The Center for Priority Based Budgeting will soon host its annual conference August 5-7 in Denver, Colorado.  This conference is always a good opportunity to learn not only about priority based budgeting, but to learn about many other innovative approaches that local governments from throughout the US and Canada are pursuing. It is also a great opportunity to network with local government innovators as well as the partner organizations of the Center for Priority Based Budgeting.

Since making  “Top Three, Five or Ten Lists” seems to be all the rage right now, I thought I would create one on key reasons to attend the CPBB Conference this year:

1.  Learn about the innovative approach to budgeting of priority based budgeting that allows you to tie your local government expenditures to your goals.
2. Meet  like-minded local government professionals who  are implementing priority based budgeting and other innovative strategies in their jurisdictions and discuss implementation tips and ideas. 
3. Continue your work to “Reinvent Government” through the innovative services of ICMA including the Center for Management Strategies and the Center for Public Safety Management.  ICMA is reinventing its products and services to better serve your needs, including the new ICMA Analytics performance management tool. 
4. Hear about new strategies in economic development, shared services, enhanced revenues to enhance your local government’s performance.
5. Engage!  Priority based budgeting is a great way to engage your entire organization (and community!) in your important financial and budgetary management work.  Share what you know and you just may get great information in return!
6. Check out the exhibit hall for the latest information, tools and services  to help you do a great job in your organization.  And, there are usually great giveaways too!!
7. Take advantage of the 10% discount for ICMA or AFI members!
8. Enjoy Denver and all it has to offer in terms of beautiful scenery, great food and lots to do, right in the downtown!
9. Priority based budgeting can be fun!  If you haven’t met Jon Johnson, Chris Fabian and Erik Fabian of CPBB,   you are in for a real treat!  They are experienced local government finance professionals and genuinely nice guys!
10. Be inspired toward higher creativity and innovation in your work as a local government professional. You don’t have to be a finance expert to attend this conference as there are lots of other innovation-related topics that will be covered. 

Hopefully, you will find one or more reasons to attend this year’s Center for Priority Based Budget Conference in Denver this year.  But don’t wait, you don’t want to miss your chance to “catch the new wave” of local government!!  Register Today!