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Dear Friends of ILG,
Local government conferences happen year round, but the busy annual conference season is upon us! Conferences, trainings, and events provide fantastic opportunities for our leaders to step outside their everyday responsibilities, gain new tools and perspectives, and bring fresh ideas back to their communities.
Team ILG is excited to lead a number of workshops and sessions on topics like how to have productive council meetings, how to strengthen your public engagement, upskilling and reskilling your staff through registered apprenticeships, and navigating the impact of AI in public meetings. We will use these opportunities to share promising practices and create space for you to connect with colleagues who are tackling many of the same challenges as you in different places.
We will also be sprinkling in a number of online webinars and trainings for those of you who cannot attend conferences in person, or just want to continue to learn. This month, we are kicking that off with our popular Meeting Mastery Training, followed by webinars on financial management, workforce retention strategies, and resident academies, with more to come!
We are committed to supporting you as local government leaders and want to continue to create opportunities for public servants to learn with and from one another. I’m often struck by how many fantastic ideas emerge through conversations, shared experiences, and the practical wisdom of peers. ILG’s approach has always been to balance academic research with what we’re seeing on the ground in your cities, counties, and special districts.
We know that California’s communities are stronger when their local governments are learning together. We hope you’ll take advantage of some of the many upcoming opportunities to learn, connect, and bring those insights home - and we look forward to connecting with you soon!
With appreciation,
Erica L. Manuel
CEO & Executive Director
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What Happens After Election Day?
This past month, ILG led a two-hour “From Election to Governance” workshop in Santa Barbara for more than 25 city managers focused on a practical question: How can cities prepare now for effective governance after Election Day?
Together, we explored ways to strengthen onboarding for new councilmembers and mayors, refresh governance practices with returning officials, clarify roles and expectations, and set the stage for productive relationships between elected leaders and staff.
The takeaway was simple: good governance takes some planning. Every city, county, or special district has its own culture, personalities, and challenges, but being intentional about leadership transitions can make a real difference in how quickly a new or returning council gets down to the business of governing.
ILG works directly with cities and other local agencies to customize this kind of support. Whether you’re preparing for newly elected officials, refreshing an existing council or board, or looking to strengthen elected-staff relationships, we can help you build an approach that fits your organization.
A big thank you to Cal Cities for inviting ILG to lead the session and to the 25+ city managers who brought their experience, candor, and ideas to the conversation.
Interested in bringing a governance tune-up to your jurisdiction? Contact ILG to learn more about our customized Leadership & Governance support.
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Training: Rethink Your 2026 Public Meeting & Workshop Approach with ILG's Meeting Mastery Training
Wednesday and Thursday,
September 16-17, 2026
10AM – 3PM each day, via Zoom
Public engagement is often a crucial (and, sometimes, mandated) part of local government projects. As your agency implements its priorities for 2026, you are likely scheduling community meetings, workshops, committees, and focus groups.
But we know public meetings can be a challenge to plan and run. At ILG, we want to help make your 2026 public engagement efforts a positive and fruitful part of your projects. Our Meeting Mastery facilitation skills and meeting design training has been specifically designed and tailored to meet the needs of local government staff responsible for leading community engagement efforts.
With our training, you’ll be empowered to hold successful meetings that promote inclusive and constructive conversations that help foster a more connected and engaged community. Register today to save your spot!
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Webinars Series: Leading Through the Fiscal Cliff
As California communities face budget shortfalls, economic uncertainty, and increasing demands for public services, local leaders are seeking practical tools and leadership strategies to help them make informed, sustainable decisions.
Through expert presentations and real-world case studies, participants in this webinar series will hear promising practices for fiscal planning, strategic budgeting, governance, and organizational resilience. Sessions will also focus on current and innovative revenue models, best practices in financial management, and a deep dive on how labor costs are impacting budgets statewide.
