The ICMA Annual Conference has set a new record with more than 5,400 registered attendees. Individuals gathered from 24 countries and 1,673 communities to experience four days of education and networking and to take a look at what’s hot and new in the local government field at the 2025 ICMA Annual Conference, which took place October 25-29 in Tampa, Florida.
General Sessions Highlight the Power of Connection and Purposeful Leadership
Attendees filled the 4,200-seat West Hall for four days of ICMA conference general sessions that provided a powerful framework for building and leveraging four vital relationships essential for effective leadership:
Relationships with Others: Arthur C. Brooks, award-winning Harvard professor and author of Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt, kicked off the ICMA Annual Conference on Sunday with an inspiring presentation, sponsored by MissionSquare Retirement, about relationships with others. Brooks shared the roadmap for navigating social division and building stronger interpersonal connections, even with those with whom you disagree. Watch it >
ICMA members can also access an exclusive Q&A session with Arthur C. Brooks and ICMA CEO/ED Julia D. Novak. Watch it >
Relationship with Yourself: Sponsored by Prophecy Gov, the Monday keynote, Personal Power and Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges, Dr. Amy Cuddy, social psychologist, award-winning Harvard lecturer, and bestselling author, focused on making the connection between your mind and body, helping you build authentic power and presence from within. Watch it >
Relationships within the Profession: The Tuesday general session, My Mount Rushmore, was a masterclass in leadership, featuring a panel discussion with local government trailblazers Valerie Lemmie, senior advisor for state and local government, Charles F. Kettering Foundation; John Nalbandian, professor emeritus, public administration, University of Kansas; Robert O’Neill Jr., executive in residence, College of Charleston, South Carolina; and Jan Perkins, former city manager/vice president, Raftelis; and facilitated by ICMA CEO/ED Julia D. Novak, explored the powerful connection to professional mentors and the history of the local government profession, showing how it shapes your career. Watch it >
Relationships with Your Community: Closing out the conference, in the Wednesday general session, sponsored by OpenGov, Peter Kageyama, urbanist, author, innovator, and placemaker, inspired attendees to build a stronger emotional bond between people and the places they call home, leading to a more vibrant community. Watch it >
These videos will be available online through December 31.
Watch Now Watch Members-Only Bonus Q&A
Education Sessions Draw Big Crowds
The ICMA conference’s 140 education sessions, designed by the Conference Education Committee, had strong attendance, with some attracting more than 300 attendees, including Hot Topics in Local Government: The Spice-quel with nearly 380 attendees and How to Deal with Annoying Crap: Celebrating a Decade of Solutions! with approximately 335 attendees.
The ICMA Hub: Resources and Relaxation
The ICMA HUB provided an attractive, comfortable area for member engagement, where attendees found personalized support regarding ethics questions, credentialing, service awards, program opportunities, and professional development. By offering real-time guidance and connecting members with expert staff and senior advisors, participants were empowered to make the most of their conference experience. Beyond information and resources, the HUB was designed as a welcoming retreat where members could recharge, network, and build relationships in a relaxed atmosphere, fostering a sense of community and belonging outside of formal sessions.
Exhibit Hall Delivers New Products
Showcasing the latest products and services to help solve organizational challenges, develop leadership skills, advance your career, and find inspiration to create a lasting impact in your community, the Exhibit Hall featured 232 exhibiting companies and 368 total booths. This included 83 new exhibitors and 10 product theater presentations, which provided a unique look at products and services that are relatively new to the local government audience.
2026 ICMA Annual Conference
The 2026 ICMA Annual Conference will take place October 17-21 in Long Beach, California; sign up to be notified when registration opens, and in the meantime, explore ICMA’s array of other events planned over the next 12 months.
Local Government Reimagined Conferences – Save $50 through November 30.
April 8-10 | AI in Local Government | Orlando, FL
May 13-15 | Democracy in Local Government | Philadelphia, PA
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A new, reduced dues rate is available for CAOs/ACAOs, along with additional discounts for those in smaller communities, has been implemented. Learn more and be sure to join or renew today!
