As announced earlier this year, the Municipal Council of Manzini and the Eswatini Local Authority Managers Association (ELAMA) in Eswatini and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) in South Africa are the hosts for the 2025 ICMA Global Exchange. ICMA members will travel to Manzini, Eswatini, and Johannesburg, South Africa, to exchange best practices in local government management. Participants will have the opportunity to interact with municipal managers and other local government staff while discussing how to address local government challenges that are common across the globe. 

Eswatini

Attendees will experience four days filled with local government learning and exchange as well as Swazi culture and heritage. Participants will begin with attendance at the Inaugural Local Government Seminar that will revolve around the themes of smart cities, human capital management, and climate change adaptation and urban resilience. Following these experiences, the group will attend the international trade fair, visit four nearby cities and a cultural village, and celebrate Eswatini Independence Day. At the International Trade Fair, international private companies, state-owned entities, and other organizations exhibit, market, and demonstrate their products. There are side events and seminars as well as musical performances and networking opportunities. The visits to nearby cities will include meetings with city leaders, site visits to strategic projects, and visits to other areas of interest. Eswatini Independence Day will be a chance for the delegation to experience Swazi heritage and cultural events. 

South Africa

ICMA members will attend a one-day Municipal Managers Forum held in conjunction with SALGA's 7th Annual Local Government Talent Management Seminar (ALGTM). The theme for the 2025 Talent Management Seminar is transforming talent management for urban excellence. The municipal managers forum will be an opportunity for ICMA members to interact with municipal managers and other staff from all 267 South African municipalities and discuss global local government challenges. ICMA members will learn about local government in South Africa and attend round table discussions on such topics as approaches to addressing key challenges of crime, poverty, and pollution; public transportation for the economically disadvantaged; professionalization of local government; and other issues. At the ALGTM, ICMA members will be able to interact with other local government staff and discuss best practices in workforce development and training, upskilling, and retention and recruitment. In addition to the conference, the delegation will travel to Mogale City and Pretoria to learn more about daily local government life and participate in uniquely South African cultural experiences. 

Fees and Deadlines 

The registration fee is $895 for each participant (members and guests) and includes ground transportation costs, fees, and certain meals, as noted in the draft schedule. Participants are responsible for their airfare and hotel costs. Group hotel rates have been negotiated and the nightly rate ranges between $150 and $220. Any meals that are not covered by the registration fee or otherwise included are also the responsibility of the participant. Registrants will receive information directly via e-mail about booking their hotel room using the discounted rate after their registration is completed. 

Registration closes on July 25, 2025. Refunds can be processed until July 25.

Important Registration Notes

Enter the phone number that can be used to contact you during the exchange in the Primary Phone Number field on the registration form. This will not change the primary contact number in your ICMA profile. 

Individuals with special accommodation or dietary requirements can enter them in the box titled "ADA needs" on the registration form so we can be sure to accommodate or inform you prior to registration closing if we are not able to accommodate.

If you plan to bring a guest, include them at the time of registration by clicking the “add guest” button at the bottom of the member registration page. It’s not possible to edit your registration information once the form is submitted, including adding a guest. We recommend waiting until your guest plans are finalized to begin your registration. 

Join Us!

Local governments around the world face similar challenges. Join your ICMA colleagues for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience local government from an entirely new perspective and contribute to strengthening the local government profession and improving communities worldwide.  

Note that this event is open to all ICMA members. If you are not an ICMA member and would like to participate in this event, follow the instructions on the Become a Member webpage and join ICMA today. 

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Individuals with questions about the programming or costs can contact Jeanette Gass, senior program manager, at jgass@icma.org.