Atltanta to Host International Government Association S

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Council Communications City Hall 55 Trinity Ave. SW Atlanta, Ga 30303

Contact: Chris Shalby, IIMC Executive Director [email protected] 1-909-944-4162

Dexter Chambers City Council Communications Director 404-330-6309/392-0159

Date: May 12, 2008

ATLANTA TO HOST INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MUNICIPAL CLERKS 62ND ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young to be Keynote Speaker at Opening Ceremony President Elect, Dyanne Reese, CMC, City Clerk, Savannah, GA, To Succeed As IIMC’s First African American President

Dyanne Reese Charles E. Tokar Rhonda Dauphin Johnson IIMC President-Elect IIMC President Atlanta Municipal Clerk IIMC Conference Host City Clerk

ATLANTA – The International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC), a professional nonprofit association with more than 10,000 members throughout the U.S., Canada and 15 other countries will hold its 62nd Annual Conference from May 18 to May 22, 2008 in Atlanta, GA.

With the help of Atlanta Host City Clerk Rhonda Dauphin Johnson and the IIMC Atlanta 2008 Host Committee, the five-day Conference will attract more than 1000 delegates and guests from around the world. Themed, “Georgia On My Mind –Achieving Global Excellence," the Conference will feature 12 Academy Seminars, more than 30 concurrent education sessions, four General Sessions, a two-and- a-half-day exhibit program, an annual business meeting, and other activities and events. The majority of U.S. states and Canadian provinces will be represented including delegates from Australia, Bulgaria, South Africa, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Israel, Nepal, Belgium, and Portugal.

“Our Conferences are integral to our organization’s growth and future,” said IIMC President Charles E. Tokar, MMC, Village Clerk, Village of Chicago Ridge, IL. “They provide our members with an opportunity to learn and develop new methods of how to better facilitate their jobs, to network and to share information with their peers.”

At the conclusion of the Conference, President Elect, Dyanne Reese, CMC, City Clerk, Savannah, GA, will succeed to IIMC President, making her the first African American to hold this position in the organization’s 62-year history.

"The Atlanta conference has a very strong educational component, which will truly assist clerks from around the world to achieve global excellence,” said Rhonda Dauphin Johnson, Atlanta Municipal Clerk and IIMC Host City Clerk. “In addition, I eagerly welcome this tremendous opportunity to showcase Atlanta and its many historical, cultural, academic and sports attractions to this group of professionals, as evidenced by the many planned conference activities.

“We are encouraging our guests to explore a few of Atlanta’s many attractions, sample some of its scrumptious fine dining and simply absorb the wonderful “Southern Hospitality" that the Host Planning Committee of Georgia Clerks and supporters have coalesced to provide. We are especially honored that Georgia's own Dyanne Reese will rise to the presidency of IIMC during the Atlanta conference. And we are confident that delegates and guests will pronounce IIMC Atlanta 2008 'the best ever'!"

Founded in 1947, IIMC is a nonprofit association representing municipalities with populations of 1,000 to more than 8 million. IIMC prepares its membership to meet the challenge of the diverse role of the Municipal Clerk by providing services and continuing educational development opportunities in 45 permanent college-and university-based learning centers.

IIMC offers Municipal Clerks a Certified Municipal Clerk Program (CMC), a Master Municipal Clerk Academy (MMCA) Program and other opportunities to benefit members and the government entities they serve. A 26-member Board governs IIMC.