, skilled workforce prepared for future challenges.
Practice Areas:
- [3] Equity and Inclusion
- [4] Staff Effectiveness
- [13] Human Resources Management and Workforce Engagement
Mindfulness and Self-Transformation in Public Leadership
Discover practical approaches to enhancing leadership skills and maintaining well-being in public service roles, considering diverse cultural perspectives on leadership and work-life balance.
Effective leadership in public service begins with personal growth and well-being. This track invites presentations on leadership development, stress management techniques, and strategies for maintaining work-life balance in public service. Sessions should provide practical tools and insights for public leaders to enhance their effectiveness and resilience, applicable across different organizational cultures and contexts.
Practice Areas:
- [5] Personal Resiliency and Development
- [6] Strategic Leadership
Modernizing Public Infrastructure Through Technology
Modernize public infrastructure by integrating cutting-edge technology and innovative approaches to asset management. Explore how technology integration can transform public infrastructure to meet future community needs across different resource settings and urban-rural contexts.
The integration of technology into public infrastructure is essential for creating future-ready communities. We invite presentations on smart infrastructure initiatives, broadband expansion projects, and innovative approaches to asset management. Sessions should focus on how local governments can effectively plan, fund, and implement infrastructure projects that meet long-term community needs.
Practice Areas:
- [7] Strategic Planning
- [8] Policy Facilitation and Implementation
- [9] Community and Resident Service
- [10] Service Delivery
- [11] Technological Literacy
Submission Deadline: November 7.
Presentation Formats
Educational Session
Session Length: 60-minutes, 45-minute presentation + 15-minute Q&A session
This session type consists of a formal presentation by one or more individuals well-versed on the subject through experience and/or research. Experienced CAOs or other practitioners are welcome to submit proposals.
Presenters are encouraged to prepare a PowerPoint presentation using the template that will be provided by ICMA upon acceptance. Sessions may be presented by a single speaker or a panel of up to four (4) presenters.
Limited to FOUR (4) speakers per session.
Intended Outcome: Interest in the topic, insights, awareness, understanding, reflection, and/or knowledge
Discussion
Session Length: 60-minutes
A Discussion is a group conversation among a small group of participants on a specific topic or issue. Sessions typically begin with a 5- to 10-minute introduction by the organizer to introduce the topic, followed by participant discussion and feedback.
Discussions are designed to be interactive between the facilitator and attendees. They are not formal presentations and should be structured to encourage group participation. These sessions are held in rooms set for up to 60 participants seated at round tables.
Limited to FOUR (4) discussion leaders/facilitators per session
Intended Outcome: Targeted feedback, engaging conversations, and/or networking with participants who share similar interests
Skill-Building Workshop
Session Length: 120-minutes
These workshops are intended to be skill-focused, active, and engaging. The content should directly support one or more of the ICMA Practices for Effective Local Government Management and Leadership.
ICMA’s Professional Development staff will provide instructors with guidelines for developing their workshop, including flow, activities, PowerPoint slides, participant guides (strongly recommended), and suggestions for post-session follow-up.
Skill-Building Workshops must be interactive, encouraging active participation from attendees. These sessions are held in rooms set for up to 60 participants.
Limited to TWO (2) instructors per session.
Intended Outcome: Clear, performance-based skills that participants can apply in real-world settings
Quick Bite
Session Length: 30-minutes
Bring a concise, impactful idea or program from your community to share in an engaging 30-minute session. This format is designed for active participation, often breaking the information into short bursts with interaction in between. Presenters are encouraged to go beyond a traditional lecture by incorporating polling, audience Q&A, or small-group discussions.
What Is Reasonable in 30 Minutes
A 30-minute session can support microlearning or situational learning goals that focus on:
• Awareness: Introduce a new idea, approach, or tool
Example: “Explain how our city used behavioral nudges to reduce late utility payments.”
• Inspiration: Spark curiosity and interest in a new practice
Example: “Describe a creative strategy for engaging residents in zoning updates.”
• Application-lite: Offer a short opportunity to reflect or connect to participants’ context
Example: “Identify one element of this program that you could test in your community.”
• Exchange: Encourage peer learning or feedback in small-group formats
Example: “Discuss with a partner how this strategy could work (or not) in your own city.”
What May Not Fit Well in 30 Minutes
• Deep skills practice or group decision-making
• Multi-step processes with reflection and feedback loops
• Complex simulations or stakeholder role plays
• Detailed walkthroughs of lengthy policies or plans”
Limited to TWO (2) instructors per session.
Intended Outcome: share and gain expertise, walk away with fresh ideas, interactive.
PechaKucha
Session Length: 6-minutes/40-seconds
This high-energy storytelling format uses 20 slides that auto-advance every 20 seconds, keeping presentations sharp and visually engaging. Ideal for sharing compelling ideas, personal narratives, or lessons learned. These presentations are highly scripted and rehearsed, and are followed by a brief audience interaction (e.g., Q&A or reflection), helping participants process and apply what they’ve heard. Session Length: 6 minutes, 40 seconds (plus up to 5 minutes for Q&A or interaction)”
Here are some PechaKucha topic examples:
• A personal story of civic innovation (“What I Learned from My First Year on Council”)
• A visual journey of a community transformation (“From Parking Lot to Pollinator Garden”)
• A case of creative public engagement or rapid problem-solving (“The Day the Lights Went Out”)
Limited to ONE (1) instructor per session.
Intended Outcome: audience engagement, focused central point conveyed
Sponsorship Opportunities
Several sponsorships opportunities are available. Prospective sponsors should contact Megan Sherman, Senior Manager, Corporate Partnerships at msherman@icma.org
Have Questions?
If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help you make a lasting impact at the 2026 ICMA Annual Conference and/or Local Government Reimagined Conferences. Please email Felicia Littky, senior program manager of conference education programming, at conferenceteam@icma.org.
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