Page 25 - Mississippi_Municipalities_V66N4

86TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE
July 24 – 26, 2017 ∙ Biloxi, MS
Our theme was “Signs of a Successful City!,”
and aimed to highlight and celebrate the
characteristics of success that can be found
when local of cials effectively use
innovative, forward-thinking approaches and
engaging methods to improve the quality of
life for their citizens. This year’s conference,
one of the most widely attended in recent
years, attracted nearly 3,000 municipal
elected of cials, municipal employees, state
agency representatives, legislators and
exhibitors. With this year being a municipal election year, MML was excited to welcome many newly elected of cials to the conference as rst-time attendees and designated several CMO classes as especially recommended for newly elected of cials just beginning their terms of service. Many state and federal agencies provided speakers for the 68 different educational sessions that were offered at this year’s conference, including the Attorney General’s of ce, State Auditor’s of ce, Mississippi Development
Authority, Mississippi Planning and Development Districts and MDEQ, among others. Session topics
2017 SMALL TOWN CONFERENCE October 25 – 26, 2017 ∙ Oxford, MS
The 2017 Small Town Conference theme was “Getting Squared Away,” and followed a “track-based” educational program in which attendees were able to choose one of four educational tracks to follow throughout the conference. The tracks were developed in collaboration with MML’s Small Town Committee, chaired by Mayor Sally Garland of Crystal Springs, in hopes of providing conference attendees the options of following a guided schedule of sequential classes which each built upon previous information to conclude with a deeper understanding of the respective topics. In addition to a general information track, the three main areas of study were on the topics of disaster/crisis response, economic development, and sprucing up your community.
GETTiNG SqUARED AWAY!
2017 SmallTownConferenCe october 25-26
oxford Conference Center oxford,mS
included state law updates, grant writing, community health initiatives, municipal liability issues, community
Platinum Level
and economic development, retail development, disaster recovery, and water and sewer issues. The
conference featured a keynote address from Darienne Mobley, President of Darienne Inc., a Coaching and
Consulting Company. Other conference highlights included the appointment of the MML 2017-2018 2nd Vice
President Mayor Billy Hewes of Gulfport; the election of the MML 2017-2018 President Mayor Les Childress
Charter Road Hospitality / City of Oxford / Crews & Associates, Inc. ofFlora;recognitionofthe2017graduatesoftheCerti edMDunciacni-pWailliaOmfs , Incci.a/lG(CraMduaOte)Hportoelg/rOaxmfor;dtChoenfeprreencseeCnetnate-r
tion of the 2017 Municipal Excellence Awards; the induction ceremony for the 2017 Municipal Hall of Fame;
the 9th Annual Youth Track; and the annual exposition show, which showcased over 200 busineMsisDes- ,WsitaNtTeE R
agencies and other organizations.
Track 2 - economic DeveLoPmenT
THE MML GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES OUR SMALL TOWN CONFERENCE SPONSORS
Gold Level
The Policy Center / Visit Oxford
EDUCATiONAL TRACKS 2018
Track 1 - DisasTer/crisis resPonse
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Attendees of this track will learn what steps they can take to set realistic goals and create an environment that encourages economic growth.
Track 3 - sPrucinG uP Your communiTY
These sessions will show attendees how to evaluate and improve the appearance of their community.
Track 4 - GeneraL
These sessions cover a variety of topics that will assist local leaders as they make decisions that benefit their community.
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prepare for and successfully respond to a disaster or crisis.
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LEGiSLATivE CONFERENCE
Hotel room blocks open
monDaY, ocTober 30TH
aT 9am
registration can be completed onLine by visiting mmlonline.com/conferences
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Volume 66 • Number 4
Mississippi Municipalities • 25
2016 | 2017 ANNUAL REPORT