To our colleagues and friends from across the globe,

Thank you for participating in near record numbers and for sharing your passion for public service.  Our Host Committee set out to offer unique and memorable experiences for our professional family, to take advantage of the rebounding economy and the lure of Boston, and to showcase the innovations in the conference format.  We wanted to experience what we love about Boston - determined, resilient and good-humored people, a culture that connects our past while embracing our future, and vibrant neighborhoods with world-class educational institutions, state-of-the-art museums, and amazing restaurants.  We hope we succeeded in meeting and perhaps exceeding your own expectations for ICMA's 99th Annual Conference.

As you return to your families, friends, and communities, I hope you will reflect on your experiences here and provide feedback to the email survey ICMA will circulate next week.  I know the staff and the 100th anniversary conference planning committee will try to build on the successes of the Boston conference to make Charlotte/Mecklenburg County 2014 even better!  We hope you will share with us any experiences - both positive and negative - so we can improve the next time our state association bids to host the ICMA annual conference.

For the ICMA Boston/New England 2013 Host Committee

Fred Turkington, chair, Promotional Activities sub-committee

Massachusetts Municipal Management Assocation President for 2013