June 10-11, 2024
Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center
1 Partnership Circle, Abingdon, VA 24210
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED FOR THIS EVENT
To be added to the wait list, please email Keyara Johnson, kjohnson@vml.org
About | Presentations | Fee Information | Location | Lodging | Agenda & Bios
About
The first ever Small Towns Conference will provide an overview of topics related to local government management specifically geared towards small town issues. Topics include local town governance, placemaking and economic development, strategic planning for small communities, housing development in towns, legal issues in local government, and financial strategy for small towns. Highlights include a legislative update from the Virginia Municipal League, a case study on small town financial planning and a regional economic activity and analysis.
This conference invites elected officials including council members and mayors, town managers, leadership staff to join the first ever Small Towns Conference. Ample time for networking and sharing resources and ideas will be planned throughout the conference.
Presentations
A Brief, Incomplete Outline on Town/County Relations for Town Leaders
Michael W.S. Lockaby
FOIA for Small Town Leaders
Larry Spencer and Mike Lockaby
Defining Local Government Financial Capacity
Stephanie Dean Davis
Placemaking for Community Change
Melody Warnick
Strategic Planning
Stephanie Dean Davis
The Foundations of Good Governance
Kimball Payne
Financial Strategies for Small Towns - Case Study: Town of Hillsville, Virginia
Stephanie Davis, Kyle Laux, and LeAnna Surratt
Values-Based Leadership
Michael Gallagher
Fee Information
Early Registration Fee: $175.00
Standard Registration Fee (after 5/21/24): $225.00
The registration fee includes:
- Conference materials
- Continental breakfast, lunch, and breaks on June 10
- Reception the evening of June 10 at the Southwest Virginia Cultural Arts Center and Marketplace
- Continental breakfast and morning break on June 11
REGISTER HERE >
Location
- The conference will be held at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center (1 Partnership Circle, Abingdon, VA 24210)
- The evening reception on June 10 at the Southwest Virginia Cultural Arts Center and Marketplace (One Heartwood Circle, Abingdon, VA 24210)
Lodging
The Martha Washington Inn (150 W Main St A, Abingdon, VA 24210)
Guests are welcome to call the front desk at 276-628-3161 ext. 1 and make reservations under the block rate of $200 per night. Just mention the Small Town Conference to receive the block rate.
Agenda & Speaker Bios