Call for Session Proposals is Open

For the 2025 Annual Conference in Tampa/Hillsborough County, Florida, USA, we are soliciting innovative, future focused ideas for training workshops and educational sessions; leading ideas talks and roundtable discussions centered around innovations of today and future proofing for tomorrow.

Submission Deadline

The deadline to submit your proposal is Friday, November 22 at 11:59 PM ET.

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How it Works

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.

Questions?

Your question may be answered in the FAQ, if not, please contact Felicia Littky, senior program manager of conference education programming, at conferenceteam@icma.org.

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Overview

Are you passionate about local governance, leadership, and making a difference in your community? We invite you to be a part of the ICMA Annual Conference by sharing your expertise and insights as a presenter!

At ICMA, we are committed to advancing the field of local government management and leadership. As we prepare for the ICMA Annual Conference, all educational tracks and sessions will be carefully aligned with the 14 Practices for Effective Local Government Management and Leadership. This alignment ensures that our conference program directly addresses the key challenges and opportunities facing local government professionals today. The 14 Practices serve as a comprehensive framework for excellence in local government management. They are the result of extensive research, feedback from our Conference Planning Committee, and data analytics that help us identify the most critical areas of focus.

By aligning our conference tracks and sessions with these practices, we aim to provide local government professionals with relevant and actionable insights that will empower them to make a real difference in their communities. Whether they are seasoned professionals or just beginning their career in local government, they will find valuable sessions that speak directly to their needs and aspirations.

Why Should You Submit a Presentation Proposal?

Share Your Expertise

Showcase your knowledge, experiences, and success stories.

Impactful Networking

Connect with peers, mentors, and innovators in the field.

Influence Change

Shape the future of local governance and leadership.

Showcase Innovations

Highlight your community’s achievements and innovations.

Professional Growth

Enhance your own skills and leadership capabilities.

Topics We’re Interested In

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

Presentation Formats

Educational Session

Session Length: 60-minute, 45-minute presentation + 15-minute Q&A session

An educational session consists of a formal presentation made by an expert(s) on the subject. The presenter(s) does/do not have to be an acknowledged expert in the field, but should be well-versed on the topic through experience and/or research. Experienced CAOs or other practitioners are welcome to submit. Presentation presenters are encouraged to prepare a PowerPoint for their presentation, using the PowerPoint template which will be provided to them by ICMA upon acceptance.

Limited to FOUR (4) speakers per session

Intended Outcome: caring (about the topic), insights, awareness, understanding, comprehension, reflection, and/or knowledge.

Discussion

Session Length: 60-minute

A discussion is a group conversation between a small group of participants on a specific topic or issue. Discussion sessions typically include a 5- to 10-minute introduction by the organizer to introduce the topic, followed by discussion and feedback from participants. Discussions are meant to be interactive between the facilitator and attendees. As such, they take place in rooms set for up to 60 participants seated at roundtables. These sessions are NOT formal presentations and should be created to facilitate group conversations.

Limited to FOUR (4) discussion leaders/facilitators per session

Intended Outcome: targeted feedback, engaging discussions, and/or networking with similarly interested participants.

Skill-Building Workshop

Session Length: 120-minute

These workshops are intended to be skill-focused, active, and engaging. The content and outcomes of the session should be specifically focused on one or more of the ICMA Practices for Effective Local Government Management and Leadership.  Please note: The ICMA Professional Development Staff will provide skill-building workshop instructors with guidelines on how to develop their sessions, activities, PowerPoint slides, participant guides (strongly recommended), and post-session communications/activities. Skill-building workshops are meant to be interactive between the facilitator and attendees. As such, these take place in rooms set for up to 60 participants.

Limited to TWO (2) instructors per session.

Intended Outcome: Clear and specific performance-based outcomes and skills that participants can apply in a real-world context.

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 2025 ICMA Annual Conference. Please email Felicia Littky, manager of conference education programming, at conferenceteam@icma.org.

Read FAQs