It goes without saying that the ICMA Annual Conference is my favorite event of the year. It is a time to reflect, reconnect, and learn from one another. It is also a time to celebrate. I have heard from so many members that being honored by their peers at the conference is one of the highlights of a career that frequently goes unrecognized in their own communities. So often our members quietly go about delivering services, implementing policies sometimes without funding, and mitigating potential crises, never seeking the spotlight, and often deflecting praise to their elected officials and staff members.

I don’t envy the task of our Awards Evaluation Committee, chaired by Susan Thorpe, ICMA-CM, and staffed by Joyce Lee and Emily Pohlman from our membership team, as they organize nominations and select the winners. When you read the narratives behind this year’s winners, you will see the very essence of the profession itself. There are descriptions of innovations in programs that have longed vexed CAOs—from keeping contaminants out of the recycling stream to finding new ways of engaging underserved populations. There are stories of new programs and processes borne out of these unprecedented times. For example, reaching every senior citizen with the COVID-19 vaccine and organizing the logistics of mass virus testing for local government staff and the community. There are leading practices cited from communities of a few thousand people and others with populations over a million. Every region of the United States is represented, as well as Canada.

You will also see stories of the public service careers our members have built, some spanning several decades, some just starting. The recipient of our Award for Career Excellence in Memory of Mark E. Keane—Vincent Long, ICMA-CM, from Leon County, Florida—is recognized nationally for his creative and courageous leadership over the past 30 years. Justin Casanova-Davis of Norfolk, Massachusetts, who received our Early Career Leadership Award in Memory of William H. Hansell Jr., began his local government career in 2016.

The scaffolding that upholds these many achievements are the values of this profession. Here are a few that were highlighted: “lifelong learning, a win-win perspective, earns the public trust, analytical, great communicator, relationship builder with elected officials and the business community, advocates for all residents, calm in a crisis, gives back to the profession, a sense of humor.” This is what I believe truly differentiates ICMA members. Their careers and indeed their achievements are values-driven. Our core values as leaders and managers carry through to all aspects of our lives. It is one reason why so many of our professional relationships go beyond collegial to deep and lasting friendships.

This year’s conference theme is “Achieve.” In spite of the blistering pace of change and adversity that this past year has brought to local governments, you have demonstrated your ability to achieve. The 2022 award recipients represent the practices and values that have brought about significant achievements in local government leadership. While we are highlighting the few honorees selected by the Awards Committee, we are extremely proud of what our 12,000 members have been able to accomplish this past year. I know I speak for the ICMA Executive Board and the ICMA staff when I say that it is an honor and privilege to have worked alongside you this past year.

I would be remiss if I did not urge you to start preparing nominations for the 2023 awards, which will open in January. It’s an opportunity for all of us to learn from the best.

MARC OTT is CEO/executive director of ICMA, Washington, D.C.