Whether you are shaping policy, developing budgets, or leading organizational change, this series will provide strategies and examples to help local leaders guide their agencies through fiscal uncertainty while maintaining public trust and delivering essential services. Learn more about the series here.
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Session 1: Strengthening Local Government Financial Management: Strategies for Accountability, Efficiency, and Sustainability
Thursday, Oct 8, 2026
11AM – 12:30PM
Strong financial management is the foundation of effective local government. This webinar explores practical strategies and proven best practices that help California cities, counties, special districts, and other public agencies strengthen financial stewardship, improve transparency, and support long-term fiscal sustainability.
Participants will learn about key financial management principles, including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, internal controls, financial reporting, reserve policies, and long-term financial planning. The session will also highlight approaches for managing fiscal uncertainty, complying with regulatory requirements, and using financial data to support informed decision-making.
Register now!
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Webinar: Retention Without a Raise: Retaining Staff When Compensation Isn't an Option
Wednesday, Oct 14, 2026
10 – 11:30AM
As local governments navigate tighter budgets and ongoing fiscal uncertainty, many agencies are facing the reality that salary increases simply aren’t always an option. Yet the need to retain experienced, high-performing employees has never been greater.
This webinar explores practical strategies that help agencies improve employee retention without relying on compensation increases. Participants will learn how career development, leadership practices, workplace culture, recognition, flexibility, and employee engagement can strengthen retention, even during periods of financial constraint.
Designed for HR professionals, executives, department leaders, and supervisors, this session will provide information that local governments can implement immediately to maintain a committed workforce, reduce turnover, and continue delivering high-quality public services despite budget challenges.
Register here.
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Webinar: Building Trust and Engagement Through Resident Academies
Tuesday, Dec 1, 2026
12:30 - 2PM
Trust in government is a delicate asset, and in an era of high polarization, traditional public comment often feels more like therapy than productive engagement. To build a resilient community, local agencies must move beyond one-way information sharing and invest in deep resident engagement. This webinar explores the strategic blueprint for successful resident academies, and attendees will learn how to move from "just an idea" to a sustainable program that creates a pipeline of informed civic leaders. The session will cover how to curate a curriculum that demystifies complex municipal trade-offs, identify the right "culture-carriers" to lead the sessions, and measure the long-term impact of these programs on community civility and project buy-in.
Register here.
| | ILG FOUNDER & AFFILIATE UPDATES | | |
Registration Open for the 2026 League of California Cities
Annual Conference
September 23-25, 2026
Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
Registration is still open for the 2026 Cal Cities Annual Conference and Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center, Sept. 23-25. The conference will feature inspiring keynote speakers and presentations on key topics for local leaders, plus peer-to-peer sharing with fellow California city officials. The Expo Hall will be brimming with opportunities to engage with organizations that provide essential services to cities. Join Cal Cities as they celebrate new leadership across the organization and consider new policy in the member-driven General Assembly and Resolutions process.
ILG is excited to host two sessions at the conference “Bots, Bulk Comments, and the Brown Act: Managing AI in Public Engagement” and “When the Gavel Drops: Leading Productive and Respectful City Council Meetings” as well as facilitate the state mandated trainings on ethics and harassment prevention. Team ILG will also have a table in the Expo Hall where we look forward to connecting with city leaders from around the state.
Hotel rooms are booking fast. Register today!
The Institute for Local Government is a State Bar of California minimum continuing legal education (MCLE) approved provider and certifies each activity meets the standards for MCLE credit by the State Bar of California in the total amount of 2 hours (general credits). Provider #13881.
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MMANC's Annual Conference: Navigating Change, Leading with Purpose
September 27-30, 2026
Tenaya at Yosemite
After years of navigating crisis after crisis, local government professionals deserve more than another conference. The MMANC Annual Conference can be that reset. Three days. No downtown distractions. Just you, your peers, and the space to step back, think clearly, and invest in yourself. Every session is built around one test: will the person in the seat walk away with something they can use on Monday morning? The Conference officially kicks off with the main session and keynote speaker on Monday, September 28th at 12:00 pm.
