Joining a professional association—especially one with more than a century of history—can be intimidating. “When I first joined ICMA, I was very introverted and honestly avoided attending the Annual Conference. The thought of walking into a room full of people I didn’t know was intimidating,” said Melissa Marsh, city manager of Madison Heights, Michigan, and an ICMA welcome ambassador. “Early in my career, I received a scholarship to attend, and I’m so glad I said yes.”

Friendly Faces

Now in its fifteenth year, ICMA’s Welcome Ambassadors Committee offers personal, peer-to-peer outreach for current members and those who have recently joined the association. The committee’s 22 members reach out each month, giving new members a contact who can answer questions, make introductions, and help them navigate ICMA.

At the 2026 ICMA Annual Conference in Long Beach, California, attendees can find a friendly face at the committee’s welcome table on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Ambassadors will also attend the First-Time Attendee Reception at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, helping new members find connections before the opening general session. Learn more.

“My first conference was about five months into the role of CAO. Seeing that I was not alone, that others were also new, and that there was a world of support for me meant a great deal,” said Billy Peppers, city manager of Canton, Georgia, and committee chair. “Knowing my colleagues from my state were involved and saw benefit encouraged me to get engaged.”

Peppers—and every other ambassador—personally welcomes more than 100 new ICMA members each year.

Welcome as an Action

Committee members see their role as more than sending an introductory message. “Welcome is not a word; it’s an action. A true welcome extends far beyond a spoken greeting or a polite gesture at a doorway,” said David Miller, city administrator of Springtown, Texas. “Welcome means making ourselves available…creating a safe environment where people feel genuinely valued, understood, and seen.”

Listening is central to that work. So is helping newcomers find knowledge and relationships that can sustain a career in local government. William Webb, assistant county administrator for Isle of Wight County, Virginia, encourages new members to “be a sponge” and learn as much as they can. He advises them to find a local mentor or neighboring manager who can serve as a sounding board. Dave Slezickey, chief executive officer of The Village, Oklahoma, offers similar advice: Because no two days on the job are alike, networking and peer relationships are essential.

Small Gestures, Lasting Connections

Several ambassadors still remember the people who made them feel that they belonged. “I received a handwritten note from senior advisor Mark Wollenweber,” said Oliver Turner, township administrator for Sylvania Township, Ohio. “I kept the note for a long time, and it helped me feel welcome to the profession.”

Eric Anthony Devezin, founding president of California Baptist University’s ICMA Student Chapter, remembers receiving a standardized email when he joined in 2024. Now a welcome ambassador, he appreciates how the committee’s outreach has grown. “Seeing how much our ambassador outreach has evolved into something genuinely warm, dynamic, and community-centric makes me incredibly proud to help lead that growth today.”

The methods have evolved, but the purpose has remained constant: Make sure every new member finds not only information, but also a person who is ready to listen, connect, and welcome them into the profession.

Welcome Stories

Taylor Lough, Assistant Town Administrator, Highland Park, Texas

Early in my career, colleagues encouraged me to get involved and give back to the profession. Their advice has stayed with me: you don’t have to change jobs to grow—learn from others, bring new ideas home, and make a greater impact in your own community. For the past decade, I’ve served as a welcome ambassador because our profession’s greatest strength is one another. My advice to new and longtime members is simple: Reach out. Introduce yourself. Ask questions. Share your experiences. One conversation may influence someone else’s career—or your own.
 

Lindsay Radcliff-Coombes, Deputy Town Manager, Severance, Colorado

ICMA members are incredibly approachable. I have learned that a simple introduction or email can lead to valuable mentorships, friendships, and professional opportunities. In the Mountain Plains region especially, we value collaboration over competition, and I hope every new member feels that generosity and support. When I welcome someone, I ask about their community, what brought them to local government, and what they hope to gain from ICMA. If someone in my network has similar interests or experience, I make an introduction. My goal is not just to welcome someone to the organization; it’s to help them feel they have joined a community.
 

Kristin Read, Assistant Town Manager, Castle Rock, Colorado

I joined ICMA as an early-career professional and at my first conference, I felt overwhelmed—and a bit out of place as a woman still in her 20s. In recent years, I’ve pursued the Credentialed Manager designation and served on this committee and the Conference Evaluation Committee. Those experiences have reinforced what our colleagues shared: The more involved you become with ICMA, the more comfortable and connected you feel. If you are considering a next step within the association, I suggest you take it.

Making the Most of Your ICMA Annual Conference Experience

David Miller, City Administrator, Springtown, Texas

Community and networking are at the heart of the ICMA Annual Conference experience. While the education sessions, keynote speakers, and professional development opportunities are invaluable, it’s often the relationships we build that have the greatest impact on our careers and our ability to serve our communities.
 

I learned this firsthand when I attended my first ICMA Annual Conference. Like many first-time attendees, I was completely lost. The conference was overwhelming, and I found myself isolated simply because I didn’t know how to navigate the event or connect with others. I missed opportunities that could have enhanced my experience and expanded my professional network.

That experience became the primary motivation for my involvement with the ICMA Welcome Ambassadors Committee. I wanted to help ensure that new attendees would not feel the same uncertainty and isolation that I experienced. The committee plays a critical role in welcoming first-time participants and helping them build connections, navigate the conference, and take full advantage of everything ICMA has to offer.

As ICMA members, we all have a responsibility to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment. A simple introduction, invitation to join a conversation, or offer to answer questions can make a lasting difference for someone attending their first conference. These small acts of engagement help transform a large professional gathering into a meaningful community.

When we invest in helping new attendees build connections, we strengthen not only their conference experience but also the future of the profession. Strong networks create lasting relationships, encourage collaboration, and ensure that ICMA remains a vibrant community of leaders committed to supporting one another and advancing local government excellence.

TAYLOR LOUGH is assistant town administrator of Highland Park, Texas.
DAVID MILLER is city administrator of Springtown, Texas.
LINDSAY RADCLIFF-COOMBES is deputy town manager of Severance, Colorado.
KRISTIN READ is assistant town manager of Castle Rock, Colorado.