2021 VLGMA Summer Conference
The summer conference is virtual with an option to attend in-person at the VA Beach Hilton.
Conference website
Conference Registration
Registration form
Draft Conference Schedule
Reconnect, Refresh and Recharge is the theme of the 2021 VLGMA Summer Conference, which we feel is fitting due to the current stage of COVID-19 we are in! 2020 was difficult for everyone in Local Government, and as we begin to transition out of “lock down” and “quarantine” we are starting to see more opportunities to reconnect, refresh and recharge with our friends, families and colleagues. While our Summer 2021 conference will still be conducted virtually, there will be opportunities to engage with colleagues in person, something we are excited about offering.
We are pleased to announce that we have worked with the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and have reserved a block of rooms for the conference, which will allow anyone that is interested, and comfortable, to be able to get away from their offices and tune in from Virginia Beach to participate in the Summer 2021 Conference. All of our seminars and workshops will be conducted virtually. The in-person option gives attendees the opportunity to be together in a large conference room participating in the virtual conference together, sharing several meals together and having the chance for in-person networking.
Our Summer Conference will begin on Wednesday, June 16th, with a Pre-Conference ICMA Workshop on Unpacking the Personal Impact of the Pandemic: What’s Next, with Facilitator Felicia Logan from 1:00 – 3:30. This will be immediately followed by a session on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), with Emily Brock from GFOA and a panel of Local Government Professionals, eager to discuss how their localities are capitalizing on ARPA funds, hopefully to give each of you some exciting ideas on how to creatively deploy these funds in your localities.
Our Keynote Speaker on Thursday morning will be John O’Leary. Don’t miss his powerful and inspirational story on the will to live. Strengthened by the past, and empowered for the future, John shows us how to seek fresh insights, reach for new solutions, connect with those around us, and live our best lives. It’s time to rediscover our childlike sense of wonder to unleash inspiration, meaning and joy. It’s time to relearn what we once knew was possible. It’s time to live IN AWE.
Other exciting seminars for the week include:
· Council/Board Management, presented by John Thomas, DecideSmart and former director Weldon Cooper Center and Charles Hartgrove from the Virginia Institute of Government
· Ethical, Character driven Leadership, presented by Dick Ayres, Center for Labor and Management Studies
· “How I Lead”, presented by Bryan Hill, Fairfax County Executive
· The Art of Moving Forward, presented by Antoinette Allen, PhD, Federal Executive Institute
· Resiliency Matters – For Your Health and Productivity, presented by Sandra Shaklan, CIGNA
· An overview and discussion of the current political climate in Virginia, presented by former Lieutenant Governor, Bill Bolling
· An overview of the recent Marcus Alert Legislation, presented by Staff from the Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services (DBHDS)
· Pandemic Lessons Learned and Thoughts Moving forward, presented by Dr. Danny Avula, head of the Virginia Vaccination program and Craig Fifer, state and local liaison
We sincerely hope to see you either in person or virtually for the Summer 2021 Conference! We believe that we have put together an interesting and diverse program that will be relevant to all local government professions from counties, cities and towns, small and large.
Summer Conference Co-Chairs:
Morgan Quicke, County Administrator, County of Richmond
Jim Taylor, Deputy County Administrator, County of Hanover