GOLD SPONSORS: PRESENTING SPONSOR: SILVER SPONSORS: PLATINUM SPONSORS: BRONZE SPONSORS: Make SPINE to fit text pages GMA Officers Savannah International Trade and Convention Center WUpperelcome Levelto the Georgia Municipal Associa- tion’s 85th Annual Convention! It is always good to gather with the GMA “family” of cities in Savannah and use the opportunity to grow professionally, learn from our interactions with each other and plan together to meet the needs of our cities. This year, the theme of our convention is “The Character of Cities: Civility, Kindness, Inclusion.” President 1st Vice Throughout the Convention, we’ll be learning what Dorothy Hubbard President others are doing to be inclusive and encourage civili- Mayor, Albany Linda Blechinger ty. We’ll explore what defines city “character” – such Mayor, Auburn as its people, amenities, attitude or other attributes. Cities really are where democracy shines, and our Annual Convention embodies the spirit of the Convention theme. We come together from all over the state with different backgrounds, political views and experiences. But despite those differences, city leaders are excited to reconnect with each other and share ideas and support each other in our passion for public service. It really is inspiring to see city officials working together to solve the challenges our communities face and to find ways to improve the 2nd Vice 3rd Vice quality of life in our cities and our state. Hopefully, President President you will return to your city refreshed and inspired! Phil Best Vince Williams I encourage you to make the most of your Mayor, Dublin Mayor, Union City Convention experience. Attend training, policy committeeLower meetings Level and concurrent sessions. Visit the exhibit hall and see what solutions are out there to help your city. And say “thank you” to the exhib- itors and sponsors for their support of the Annual Convention and GMA. Finally, have fun! We hope you enjoy the enter- tainment we have added this year, “The Swingin’ Medallions,” and find fun things to do in your down- time while in Savannah. It is always a pleasure to Immediate Past GMA Executive be in the beautiful city of Savannah and explore the President Director squares, restaurants and shops. Boyd Austin Larry Hanson On behalf of the GMA staff, let me also say that Mayor, Dallas we are here to serve you. If you have any questions or Registration Area concerns or any feedback on how we can make your Annual Convention experience better, please reach out to any of us. Thank you for your attendance and your service. P.O. Box 105377 Atlanta, Georgia 30348 Phone 404.688.0472 www.gmanet.com Make SPINE to fit text pages GENERAL INFORMATION GENERAL INFORMATION Monday Evening Closing Event Exhibit Hall. Badges may be purchased for The closing event will take place on Mon- $25 at the registration desk for non-regis- day, June 25 from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm tered guests. If you will not be using your at the Savannah International Trade and ticket for a particular event, please offer it Convention Center. This year’s event will to a friend or return it to the registration feature a “Taste of Savannah” with some desk at the Trade Center Lobby so that of your favorite Savannah restaurants, fun someone else may use it. activities and Casino games. In addition, enjoy an evening of singing and dancing Delegate Gift Pick Up in the Exhibit Hall with the Swingin’ Medallions beginning at All persons registered for the entire con- 7:30 pm in the Chatham Ballroom. vention should have a Delegate Gift ticket in their packet of tickets. To receive your Special thanks to Gas South for their gift, please bring the ticket to the Delegate support of the closing event. Gift counter located in the Exhibit Hall on Saturday and Sunday. Registration Schedule Registration will be held in the Lobby of the Ribbons Savannah International Trade and Conven- Ribbons for first time attendees, Certified tion Center during the following hours: Cities of Ethics, training certificate recip- Friday, June 22 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. ients, Legislative Policy Council members Saturday, June 23 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and policy committee members may be Sunday, June 24 7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. picked up at the registration desk. Monday, June 25 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 26 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Wireless Internet Service Wireless Internet service is provided Only fully registered attendees will receive throughout the Savannah Internation- a delegate gift ticket. al Trade and Convention Center. Log on to Network GMA18. The password is Registration Fee Savannah. The on-site registration fee is $410 for city officials, $450 for Business Alliance Part- Stay Engaged During GMA’s Annual ners, $135 for spouses of delegates, $65 Convention! for each child of a delegate and $560 for Follow us: @gacities non-members. Tickets are required for ad- Tweet with us: #gacities mittance to convention meals, social events and entertainment. Badges must be worn GMA Annual Convention Mobile App to enter the Exhibit Hall. GMA’s Annual Convention mobile app is FREE and available in the Apple App Store Badges and Function Tickets and the Google Play Store! Search “Georgia Each person (including spouses and chil- Municipal Association Events” and down- dren) who is officially registered will re- load today for up to the minute schedule, ceive a badge and tickets for a delegate session descriptions, exhibitors and spon- gift and the Monday night Closing Event. sor listings! Delegate gift tickets may not be purchased separately. Badges must be worn at all Special thanks to Mobile Town Guide events and are required for entry into the for helping to provide this service. 