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City of Savannah proud to host, participate in Georgia Municipal Association annual convention
SAVANNAH (June 23) – The Hostess City of the South is playing host for the Georgia Municipal Association’s annual convention June 23 – 27 at the Savannah Convention Center and welcoming more than 2400 attendees from around the state to network, grow and learn in a series of interactive sessions, while also highlighting major achievements.
“Savannah is Georgia’s First City, and as such, we play an important role in fostering conversation and collaboration statewide,” said Mayor Van R. Johnson, II. “I am excited to open this year’s general session with remarks that highlight this crucial leadership role Savannah plays among our state’s impressive, formidable municipalities.”
City staff and members of City Council will be actively participating in events throughout the convention – and Savannah will be front and center for several recognitions.
Events of note for local media include:
Sunday, June 25
Opening General Session
9 to 10:30 a.m.
(Welcome by Mayor Van R. Johnson, II)
Monday, June 26
Awards Luncheon
12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
(City of Savannah to receive recognition as a City of Civility)
For more details and media contact, please review the below release from the Georgia Municipal Association:
Contact:
Latisha Gray, Director of Communications
404-809-9457
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2023
Georgia Municipal Association to Host Annual Convention June 23-27 in Savannah
The organization welcomes more than 2400 attendees while celebrating its
90th Anniversary.
SAVANNAH, GA – The Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) will hold its annual convention and celebrate its 90th anniversary at the Savannah Convention Center June 23-27. More than 2400 municipal leaders from around the state of Georgia will gather to unite, grow, learn and network.
“The Georgia Municipal Association is excited to be back in Savannah for our annual convention and to celebrate our 90th year of uniting Georgia’s cities, ” said GMA’s CEO & Executive Director Larry Hanson. “Our theme, ‘Soaring to New Heights’ encapsulates the remarkable journey of Georgia’s cities over the past 90 years and the endless possibilities that lie ahead.”
The convention provides an opportunity for city officials to learn about best practices in municipal government, sharpen their leadership skills, help shape the Association’s legislative policies and build and strengthen relationships through numerous networking opportunities. GMA is the only state organization that represents municipal governments, and all of Georgia’s 537 cities are members. Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, non-profit organization that provides legislative advocacy, educational, employee benefit and technical assistance services to its 537 member cities.
A few highlights of the convention include:
Friday, June 23
Training Institute at Annual Convention
The Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute, offered through GMA and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, kicks off on Friday. The institute is offering a total of 46 training classes in conjunction with the 2023 Annual Convention.
Saturday,
June 24
Policy Committees Meet
GMA members will participate in six policy committee sessions to discuss issues most pressing to Georgia’s cities. The following policy committees will meet: Environment and Natural Resources, Public Safety Policy, Municipal Government, Revenue and Finance, Community Development and Transportation.
Sunday, June 25
Opening General Session
The opening general session will include a keynote address from General (Ret.) Mark A. Welsh III.
Annual Business Meeting
The Annual Business Meeting will include the adoption of the organizations new policies as well as induction of new board members and officers.
Monday, June 26
Monday General Session
The Monday general session will include remarks from former NASA astronaut Joan Higginbotham. In addition, a panel including DCA Commissioner Christopher Nunn, Seth Millican of the Georgia Chamber, Mayor Bianca Motley Broom and Mayor Lester Miller will discuss the need for more housing options across Georgia and partnerships to incentivize affordable and workforce housing.
Awards Luncheon
The Awards Luncheon will recognize the new Municipal Government Hall of Fame inductees, presentation of the Georgia Cities Foundation’s Renaissance and Starr awards, recognition of the Clerk of the Year, Cities of Civility and new and recertified Cities of Ethics, and presentation of the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute certificates.