Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
Springfield City Councillor Jose Delgado, left, Westfield Mayor Michael McCabe, center, and Chicopee Mayor John Vieau share a moment during Connect 351 on Jan. 24 in Boston.
Engagement, inspiration and dedication carried through as themes of the MMA’s Connect 351 conference on Jan. 23-25 in Boston, where roughly 1,400 municipal officials from across the state gathered for compelling speakers, timely workshops, countless networking opportunities, and a bustling Trade Show.
Connect 351, a rebranding of the MMA’s Annual Meeting & Trade Show, included many of the familiar sessions and networking experiences that attendees have come to expect, but in a new location and with expanded programming.
Convening at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston’s Seaport District, the event kicked off on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 23, with the Trade Show and two new sessions: “speed coaching” offered a team of seasoned town managers, and a Women Leading Government conversation between Needham Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick and Opal Mauldin-Jones, the city manager of Lancaster, Texas.
“We all can be mentors and we can all be mentees,” Mauldin-Jones said. “We all have something to give and we all have something to receive.”
[Note: The MMA website and this issue of The Beacon feature full coverage of Connect 351 events and speakers.]
Friday keynote speaker Suneel Gupta, a bestselling author, scholar and CEO, discussed the habits of extraordinary leaders and the vital importance of the management of personal energy. Following Gupta were Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, who had announcements about Chapter 90 funding, their reboot of the Municipal Empowerment Act, and the opening of the Community One Stop for Growth portal.
The conference was the second as MMA executive director for Adam Chapdelaine, a veteran of local government who attended many MMA conferences as a member.
“We firmly believe that local government is foundational to democracy, and that all of you have been entrusted, by the residents in your cities and towns, with ensuring public safety, public health and delivering a broad array of services that establish the basis of the quality of life in your communities,” he told members. “The MMA is laser focused on helping you reach your goals and achieve success in your communities.”
At the Women Elected Municipal Officials Leadership Luncheon, Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh discussed her career in health care and offered insight into the impacts of the caretaking role on women.
The MMA presented six legislative awards during the Friday dinner.
On Saturday, Jan. 25, Lt. Gov. Driscoll returned to address the MMA’s Annual Business Meeting, followed by video messages from U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, who discussed the delegation’s efforts to win funding for Massachusetts communities. Members then approved four policy resolutions.
Also during the business meeting, Franklin Town Administrator Jamie Hellen was elected president of the MMA, and Amesbury Mayor Kassandra Gove was elected vice president.
The conference featured 18 workshops and six Learning Labs across two days that explored topics ranging from diversity, equity and inclusion to federal funding, succession planning and artificial intelligence. Presentation materials from the workshops are available on the MMA website.
Municipal officials interact with exhibitors during the MMA Trade Show during Connect 351.
The Trade Show featured more than 270 exhibitors, including a number of environmental consulting, financial, energy and technology firms — plus the debut of “EV Alley,” an area designated for electric vehicle and charger technology and municipally oriented electric vehicles.
The Massachusetts Mayors’ Association, Massachusetts Municipal Management Association, Massachusetts Select Board Association, and Massachusetts Municipal Councillors’ Association held their annual business meetings on Saturday, electing leadership and discussing timely topics. Housing and Liveable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus spent time with the Councillors’ Association discussing the emergency shelter program and housing production and preservation.
Facilitator and podcast host Matt Lehrman energized the Saturday morning crowd by discussing how disagreement is not just natural but necessary, and asking how civic engagement leaves people feeling in their communities. Lehrman also joined the Select Board Association for its business meeting.
For the seventh year, the MMA’s conference had a mobile app to help attendees make the most of their experience. The app features comprehensive information and interactive features, including the ability to access workshop materials, build a personal schedule, connect with fellow attendees, and receive important notifications and updates.
Joyce Losick-Yang, Andover’s director of sustainability and energy, presents from the podium during the workshop “Sparking Success With Municipal Internship Programs” at Connect 351 on Jan. 24 in Boston. The other panelists were, left to right, Melanie Cutler, an educator at Andover High School; Brittney Franklin, assistant to the town administrator in Medfield; and Amanda Lima, Yarmouth’s town engineer.
The event brought back two popular features: a Headshot Station that offered members free professional headshots, and a “Why I Serve” activity in the entrance hall, where attendees could take a moment to share why they chose to enter public service.
Awards were announced to recognize the best municipal websites, town reports, and innovative programs.
“The whole MMA team is thrilled with the response to this rebranded and relocated conference — not to mention the record attendance!” Chapdelaine said. “Everyone worked very hard, starting many months ago, to create an event that felt fresh and new, but retained the comfortable feeling that members look forward to.
“The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and we appreciate the support of so many members who came to learn, network and continue their outstanding public service to their communities.”
Next year’s Connect 351 — on Jan. 22-24, 2026 — will return to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center and the Omni Boston Hotel in Boston’s Seaport district.