2027 CAMA CONFERENCE

HOTEL ROOM BLOCK OPEN

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 AT 12:00 NOON EDT

Hotel room blocks for the 2027 CAMA Conference, June 7–9 in St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador, open on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 12:00 noon EDT.

Special Conference rates are available at the Delta, Hilton Garden Inn, JAG and Alt. Booking links will be emailed directly to members and posted on the CAMA Conference website.

Rooms fill quickly—please book online as soon as the blocks open. JAG reservations must be made using a desktop or laptop.

PREPARING FOR A NEW COUNCIL?

START WITH CAMA’S GOVERNANCE RESOURCES

With municipal elections taking place this Fall and more ahead, now is a good time to revisit the resources available to help CAOs prepare for a successful Council term.

CAMA’s new Council Orientation Toolkit provides a practical framework for planning and delivering meaningful orientation. From role clarity and Council–administration relationships to respectful decision-making, it includes adaptable agendas, checklists, templates and resources to share directly with elected officials. It is also valuable for mid-term governance check-ins and leadership transitions. Explore the Council Orientation Toolkit.

To complement your orientation planning, Leading Effective Council Meetings: A Practical Guide for Mayors & Chairs offers guidance on meeting preparation, procedural integrity and managing challenging discussions. Its companion Chair’s Quick Reference Toolkit includes scripts, checklists and tools for use before, during and after meetings.

Explore the Guide and Chair’s Quick Reference Toolkit

Whether you are welcoming a new Council or supporting your current one, consider sharing these resources with your Mayor or Chair and municipal clerk to help establish clear expectations and strengthen governance throughout the Council term. Visit the toolkit here.

CAMEA CELEBRATES SUCCESSFUL 2026 NATIONAL CONFERENCE AND REMARKABLE MEMBERSHIP GROWTH

The Canadian Association of Municipal Executive Assistants (CAMEA) recently wrapped up its 2026 National Conference, held October 4–6 in Calgary, Alberta, bringing together 240 executive assistants and administrative professionals from municipalities across Canada for three days of learning, networking, and professional development. Launched by CAMA in January 2026 to strengthen professional development, connections, and national representation for municipal administrative professionals, CAMEA has experienced remarkable growth, reaching 450 members from every Province and Territory in just nine months!

Under the theme "Empowering Executive Assistants for Tomorrow", the Conference featured engaging keynote speakers, interactive workshops, valuable networking opportunities, and memorable social events, all designed to recognize and support the important role administrative professionals play in municipal government.

As part of the opening ceremonies, delegates were treated to a special video (below) celebrating CAMEA's journey from an idea to a thriving national community. We invite CAMA members to watch the video below and see how this exciting initiative continues to grow.

We also invite you to explore the 2026 CAMEA Conference Highlights document, showcasing the memorable moments, learning opportunities, and connections that made this year's event such a success.

CAMA is proud of CAMEA's tremendous progress and looks forward to continuing to support this growing national community of municipal administrative professionals.

INTACT CLIMATE RESILIENCE GRANTS:

APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

Is your municipality ready to take action to reduce wildfire or flood risk? Intact’s Climate Resilience Grants program is now accepting applications, offering up to $225,000 per project to help municipalities and Indigenous communities across Canada strengthen their resilience. The program supports practical, implementation-ready climate adaptation projects focused on reducing wildfire and flood risk—a valuable opportunity to turn community resilience plans into action.

Applications close December 18, 2026. Learn more about the program and how to apply.

SUPPORTING YOUR CLERK'S WORK:

 ESCRIBE LAUNCHES AI MINUTES

Preparing clear, accurate meeting minutes takes time and careful review. For municipal clerks and staff responsible for documenting Council and committee meetings, much of that work continues long after the meeting ends.

eScribe’s new AI Minutes feature is designed to provide a head start. Using the meeting transcript, it creates a first draft organized by agenda item and aligned with your municipality’s existing minutes style.

Built directly into eScribe’s meeting management workflow, the feature allows staff to review, edit and refine each section. Professional judgment remains essential, with staff determining what becomes part of the official record.

Please forward this information to your municipal clerk and staff responsible for preparing meeting minutes. Explore AI Minutes and request a demonstration.

WANT STRONGER TEAM DISCUSSIONS?

BE THE LAST TO SPEAK

As a CAO, your words carry weight—and when you share them can shape the conversation. In this short video, Simon Sinek explores how listening before offering your own perspective gives others space to contribute. A practical reminder for your next leadership team meeting: ask questions, stay curious and let others speak first.

Watch: Be the Last to Speak

Vanessa Vandermeer, Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Didsbury, AB

Dave Little, Chief Administrative Officer, Rural Municipality of La Broquerie, MB

Kimberly Watson, Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Faro, YT

Billie Jean Oliver, Chief Administrative Officer, Rural Municipality of St. Laurent, MB

Heather Collier, Chief Administrative Officer, Village of Broderick, SK

Lisa MacDonald, Chief Administrative Officer, Town of New Glasgow, NS

Mark Humphries, Chief Administrative Officer, Rural Municipality of Elton, MB

Lisa Smith, Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Grand Bay-Westfield, NB

Cheri Anderson, Director, Corporate Services, Peterborough County, ON

Tricia Hercina, Executive Director, The City of Red Deer, AB

Leah Bloomquist, Director of Corporate Services, City of Martensville, SK

Stephanie Hossack, CCO l Principal Strategist of Transformation, City of Saint John, NB