Agenda
Wednesday, April 29
12 - 4:30 p.m. - Optional Golf Scramble
The Gravel Pit Golf Course - 13-Hole Scramble
2 - 4:30 p.m. - Optional Pre-Conference Networking Activities
The Gravel Pit Golf Course
2 p.m. - Registration Open
Town Hall Upper Lobby
4:30 - 5 p.m. - First Time Attendees and New Members Reception
Town Hall Upper Lobby
5 - 5:45 p.m. - Welcome Reception
Town Hall Upper Lobby
5:45 - 7 p.m. - Dinner Buffet and Annual Business Meeting
Town Hall Ballroom
7 - 8 p.m. - Conference Welcome and Opening General Session: Thrive Through Connection
Speaker: Mark Scharenbroich
As responsibilities increase and resources tighten, leaders don’t thrive because of the challenges they face. They thrive because of the connections they create.
In this energizing, story-driven keynote, Emmy Award winner and Hall of Fame speaker Mark Scharenbroich explores how meaningful recognition and authentic connection fuel leadership, growth, and renewal at every level of city and county management. Drawing from his award-winning book Nice Bike – Making Meaningful Connections on the Road of Life, Mark reveals how three simple actions — acknowledge, honor, and connect — help teams feel seen, supported, and inspired. Participants will leave with practical tools to strengthen relationships with colleagues, staff, and community members, while building a culture that supports long-term success.
Filled with humor, real-world stories, and memorable takeaways, this session will challenge you to lead with purpose, connect with intention, and create more “Nice Bike” moments that help communities truly thrive.
Book signing in ballroom following the keynote.
Town Hall Ballroom
8 - 10 p.m. - Evening Reception
Pavilion (weather permitting) or Wilson Pay Lower Lobby
Thursday, April 30
7:30 - 9 a.m. - Attendee Hot Breakfast
Wilson Bay Dining Room
9 - 10 a.m. - General Session: Creating a Workplace That Doesn't Suck
Speaker: Hannah Ubl
We spend nearly a third of our lives at work, yet too many people start their Mondays with dread instead of enthusiasm. With budget constraints, workforce shortages, and ongoing job stressors, it’s understandable that people are struggling, but a shift is underway. Organizations that thrive recognize a simple truth: the solution isn't technology or strategy alone, but their people.
Igniting a bold vision for the future of work, Hannah Ubl’s presentation asks attendees to imagine a workplace that truly puts people first. Ubl challenges outdated ideas about work ethic and corporate culture, exploring the mindset shifts needed to build trust, nurture emotional culture, lead with authenticity, and prevent burnout.
Drawing on compelling case studies and best-in-class examples from human-first organizations, Ubl shows what’s possible when colleagues support one another and align around a shared sense of purpose. Attendees will gain action-driven insights into how to create a workplace that doesn’t suck but thrives.
Town Hall Ballroom
11 - 11:50 a.m. - Breakout Sessions
12 - 12:45 p.m. - Lunch Buffet
Town Hall Ballroom
12:45 - 1:50 p.m. - General Session: The U.S. Economy: Tariffs, Trade, and Treasuries
Speaker: Dr. Elliott Eisenberg
During this entertaining and informative session, Elliot Eisenberg, Ph.D., will provide a financial overview and outlook of the economic environment. Eisenberg will share his thoughts on how all four parts of GDP will perform, what changes are in store for the softening labor market, the path of inflation, the thinking of the Federal Reserve, the likely route of interest rates, and the likelihood of a near-term recession.
Eisenberg will also delve into new and existing home sales, office vacancy rates, home prices, auto, credit card, and home mortgage default rates, rising construction and energy costs, tariffs, fiscal policy, the federal budget deficit, and much more.
2 - 2:50 p.m. - Breakout Sessions
3:30 - Work-Life Balance Activity - 5k Run/Walk
Meet at Wilson Bay Lower Deck
5:15 - 5:45 p.m. - Reception
Town Hall Upper Lobby
5:45 - 7:30 p.m. - Celebrate Public Service Dinner and Awards Program
Town Hall Ballroom
8 - 10:30 p.m. - President's Reception
Pavilion (weather permitting)
Friday, May 1
7 - 9 a.m. - Attendee Breakfast
Wilson Bay Dining Room
9 - 9:50 a.m. - General Session: Burnsville Incident Management
Speaker: Burnsville City Administrator Gregg Lindberg
Town Hall Ballroom
10 - 11 a.m. - Closing Keynote: Rest, Recharge, Repeat: How Sleep Fuels Leadership, Growth, and Renewal
Speaker: Sarah Moe
In a culture that often celebrates busyness over balance, sleep is frequently overlooked. Yet, it may be one of the most underrated leadership strategies.
In this energizing and educational keynote, sleep expert Sarah Moe reveals what truly happens when we sleep and why quality rest is essential for effective leadership and long-term success.
Participants will learn the neuroscience behind memory, decision-making, stress resilience and emotional regulation, all delivered with humor and real-life stories that bring science to life.
This session reveals how consistent, high-quality sleep helps Minnesota community leaders and public servants thrive professionally, grow personally, and renew their capacity to serve with clarity and compassion.
Attendees will leave with practical tools, evidence-based habits, and a renewed appreciation for the power of simply going to bed.
Town Hall Ballroom
11 a.m. - Grab n' Go Box Lunch
Town Hall Upper Lobby