Registration open for 40th MMA Annual Meeting & Trade Show

Convenient online registration is now open for the largest regular gathering of municipal officials in the state, the MMA Annual Meeting & Trade Show, which will be held on Jan. 18 and 19, 2019, at the Hynes Convention Center and Sheraton Hotel in Boston.

• Please note that as of the Jan. 9 deadline, online registration has closed. Members will be able to register on-site.

Jim Braude and Margery Eagan of WGBH’s “Boston Public Radio” will host a lively and interactive closing session on Saturday afternoon. And Senate President Karen Spilka will address attendees at the Women Elected Municipal Officials luncheon on Friday.

The program includes a keynote address by noted leader Anna Maria Chávez, a Friday dinner appearance by former New England Patriot Matt Light, and lively entertainment on Saturday evening by Howl2GO.

The meeting will feature 34 timely workshops – a record number – on topics such as economic development, municipal and labor law, recreational marijuana, climate change, social media, housing and zoning, municipal finance and budgeting, and age-friendly communities.

Program information about the 2019 MMA Annual Meeting & Trade Show is posted on the MMA website as it becomes available. The event theme is “Strong Communities for a Stronger Commonwealth.”

The MMA Annual Meeting is a forum for learning, networking, product and services information, and a celebration of the efforts and innovations in community governance. In addition to prominent speakers, workshops and the Trade Show, the two-day event features membership business meetings, receptions, awards programs and other activities.

The 2018 Annual Meeting was attended by more than 1,200 local leaders, and the Trade Show featured more than 200 exhibitors.

This year, the MMA will be marking 40 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.

The MMA encourages new municipal officials, including selectmen elected this spring, to attend the two-day event. The morning of Jan. 18 will feature a special session for first-time attendees to help them get the most from the opportunity.

Register now
The advance Annual Meeting registration rate is $180 for members and $295 for registrants from other government entities. After the early registration deadline of Jan. 9, all registrations will be done on-site at a rate of $230 for members and $345 for other government entities.

The MMA accepts credit cards for Annual Meeting transactions. No Annual Meeting registrations can be accepted over the phone.

Reservations are also being accepted for the Women Elected Municipal Officials Leadership Luncheon on Friday, Jan. 18, 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 in order 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 adjacent to the Hynes, is the host hotel for 2019. The MMA negotiated a reduced room rate of $179 per night for a single or $189 per night for a double. The reduced-rate rooms are expected to sell out quickly, and reservations must be made by Dec. 21 to take advantage of the special rates.

Hotel reservations must be made directly with the hotel. To make reservations, call the Sheraton at 800-325-3535 or register online through this website using the specific link for the MMA Annual Meeting rates.

For more information on the Annual Meeting, contact Molly Zuccarini at 617-426-7272, ext. 106. For Trade Show and Partnership Program information, contact Karen LaPointe at 617-426-7272, ext. 154.