A personal health issue that surfaced while I was in Dublin, Ireland, gave me an unexpected opportunity to reflect on community through my experience with care in a public hospital outside the United States.

The waiting room was small and crowded. I arrived at noon and did not see a doctor until 5 p.m., and then again not until midnight. People from all walks of life filled the space—young and old, housed and unhoused, some speaking different languages, all waiting together. The staff provided care with empathy, compassion, and skill, despite the constant demand. Around 11 p.m., a volunteer group arrived with food and drinks for those in need. Later, from my exam room with half walls, I could hear a doctor and nurse gently working with a young man who had attempted suicide for the third time, taking the time to help him get the support he needed.

That experience stayed with me. My own issue was disruptive, but short-lived. What remained with me was a deeper reminder of the daily struggles so many people carry, the fragility of life and sometimes of the human spirit, and the quiet strength of those who care for others—whether by profession or by choice. All of that is part of community.

I share this with you because it has shaped how I have thought about my service to our members over the past several months.

Big 7 Convening 

Julia, Tanya, Andy, and I had the privilege of attending a convening of the Big 7 in Oklahoma City. The Big 7 is made up of the following organizations: the Council of State Governments, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Governors Association, the National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties (NACO), the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and of course, ICMA. We understand it was the first time in more than a dozen years that the CEOs and association officers had gathered in person. There was a great deal of energy in the room about what this group could do together in the future.

The discussion focused on federalism—why it matters, how it was designed to work, and how it is being applied today. We made clear that local government leaders are essential to that conversation because we are the implementers on the ground, serving as the bridge between federal and state policy and the communities we serve. One important outcome of the meeting was a commitment to convene a national dialogue on federalism in early 2027.

State meetings in Florida and South Carolina; Local Government Regional Conference in Orlando

While in Florida, I heard about a city manager whose community had been devastated by a hurricane. He had reached a point of complete physical and mental exhaustion. One day, after pulling into the parking lot at City Hall, he froze—unable to move, unable to think, even needing to remind himself to breathe. He sat in his car for hours, asking himself why he kept doing this work. Eventually, he returned to his commitment to serving others. That sense of purpose helped him regain his footing, step out of the car, and walk into City Hall ready to lead. Sometimes the human spirit is fragile, but so is its remarkable capacity for resilience.

Later, back in Florida for the Local Government Regional Conference in Orlando, I listened to presentations on the many ways AI might help our teams do their work more effectively. There were encouraging examples, thoughtful caution, and honest discussion about risk. Two points stood out to me. First, some cities are willing to partner with AI companies and test pilot programs, while others are taking a more cautious approach as they consider what comes next. Second, clean data and data protection are essential. Across sessions, many participants acknowledged that generative AI is already being used in their organizations, whether or not policies are in place, and there was real concern about what that might mean for organizational exposure.

As an association our “year” seems to revolve around the annual conference—board members come “on” the board and go “off” the board at this annual gathering in community with our members. Because of that, conferences are certainly top of mind. Tampa was amazing last year, and there is a lot of excitement for Long Beach. Our conference registration opening day numbers were record breaking! Driven by the incredible excitement of having Simon Sinek as our Opening General Session keynote, we have already hit 2,324 registrations—a 25% increase from the Tampa “first day” record of 1,865! We hope you will be right there with us to experience the incredible energy building for Long Beach. Whether you are bringing your team to utilize our group discounts or joining us for the first time, make sure to secure your spot today.

As I close, I want to thank the members who approach me at state association meetings and other ICMA gatherings to share feedback, ask questions, and talk candidly about ICMA issues and personal matters connected to our profession. Your feedback is invaluable. I share it with the ICMA team because it helps us stay connected to what is happening in your states and across our membership.

I am often asked about my travel schedule. Being just 20 minutes from my front door to a gate at DFW makes travel relatively easy for me. By the time we gather in Long Beach this October, I will have visited 17 states and multiple countries since October 2024. Working with Tanya and Andy has also made it possible for us to maintain a presidential presence at 19 additional state conferences, along with visits to our colleagues at NFBPA, SOLACE, and CAMA. Our executive director has attended another 11 states during her tenure. All of this reflects our commitment to staying meaningfully connected to our members—as Tanya says, #MembersMatter!

While Tanya, Andy, Julia, and I do what we can, we know that real connection is built through our regional directors and your colleagues, the regional vice presidents who attend your state association meetings regularly as part of their duties. Connecting and building a sense of community within the broader ICMA community doesn’t happen without those closest to you doing this work.

Thank you for welcoming us and for giving us the opportunity to hear firsthand about the issues you are navigating and how ICMA can best support you. It has been an honor to meet so many of you along the way. Each visit reminds me of your servant heart and of the sacrifices you and your families make as you fulfill your purpose.

For that, and for the opportunity to serve in this role, I am deeply grateful.

With respect and appreciation,

Mike Land, City Manager, Coppell, Texas
ICMA President