Best Value Rates for the Local Government Reimagined Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (April 2-4, 2025) are ending Tuesday, February 18! Register today for a 20% discount to one of local government's most anticipated events. You won't want to miss the final LGRC of 2025, where this year's theme, “Leading & Managing and Livability & Resilience,” aims to facilitate breakthrough discussions and discoveries between local government leaders centered on equitable outcomes for their work and communities. Check out some of the sessions and roundtable discussions highlighted below:

Designing for Equity

Presented by Kim Desmond, this session will help leaders efficiently serve the best interests of all community members. Participants will learn practical skills to design equity into government programs, services, and infrastructure.

Kim Desmond joined ICMA in 2024 as chief equity officer, where she oversees ICMA's flagship DEI programs: the Leadership Institute on Race, Equity and Inclusion; the Equity Officer Cohort; and the annual Equity Summit. Desmond holds a master’s in community counseling from Fort Hays State University, a master’s in education administration and policy studies from the University of Denver, and an early childhood leadership certification from the University of Denver.

The AI Revolution in Government: Why Performance Management Practices Matters More than Ever

As governments navigate the rapid evolution of AI, performance management practices must remain a cornerstone of their approach. Without a strong foundation in data management, the risks of AI—including misinformation, bias, and ethical dilemmas—outweigh its benefits. Presented by Dr. Rudy de Leon Dinglas and Kel Wang, this presentation will explore how local governments can build resilient data ecosystems that maximize AI’s promise while ensuring responsible governance, equity, and long-term public impact. Upon completion, participants will understand the fundamental role of performance management practices, particularly data management strategies, in the use of artificial intelligence as a tool in public administration.

Dr. Rudy de Leon Dinglas is the chief of staff at the Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence (GovEx) at Johns Hopkins University. With over 17 years of experience in the public and private sectors, he bridges public management and academia, equipping government leaders with data-driven strategies to enhance governance and community outcomes. He also teaches public administration at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and the University of Virginia. His contributions have earned him an appointment to the Maryland Transportation Commission by Governor Wes Moore and the ASPA Center for Accountability & Performance Emerging Leader Award.

Kel Wang currently serves as the lead data and performance expert with the Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence (GovEx) at Johns Hopkins University. Outside GovEx, he teaches elected officials how to leverage public strategy and data to strengthen their governance capacity. He also spent over a decade with Edmonton in Canada where, under his leadership, Edmonton was recognized by the Certificate of Distinction Award in Performance Management by ICMA four years in a row (2016-2019). 

In addition to a plethora of educational activities, attendees will also have the opportunity to attend a Milwaukee Brewers vs Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field. All ICMA LGRC conference attendees as well as guests are invited to attend, learn more.