Are you ready to embark on a journey of profound transformation? Then look no further than the 2023 ICMA Europe Summit, held in tandem with Solace. The Solace Summit is the pinnacle of local authority events in the UK, and this year, it is providing two events in one. ICMA Europe will be providing programming on Thursday, October 19, and Friday, October 20, for attendees of the ICMA Europe Summit. All registrants of the ICMA Europe Summit are also welcome to attend Solace Summit programming beginning on Wednesday, October 18. Attendees can look forward to unique programming that sparks inspiration, innovation, and collaboration, set against the vibrant backdrop of Birmingham’s Hilton Metropole. 

ICMA and Solace 

ICMA maintains a network of like-minded organizations from around the world who are dedicated to promoting good governance. Since 1987, Solace, the professional association for current and future leaders and managers working at all levels in and around local government in the United Kingdom, has been part of ICMA’s network. ICMA Europe is looking forward to hosting its summit in collaboration with Solace and continuing to strengthen ties between the two organizations.  

Session Spotlight 

The joint Solace-ICMA Europe Keynote session at the ICMA Europe Summit will be a captivating International Leadership Session where attendees will have the unique opportunity to gain insights from extraordinary leaders hailing from various corners of the globe. Hear about the daily challenges they encounter and glean valuable lessons from their experiences. 

The session, moderated by Peter Agh, managing director, ICMA Europe, will provide a cross-cultural perspective on leadership from a distinguished panel of speakers, including Lon Pluckhahn, ICMA president and deputy city manager, Vancouver, Washington, USA, Simon Farbrother, local governance excellence director, AlUla County, Saudi Arabia, and Bogdan Kelichavyi, mayor, Kopychyntsi City Council, Ukraine, and vice president, Association of Amalgamated Communities. Together, this panel will foster an enriching dialogue on global leadership challenges and collaborative learning opportunities. 

Fostering Good Governance Around the World 

With ICMA’s continued commitment to promoting a culture of good governance around the world, a representative from the Centre of Expertise for Good Governance will join the ICMA Europe Summit to discuss their cooperation with Council of Europe European Label of Governance Excellence (ELoGE) Awards. ELoGE is awarded to municipalities that have achieved a high level of good governance, measured against a Council of Europe benchmark that is centered around the 12 Principles of Good Democratic Governance.  

Following the ELoGE session, the ICMA Europe Summit will host a dynamic roundtable discussion, including participant presentations, covering issues that their localities are experiencing, giving the time and space for participants to present and engage in these discussions with their fellow attendees.  

Solace Summit Programming 

Attendees of the ICMA Europe Summit are also welcome to attend Solace Summit programming, beginning Wednesday, October 18. The Solace Summit offers an array of sessions on engaging topics that encourage collaboration, questions, and knowledge sharing. Solace Summit programming will cover diverse themes, such as navigating challenging situations, developing and leading the next generation of local government leaders, scaling and pacing the deployment of EV charging, turning financial hardships into financial resilience, leading the future of local government with sustainability and people at the center, mitigating impacts of the rising cost of living at the local level, and spearheading change and transformation in local government.  

Study Tour of Birmingham  

The ICMA Europe Summit will conclude Friday, October 20, with a city council visit and study tour of Birmingham, led by Deborah Cadman, chief executive, Birmingham, UK, who will deliver in-depth insight on what is happening in the city. 

Explore the full program to learn more about each of these captivating sessions and register today to secure your spot! Questions? Contact Peter Agh, managing director, ICMA Europe, at pagh@icma.org or at +421-917-844787.