Assistants' Exchange

Plan to Come Early and Join Us - Friday, September 23

The Conference Host Committee is offering an Assistants’ Exchange Program on Friday, September 23, prior to the ICMA Annual Conference.  This opportunity will involve spending the day as the guest of a participating local government in the greater Kansas City area. The exchange program is open to all assistants who are ICMA members.  Selections will be made on a first-come, first-served basis, but efforts will be made to accommodate as many participants as feasible.

Assistants’ Luncheon

Are You Ready For the Next Level? Is It OK To Stay?

Monday, September 26 ¦ 11:15 AM-12:30 PM

How do you know if you’re ready to move up to the city manager position?  What skills do you need to advance?  What are the unique challenges you may face on your journey? Should you consider staying in the ACM role?  Presented in a TED Talk” style with 3 panelists (2 ACMs & 1 CM),  speakers and audience members will have opportunity to share their own stories of career progress, challenges encountered and thoughts on navigating career moves. Know when to stay an assistant or to move up to the manager role, successful assistant/manager relationships, what CMs look for in an ACM, how to choose the right city, how-to co-manage council/manager relationships.

Moderator: Tony Winnery

Panelists: 

• Carol Jacobs, ACM of Newport Beach, CA
• Kimiko Gilmore, ACM of Kansas City, MO
• Eden Freeman, CM of Winchester, VA

Career Track
Educational Session

The Assistant's Dilemma-Stepping Stone or Career Path?

Monday, September 26 ¦ 12:45-2:00 PM

The advantages of serving as Assistant Manager have been touted in recent years. Not surprisingly, many professional have chosen to remain in these positions. This session will explore this trend, along with support systems required and impacts to the profession.

Assistant's Forum

Going from #2 to #1
What to Expect in Your Transition to “The Big Chair” That Nobody Told You About

Monday, September 26 ¦ 4:00-5:15 PM

Thinking about moving up to the Manager job? Hear from professionals that recently became managers (within the last year).  Come to hear about their transition, learn what problems/challenges they encountered and what pleasant surprises they found. Receive tips and advice on how to prepare and what to expect during your transition from #2 to #1.

What's new: Managers tell you what it is like to be a manager. If you have a mentor, they will even help you prepare for the position, but there are aspects of your transition from #2 to #1 that your Manager may not be able to prepare you for. You may likely be working for a different governing body, for a different form of government, for a different size city; your management style may be different, or you may come from a different generation than the current Manager.

Moderator: Cesar Correa

Panelists (table leaders): Marcia Hampton, Kris Simpson, Melissa Stevenson Diaz,  and Bonnie Svrcek

*Cash bar and complimentary appetizers*

Career Track
Educational Session

Going from #1 to #2

Tuesday, September 27 ¦ 2:00 – 3:10 PM

Many managers go from being the City Manager in a small town, to being the Assistant in a larger town.  This session explores that dynamic, what to consider if you’re considering the move and new expectations of the reduced role.

Moderator: David Gassaway, Assistant to the City Manager, City of Indian Wells, CA