ILG is looking forward to hosting a session, “Beyond the Microphone: Inclusive Public Meetings” highlighting public engagement and meeting design strategies and practices. We hope to see you there!
Learn more and register here.
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ICMA Annual Conference
October 17 -21, 2026
Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
Since 1914, the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Annual Conference has been the premier gathering for local government management professionals. It’s where they share and discover new ideas, strategies, resources, and solutions for managing local governments in today’s complex environment.
With four and a half days of learning, inspiration, and connection, attendees will leave equipped with the tools and support they need to make their communities better places to live, work, and play. No other local government management conference offers the same level of programming, exhibitors, or networking opportunities that the ICMA conference provides. The ILG team is excited to attend and facilitate a session on “The Apprenticeship Advantage: Building Tomorrow’s Public Sector Leaders Today.”
Register here.
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MMASC 2026 Annual Conference: Built to Last. Resilient Communities. Courageous Leadership
October 28-30, 2026
Rancho Bernardo Inn
Registration is now open for MMASC’s Annual Conference! This year’s theme "Built to Last: Resilient Communities, Courageous Leadership" is grounded in the work that local leaders do every day, strengthening our communities and leading with courage through change. Additional information on sessions will be released soon!
Register here.
| | ILG PARTNER NEWS, UPDATES & EVENTS | | |
Stay Informed this Fall with BBK's Public Agency Focused Webinar Lineup
Join BBK for a series of timely webinars covering key issues affecting public agencies, housing
professionals and local government practitioners.
Upcoming webinars:
Whether you are looking to stay current on emerging legal developments, strengthen your
agency’s practices or deepen your understanding of California requirements, these webinars offer practical insights from BBK professionals. Click here for more information.
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2026 League of California Cities
Annual Conference Session:
Liability Landscape Update for
California Cities
Thursday, September 24
1 – 2:15PM
Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
California cities are confronting an unprecedented convergence of risk: a hard insurance market, escalating claim costs, changing public sentiment, and the rising frequency of “nuclear verdicts.” Together, these forces are reshaping how local governments manage risk and how they deliver essential public services under public scrutiny. This timely session will give elected officials and city management a practical overview of today’s local government liability environment and what these trends mean for insurance availability and affordability.
Moderator: Thaddeus McCormack, City Manager, Lakewood
Speakers: Rachel Boden, Equity Partner, Behar Gibbs Savage Paulson | Margaret Finlay, President, California Joint Powers Insurance Authority | Alex Smith, CEO, California Joint Powers Insurance Authority
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Inland Deserts Catalyst Convening
October 6, 2026
8:30AM – 5PM
Palm Springs Leisure Center Pavilion
The California Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) and the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) are hosting a series of Catalyst Convenings across the state to help each region advance equitable climate, energy, and land use priorities. Each Convening brings together approximately 150 regional leaders and state agency representatives to highlight regional case studies, share the work of the California Fifth Climate Change Assessment, enable participants to engage directly with state agencies, and to elevate land use, climate and energy priorities.
ILG is looking forward to attending and sharing lessons learned and promising practices from our BOOST Imperial Valley project! Learn more and register here.
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Resilient California Summit
October 20 – 22
SAFE Credit Union Convention Center
Sacramento, CA
The inaugural Resilient California Summit will convene people from across the state to make progress on the policies, partnerships, and practices needed to build resilience as climate change accelerates.
The Summit will feature diverse interactive sessions aimed at fostering conversation, sparking new ideas, and giving attendees the resources and tools they need to be successful in their work and communities. Participants will explore key insights from California’s Fifth Climate Change Assessment, imagine the best possible future that remains within reach, and catalyze the actions needed to turn that vision into reality.
Team ILG will be in attendance and co-hosting a mixer for local government leaders with our partners at CivicWell. Learn and register here.
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