MMA.ORGThe Trade Show will feature nine Learning Lab exhibitor workshops, providing opportunities to hear from experts on a variety of topics.
11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Efficiency Consulting for Municipalities (Lab 1)
Presented by Kimley-Horn, Booth 415
Efficiency consulting is a grassroots initiative intended to provide more innovative solutions for clients. This process enables us to be better, faster, more consistent, and more competitive as consultants. Implementation of efficiency consulting practices gives our clients more of their time back, without compromising quality. Britton Johnson, a senior engineer at Kimley-Horn, will share the motivation behind implementing this initiative and provide examples of tools and process improvements that have been executed for public clients in New England and beyond.
Cost-Effective, Turnkey, Electric Vehicle Charging Solutions for Municipalities (Lab 2)
Presented by Constellation Energy, Booth 1101
Nearly 80% of MMA members are small towns with fewer than 10,000 residents, and most have not yet installed EV charging (EVC) stations for various reasons. Constellation, a trusted and endorsed MMA partner, will present a cost-effective and turnkey EVC solution for MMA member communities, early in the development of their electrification journey. Join us to learn how Constellation’s EVC project management experts will do all of the work for you — from the initial discussion about your specific EVC site needs, to the latest cost-effective options, to a turnkey project installation plan, to flexible project financing, and finally, to securing all of the rebates and incentives available. Once your EVC project is completed, our customer support team will provide around-the-clock service to assist you with any warranty or maintenance requests.
Data Certainty for Negotiations and Budgets (Lab 3)
Presented by LITIX, Booth 1014
When it comes to budgeting and collective bargaining, municipalities continue to grapple with time-consuming, opaque data collection. Join LITIX and learn practical strategies and a data-backed methodology to amplify your expertise and drive successful, confident outcomes. Master the use of total compensation calculators and learn methodologies for crafting competitive and sustainable compensation offers. Develop accurate salary budget projections by analyzing dynamic cost metrics, including leave time, stipends, and longevity costs. Strategize how to save preparation time and achieve rapid insights through dynamic data visualizations and reliable reporting tools. Explore case studies demonstrating how comparable communities use data to navigate negotiations, mitigate risk of arbitration, and ensure talent retention. SAnd simulate the impact of collective bargaining agreements and build “what-if” scenarios.
12:25-12:55 p.m.
Vehicles – Putting Modern Hardware and Software Solutions on the Road Map! (Lab 1)
Presented by Bonsai Logic, Booth 318
Efficient vehicle management is a cornerstone of municipal management. Whether it involves regulating registered access to a facility or parking area, security of a roadway or parking area, monetization of parking, law enforcement needs, or simply surveying traffic, many technologies are readily available today — though most people have limited knowledge of them. This Learning Lab will focus on the benefits of fixed and mobile license plate recognition, mobile and solar-powered WiFi hot spots, parking sensors, solar power and cellular, mobile devices, and their related software. Attendees will receive concrete and experienced information about how they can implement these new technologies in their municipalities.
OSHA Regulations Municipalities Must Follow (Lab 2)
Presented by LeadSmart Training Solutions, Booth 206
This session will cover the regulations your municipality must comply with for your public employees under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. It will offer a review of the relevant Massachusetts law Chapter 149: how it impacts your municipality, when it became effective, and which solutions can help achieve compliance.
Municipal Borrowing Basics (Lab 3)
Presented by KP Law, Booth 815
This Learning Lab will provide a practical overview of the ins and outs of municipal borrowing, including the steps needed to authorize borrowing, the role of bond counsel, required disclosures, and mandatory compliance reporting. In this highly regulated area, being prepared in advance will reduce the risk of errors. Whether you are new to borrowing, or looking for a refresher, this Learning Lab is a must-attend for mayors, managers/administrators, and treasurers.
1:05-1:35 p.m.
The Use of Safe AI in Government (Lab 1)
Presented by BlueVoice.io, Booth 1803
This Learning Lab will explore the practicalities of how government agencies can safely adopt artificial intelligence, and provide a candid look at the emerging tactics criminals use to manipulate municipalities through AI-driven attacks. The session will outline actionable guidelines, real-world risks, and strategies for protecting communities in an AI-powered era.
Navigating the Path to Fleet Electrification for Municipalities (Lab 2)
Presented by National Grid, Booth 524
This session will showcase a fleet electrification journey for municipalities to learn from. We will be bringing our fleet program manager, along with guests from a municipality with which we have worked closely, and a representative from our fleet advisory contractor, ICF. The goal is to guide municipalities that are early in their electrification pursuits and have not yet transitioned to electric vehicles (EVs) through every step they should take, as well as to highlight potential pitfalls.
I Hadn’t Thought About That: Simple Strategies for Mitigating Risk (Lab 3)
Presented by the Office of the Inspector General, Booth 711
All municipalities face challenges in carrying out the business of government. And all municipalities are at risk for fraud, waste and abuse. Staff from the Office of the Inspector General will provide some simple strategies municipalities can implement to help mitigate risk in a number of areas. Many of these strategies are drawn from real-life situations the OIG has encountered. Staff will discuss implementation of controls for topics you may not have had the time to think about.