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Agenda

The conference program will be held at Madden's on Gull Lake in Brainerd, Minnesota.

As additional conference information becomes available, the agenda below will be updated.

Wednesday, April 30

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

4:30 - 5 p.m. - First Time Attendees and New Members Reception

5 - 5:45 p.m. - Welcome Reception

5:45 - 7 p.m. - Dinner and Annual Business Meeting

7 - 8 p.m. - Conference Welcome and Opening General Session: The Serious Side of Laughter: An Evening with Tim Gard

Join motivational humorist Tim Gard for "The Serious Side of Laughter," a refreshing and engaging program tailored for city, county, and state employees. In this entertaining and insightful session, Tim will demonstrate how humor can help reduce stress, improve morale, and increase productivity in your work and daily life. Using his proven stress-relief techniques, observational humor, and unique props, Tim will show you simple ways to "act, not react" to challenges and create a more positive mindset. His lighthearted yet practical approach provides tools to diffuse negativity and turn adversity into opportunities.

8 - 10 p.m. - Evening Reception

 

Thursday, May 1

7:30 - 9:00 a.m. - Attendee Hot Breakfast

9:00 a.m. - 12 p.m. - General Session: Role Growth and Learning: LEGO Serious Play

To develop an enhanced connection to their role and peers, a LEGO Serious Play workshop is recommended for city government personnel to explore inspiration, challenges, and solutions. This experience will allow each participant to explore deeper and more creative outcomes using the hand-mind connection by building with LEGO bricks. Participants will respond to customized prompts to tell their own stories that create a common experience and have fun in the process. Possible workshop prompts may include:

  • What about my role inspires me/what is happening in my city?

  • What does a successful version of my role look like?

  • What are some challenges facing my city (relevant to my position)?

  • What are ways to solve some of the common challenges experienced by our table?

12 - 1 p.m. - Lunch

1 - 1:50 p.m. - Breakout Sessions

2 - 2:50 p.m. - Breakout Sessions

3:30 - Work-Life Balance Activity - 5k Run/Walk

5:15 - 5:45 p.m. - Reception

5:45 - 7:30 p.m. - Celebrate Public Service Dinner and Awards Program

8 - 10:30 p.m. - President's Reception

 

Friday, May 2

7 - 9 a.m. - Attendee Hot Breakfast

9 - 9:30 a.m. - ICMA Update

9:30 - 10:45 a.m. - Closing General Session: "Take a Zero!" How Your Off Hours Can Fuel Your Work Hours

Speaker: Allison Young

Pioneering psychologist Carl Jung said, “The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect, but by play.” What we do during our free time can significantly impact our success at work. Pursuing hobbies, sports, or even simply changing our surroundings can have powerful effects on our mental and physical well-being, flexibility, problem-solving skills as well as resilience in the workplace. Alison Young, an experienced long-distance backpacker who’s walked over 12,000 miles across six continents, is your expert guide on this transformative journey.

10:45 a.m. - Grab n' Go Box Lunch