Register today for the 2021 Florida League of Cities Legislative Conference.
The event will be held November 3-5, 2021 at the Embassy Suites Orlando - Lake Buena Vista South.
Florida League of Cities President Phillip Walker, commissioner of the City of Lakeland, will preside over the conference where he will rally the membership in support of the League’s 2022 Legislative Action Agenda.
You are essential to the League’s legislative success. Join your municipal colleagues to discuss the latest on the state’s top issues and the status of our legislative priorities, and to share ideas on ways to urge legislators to support Home Rule!
The registration fee for this event is $250 and covers admission to all conference sessions, continental breakfasts, refreshment breaks and Thursday’s luncheon and networking event.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Schedule of Events
Wednesday – November 3, 2021
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Crisis Communications for Mayors: How to Serve as the Spokesperson for Your Community in a Crisis
Using the Surfside condo collapse disaster as an example, this workshop will look behind the scenes at crisis management. You’ll hear from members of the contracted crisis management team who worked with the Town of Surfside during the first thirty days after the building’s collapse. Mayors will learn how to better prepare for a major disaster, about funding mechanisms and the media attention and public scrutiny that always follow. Read about the speakers here.
Pre-registration required; mayors only please.
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Finding Unity in Division
Today Americans seem as deeply and broadly divided as the opposite rims of the Grand Canyon. How can public leaders find unity with their colleagues, their staff and their constituents against this backdrop? Focusing on what unites most of us and best practices for persuasion, we'll strengthen our ability to bring our communities together even in these trying times.
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Florida League of Mayors Reception
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Florida Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials Reception
Thursday – November 4, 2021
7:30 a.m.
Coffee Service
7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Registration Desk Open
8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
First-Time Attendees' Orientation
If you are newly elected, appointed or just new to the Florida League of Cities, this workshop is designed for you! You’ll hear about the League’s membership, structure, the advocacy program, and why the annual Legislative Conference is so important. Materials will be available to help give you an orientation to the FLC’s programs and services.
8:45 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Federal Action Strike Team Meeting
8:45 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Positioning Your Municipality Pre- and Post-Disaster
Learn how to build local-level capacity for all phases of emergency management, including preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery, to strengthen your municipality’s resiliency. Understanding disaster planning and response activities that meet the needs of the whole community, and knowing where the gaps are so they can be corrected, is vital to reduce disaster risks.
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Navigating the American Rescue Plan
Florida's cities have received their first tranche in ARPA funding. Come join a discussion with municipal practitioners to hear how other cities are planning to spend their funds. League staff will also provide an ARPA update and share helpful resources to help cities navigate this unprecedented funding opportunity.
11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Keynote Luncheon--What Your Residents Think: A Round Up of Public Opinion Polling on Key Issues for Cities
1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Legislative Preview/Joint Legislative Policy Committee Meeting
Everyone is invited to this joint meeting of the legislative policy committees. Hear from the League's legislative team about what legislation has been filed so far and what to expect for the 2022 Legislative Session.
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Working with Your Business Community
Local businesses are the lifeblood of our cities. Come hear from experts about best practices and approaches to use when working with your business community as you adopt policies and ordinances.
3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Issues and Media and Bills, Oh My!
Wondering what big issues will dominate the headlines during the 2022 Legislative Session? Curious how the media landscape has changed? Want to learn how your city can cut through the clutter to have your story heard? Join veteran political reporters Matt Dixon from POLITICO, Dara Kam from the News Service of Florida and Peter Schorsch from FloridaPolitics.com, along with political and communications consultant Steven J. Vancore, to hear the latest on the important issues you need to be prepared for and what to expect this session.
4:45 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Florida League of Cities Board of Directors Meeting
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Networking Event
Friday – November 5, 2021
8:00 a.m.
Coffee Service
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Headshot Photo Station
8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Registration Desk Open
8:45 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Advocacy Committee Meeting
8:45 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
The Florida Race to Zero: Cities Racing Toward Carbon Neutrality
Scientists believe (and the vast majority of Americans now agree) that we must dramatically reduce our carbon output in the coming decades if we hope to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change. Florida’s cities are leading the effort to overcome this profound challenge. Ten Florida municipalities have joined a friendly competition to meet that challenge by “racing” toward carbon neutrality, or net-zero carbon emissions, before 2050. Find out how to join the race. Topics will include a discussion of the external resources available to elected officials and city staff, how cities can create an inventory of their carbon footprint, how municipalities use those inventories to create an action plan, and examples of high-impact ways to immediately begin reducing your carbon footprint.
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
General Session: Amplify Your Advocacy; 13 Ways to Kill Your Community; Charge to Delegates
Amplify Your Advocacy: Learn from the Pros on Effectively Communicating with Legislators
This portion of the general session will provide hands-on, effective advocacy techniques to discuss issues competently with policymakers while working within the legislative process. Whether a newcomer or long-serving advocate, don’t miss this fun, interactive opportunity to learn from the pros on effective lobbying strategies.
Keynote Presentation: 13 Ways to Kill Your Community
In this presentation, popular community strategist and author Doug Griffiths offers valuable lessons on what makes the difference between a prospering community and a failing one. Based on his bestselling book, 13 Ways to Kill Your Community, this presentation is sometimes startling and often revelatory. Doug’s passion shines through in this keynote. He makes every audience member feel as if he was speaking directly to them about their community. His anecdotes deliver both wit and wisdom to challenge audiences, and he can help you be more confident in your role in creating a stronger community!
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Continuing Education in Ethics: Have Your Completed Your Hours?
Florida’s municipal elected officers are required to take four specific hours of continuing education in ethics per year. If you haven’t completed your hours, this is your opportunity! The four hours include two hours on the Florida Ethics Law (Chapter 112, F.S.), one hour of public meetings (Chapter 286, F.S.) and one hour of public records (Chapter 119, F.S.).
NOTE: This class will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. No pre-registration will be accepted, and the room will be filled in order of arrival.
* Schedule subject to change
Hotel Information
The 2021 Legislative Conference will be held at the Embassy Suites Orlando - Lake Buena Vista South, located at 4955 Kyngs Heath Road in Kissimmee. The group rate is $154/night and all reservations include a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast and complimentary reception. Self-parking is $13.00/day. Due to COVID-19, the hotel may have some limitations on services. Complete reservation instructions will be sent with your registration confirmation.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be emailed to Melanie Howe by 5:00 p.m., Friday, October 22 to receive a full refund of registration fees. Refunds will not be issued until after the conference and no refunds will be issued for early departure.