4 5 GENERAL INFORMATION GENERAL INFORMATION GMA Resource Area Sunday afternoon. Vendors will not be mail- Interested in learning more about the var- ing door prizes. Remember to visit the Exhibit ious GMA services available to your city? Hall and thank our exhibitors for being with us Stop by the GMA Resource Area, located in as their exhibit fee helps keep the registration the rotunda. Staff members will be avail- fee down for our attendees. able throughout the convention to provide information and answer your questions. Healthy Lifestyle Exhibit Local Government Risk Management Ser- Dress vices (LGRMS) is hosting a Healthy Lifestyle Dress for all events during the convention exhibit during the convention to highlight is casual. Meeting rooms are cool, so dress the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. appropriately. Come by the LGRMS booth in the Exhibit Hall for your free massage and to learn about im- Refund Policy portant health and safety issues. Full refunds were given for cancellations re- ceived before April 10. Cancellations submitted Shuttle Transportation between April 10 and before May 25 were as- “Visit Savannah” has made special transpor- sessed a $50 cancellation fee. No refunds will tation arrangements to accommodate you. be given for cancellations made after May 25. Please consult the schedule board at your hotel or pick up a schedule at the welcome Exhibit Hall desk at the Trade and Convention Center. With more than 200 exhibitors participat- ing, the Exhibit Hall provides a great oppor- Parking tunity to learn more about a wide range of The Savannah International Trade and products and services available to your city. Convention Center has 1500 parking spaces. The Exhibit Hall will be open during the Parking is free to GMA guests. following hours: Saturday, June 23 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Hotels & Telephone Numbers (912 area code) Sunday, June 24 8:30 am - 1:30 pm Please be respectful of our exhibitors, as they Andaz 233-2116 are here to do business. All children must be B Historic Savannah (888)662-4683 accompanied by an adult while in the Exhibit Comfort Suites 629-2001 Hall. Everyone, including children, must have Courtyard by Marriott 790-8287 a name badge to enter the Exhibit Hall. Embassy Suites 721-6900 Fairfield Inn and Suites 236-1777 Exhibitor Door Prizes Hampton Inn (Bay St.) 231-9700 Some exhibitors will be giving away door priz- Hampton Inn (Oglethorpe St.) 721-1600 es. Instead of announcing the winners, exhib- Holiday Inn Express (Bay St.) 231-9000 itors will place a form on the Message Board Holiday Inn (Bryan St.) 790-1000 located in the front of the Exhibit Hall on the Hotel Indigo 236-4440 100 aisle. It will be the responsibility of the ex- Hyatt Regency 238-1234 hibitors to post the winners’ names and the re- Marriott Riverfront 233-7722 sponsibility of the attendees to check the Mes- Residence Inn 233-9996 sage Board. All winners will be posted on the Staybridge Suites 721-9000 Message Board by 1:00 pm on Sunday. Door The Brice 238-1200 prizes must be picked up prior to 1:30 pm on Westin 201-2000 6 7 GENERAL INFORMATION SPONSORS Notes Presenting Sponsor u Georgia Power Platinum Sponsors u The Coca Cola Company u Gas South u ThingTech Gold Sponsors u Consolidated Pipe Supply u Elarbee Thompson Sapp & Wilson, LLP u USBank Silver Sponsors u Alston and Bird, LLP u Charles Abbott Associates, Inc. u Coleman and Talley u Davenport & Company, LLC. u Gallagher Bassett u Georgia Apartment Association u Georgia Cable Association u Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG Power) u New South Construction Company u Nichols, Cauley & Associates, LLC u Springsted Bronze Sponsors u Turnipseed Engineers, Inc. u Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia 8 GENERAL INFORMATION SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Follow the conversation: #gacities 11 Schedule of Events Friday, June 22 Schedule of Events Friday, June 22 Friday, June 22 5:15 pm – 6:30 pm Board of Directors’ Meeting 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Chatham A Registration Presiding 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Dorothy Hubbard Municipal Training Institute Mayor, Albany – GMA President Course descriptions can be found in the Convention mobile app, training brochure or on the GMA website.