Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito will be a special guest speaker during the opening session of the MMA Annual Meeting.
The MMA’s 41st Annual Meeting & Trade Show is fast approaching, time is running short to sign up for this exciting gathering of municipal leaders.
The two-day conference will feature timely and informative workshops and Learning Labs, an impressive lineup of renowned and inspiring speakers, a thriving Trade Show featuring the latest products and services for municipalities, and countless opportunities to network with peers from across Massachusetts.
As an added convenience this year, members will be able to check their coats for free, courtesy of MIIA.
Dynamic speakers
The conference will kick off Friday morning with a keynote address by Deborah Lee James, who became the second woman to lead a U.S. military service when she was named the 23rd secretary of the Air Force by President Barack Obama. James will share her strategies for not just surviving, but thriving in challenging public environments.
The opening session will also feature a special guest speaker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, who has attended every MMA Annual Meeting since taking office five years ago.
Tickets are available – and are expected to go quickly – for the popular Women Elected Municipal Officials luncheon on Friday with trailblazing sports reporter Jackie MacMullan, the Friday evening dinner with journalist and comedian Faith Salie, and the Saturday evening event with the Bon Jovi tribute band Living on a Bad Name.
The closing speaker on Saturday afternoon, Leon Andrews Jr., director of the National League of Cities’ Race, Equity and Leadership (REAL) program, will discuss how local leaders can have honest conversations about race and narrow racial divides.
MMA Annual Meeting and Trade Show provides numerous opportunities for networking.
Learning sessions
Thirty-four workshops on Friday and Saturday will cover important and timely municipal issues such as civic engagement, climate change, cable regulations, the opioid crisis, school finance, the U.S. Census and much more.
The list of workshop titles, full descriptions and panelists are now available. Workshop details will also be available in the Annual Meeting Program Book and the Annual Meeting & Trade Show mobile app.
In addition to more than 200 exhibitors showcasing the latest tools and services available to municipalities, the Trade Show will feature 10 Learning Lab sessions covering topics ranging from PFAS contamination to municipal borrowing.
New municipal officials elected in 2019, and veteran officials who have not attended Annual Meeting in the past, are encouraged to attend a special welcoming session on Friday morning.
Don’t miss out
The MMA Annual Meeting is the largest regular gathering of local officials in Massachusetts. The 2019 event was attended by more than 1,300 local leaders, and the Trade Show featured more than 200 exhibitors.
This year, the MMA will be marking 41 years of bringing municipal officials together to articulate a clear and united municipal message, to develop and advocate for unified policies, and to share information and work together to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of municipal service delivery.
Register now
The advance Annual Meeting registration rate is $185 for members. After the early registration deadline of Jan. 15, all registrations will be done on-site at a rate of $235 for members.
Online registration is available at www.mma.org/am-registration. The MMA accepts credit cards for Annual Meeting transactions. No Annual Meeting registrations can be accepted over the phone.
Reservations are also available for the WEMO Leadership Luncheon on Friday, Jan. 24, and the Friday and Saturday evening dinners.
MMA Partnership Program members qualify for member rates. All Partnership Program members must renew with payment by Jan. 1 to register for and attend the MMA Annual Meeting & Trade Show. Partnership Program renewals or applications will not be accepted at the Annual Meeting.
Hotel information
The Sheraton Boston Hotel, conveniently located next to the Hynes, is the host hotel for the MMA Annual Meeting. The MMA negotiated a reduced room rate of $185 per night for a single or $195 per night for a double. The reduced-rate rooms are expected to sell out quickly, and reservations must be made by Jan. 5 to take advantage of the special rates.
For more information on the Annual Meeting, contact Timmery Kuck at 617-426-7272, ext. 106. For Trade Show and Partnership Program information, contact Karen LaPointe at 617-426-7272, ext. 154.