2026 VLGMA Summer Conference
Currents of Change
Currents of Change
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
On behalf of the Virginia Local Government Managers Association and our conference partners, welcome to the 2026 Summer Conference: Currents of Change. As your co-chairs, we could not be more excited to have the opportunity to gather with so many talented and dedicated local government professionals from across the Commonwealth this June. Whether this will be your first VLGMA conference or one of many, we are so glad to welcome you!
This year's theme, Currents of Change, grew out of a simple truth we all recognize: our work never stands still. New legislation, shifting labor relations, emerging technologies, and evolving community needs are constantly reshaping how we lead and serve. Rather than shy away from that reality, we wanted to lean into it - bringing together the voices, experiences, and ideas that can help all of us navigate these currents with greater confidence and clarity.
We are truly proud of the program we have worked to put together and we think you will be too. You can look forward to timely and practical sessions on collective bargaining under Virginia's new labor laws, legislative updates from the 2026 General Assembly, gaming and casino development, and cross-jurisdictional network building, along with breakout workshops on AI use policy, council orientation programs, manager contracts, and more. There is something meaningful for everyone.
And beyond the sessions, we have built in plenty of opportunities to connect and unwind. Wednesday will conclude with a cocktail hour - a great chance to catch up with familiar faces and meet new colleagues. On Thursday, we invite you to join us for a networking event at Beachside Social, one of Virginia Beach's favorite gathering spots. In between, we encourage you to take full advantage of everything Virginia Beach has to offer. Our host hotel, the Hilton Oceanfront, puts you steps from the beach, so whether you want to take a sunrise walk along the water, enjoy a meal on the boardwalk, or simply soak in the ocean air, we hope you will make time to recharge while you are here.
The conversations that happen outside the meeting room – in the hall, over a meal, or with your toes in the sand - are often the ones that stay with you longest. We have tried to create the space for all of it.
Thank you for your continued commitment to public service. We hope to see you in Virginia Beach this June!
With excitement,
2026 Summer Conference Co-Chairs
Dan Hoffman
Town Manager, Town of Herndon
Kirstyn Jovanovich, ICMA-CM
Deputy Town Manager, Town of Herndon
Registration & Hotel Information :
You must be signed in under the individual who you wish to register. The name of the attendee cannot be changed after the fact. If you need assistance logging into your account, please contact staff at alysse@virginia.edu.
Those with a current VLGMA membership may register at the member-only price of $400. If you need to verify your membership status, please contact staff at alysse@virginia.edu. If you are not a VLGMA member, the conference registration fee is $450. All those interested in attending who work for a private company must register through a sponsorship opportunity.
No free conference cancellations will be accepted after Monday, June 1st.
Rooms will go quickly, especially for Tuesday night, so we encourage you to secure a room as soon as possible!