Approximately 3,500 members, partners, and exhibitors gathered in Boston, Massachusetts, for ICMA’s 99th Annual Conference, September 22-25, 2013. The recently renovated Hynes Convention Center offered attendees space to learn, connect, and reinvigorate.

More than 200 representatives from 20 countries were at the conference this year.

The conference theme of “Revolutionary Leadership” was reflected by a rich educational program designed by the 2013 conference planning committee under the leadership of ICMA member Bill Fraser, city manager of Montpelier, Vermont.

A new learning lounge was added this year where attendees participated in interactive discussions about topics of importance to their communities.

All conference educational session handouts and speaker presentations received by staff are posted on the ICMA Conference website.

In the exhibit hall, Solutions Track theaters featured sessions of service delivery, sustainability, and technology, among other topics of importance to local governments.

The 2013 Conference Host Committee, with chair Jim Malloy, town manager, Westborough Massachusetts, and Vice Chair John Petrin, town manager, Burlington, Massachusetts, planned a wide variety of social events, tours, and field demonstrations that showcased the region’s cultural heritage and attractions.

ICMAtv returned this year to cover the conference sessions and events with on-site interviews and video news stories. This year’s program included special segments highlighting the work and innovations of local governments across the country.

ICMA’s conference app kept attendees connected to news, schedules, attendee locators, handouts, session surveys, and social media.

SUNDAY OPENING GENERAL SESSION

Outgoing President Bonnie Svrcek, deputy city manager, Lynchburg, Virginia, presided over the Sunday opening general session. Highlights of the program included:

Svrcek acknowledged the generous support of ICMA-RC and Cigna in making this conference a success, and her recognition of the outstanding work of the conference host committee and the planning committee generated enthusiastic applause. Svrcek expressed her appreciation to the membership for their help in supporting her goals during her presidency and encouraged continued commitment to the Life, Well Run campaign.

SUNDAY: BODY LANGUAGE SHAPES WHO YOU ARE

With the theme of "Revolutionary Leadership," ICMA's 99th Annual Conference opening keynote address introduced the importance of body language as it relates to influence and leadership. Describing the local government management profession as one of the most stressful she has encountered, Harvard Business School professor and social psychologist Amy Cuddy focused her keynote on stress as an obstacle to achievement and the role of body language in mitigating stress and projecting confidence and trust.

Watch Amy Cuddy’s interview with ICMAtv.  

MONDAY: LEADERSHIP AND THE NEW PRINCIPLES OF INFLUENCE

“I want to talk about sales.” With this provocative introduction, acclaimed author Daniel Pink offered keynote attendees a different lens through which to view work. Local government professionals spend extensive amounts of time convincing, influencing, and persuading. Thus, managers are in sales. Whether the focus is internal or external, managers sell, but their currency is time, energy, commitment, and zeal. In fact, data show that 40 percent of non-sales people persuade, cajole, and convince as part of their job responsibilities.

Watch Daniel Pink’s interview with ICMAtv.   

Tuesday: Smart Communities and "Big Data"

“The key to smart cities is smart citizens.” This was the crux of Beth Simone Noveck’s keynote advocating for open data. When the “big data” collected by governments is opened up, she believes, it unlocks the potential for problem solving if combined with engagement by citizens.

Tapping into citizens to solve problems increases transparency, which reduces distrust. Public officials have a tremendous opportunity to use the expertise and creativity of citizens to address challenges. Government has the technology but is underutilizing its potential. 

Watch Beth Simone Noveck's interview with ICMAtv.

WEDNESDAY: CELEBRATION OF SERVICE

Outgoing President Bonnie Svrcek opened the closing session by expressing her gratitude to the ICMA Executive Board, staff, and membership, as well as strategic partners ICMA-RC and Cigna. ICMA Executive Director Bob O’Neill reflected on the significant legacies of former ICMA executive directors Mark Keane and Bill Hansell, who passed away after living lives dedicated to ICMA and the profession.

Attendees had the opportunity to celebrate ICMA members for their service to the profession, recognizing especially those who received 50, 45, 40, 35 and 30-year service awards. In addition, the celebration honored recipients of awards for individual and program excellence.

Incoming ICMA president Simon Farbrother, city manager, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, addressed the membership expressing his appreciation and commitment as ICMA’s president, sharing this thought about the work of local government professionals, “Our job, at the end of the day, is to inspire.” 

LIFE IS GOOD!

“Tell me something good that happened today.”  ICMA’s Celebration of Service keynote speaker John Jacobs, co-founder and chief creative optimist of the Life is good™ company, credits his mother with changing his outlook to one that sees that life is good.  What you focus on will grow, explained Jacobs. Focus on the good. He and his brother wanted to combine art and business. When you try, you either succeed or you learn. Both are good outcomes.

Watch John Jacob’s interview with ICMAtv.

Annual Business Meeting

Check out highlights of the annual meeting.

 

The virtual conference

For the sixth year in a row, ICMA also offered a virtual conference option. More than 90 registrants took advantage of the Virtual Conference, tuning in to the Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday keynote addresses plus 19 educational sessions live-streamed directly to their local governments.

The Virtual Conference archives (minus the keynote content) will be available for purchase at the ICMA website in mid-October.

 

Plan now to join us to celebrate ICMA’s 100th Anniversary in Charlotte/Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, September 14–17, 2014.