The Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) will hold its annual convention and celebrate its 90^th anniversary at the Savannah Convention Center June 23-27. More than 2400 municipal leaders from around the state of Georgia will gather to unite, grow, learn and network. 

“The Georgia Municipal Association is excited to be back in Savannah for our annual convention and to celebrate our 90^th year of uniting Georgia’s cities, ” said GMA’s CEO & Executive Director Larry Hanson. “Our theme, ‘Soaring to New Heights’ encapsulates the remarkable journey of Georgia’s cities over the past 90 years and the endless possibilities that lie ahead.” 

The convention provides an opportunity for city officials to learn about best practices in municipal government, sharpen their leadership skills, help shape the Association’s legislative policies and build and strengthen relationships through numerous networking opportunities. GMA is the only state organization that represents municipal governments, and all of Georgia’s 537 cities are members. Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, non-profit organization that provides legislative advocacy, educational, employee benefit and technical assistance services to its 537 member cities. 

A few highlights of the convention include:

Friday, June 23

Training Institute at Annual Convention

The Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute, offered through GMA and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, kicks off on Friday.  The institute is offering a total of 46 training classes in conjunction with the 2023 Annual Convention. 

Saturday,

June 24

Policy Committees Meet

GMA members will participate in six policy committee sessions to discuss issues most pressing to Georgia’s cities. The following policy committees will meet: Environment and Natural Resources, Public Safety Policy, Municipal Government, Revenue and Finance, Community Development and Transportation.

Sunday, June 25

Opening General Session

The opening general session will include a keynote address from General (Ret.) Mark A. Welsh III.

Annual Business Meeting

The Annual Business Meeting will include the adoption of the organizations new policies as well as induction of new board members and officers.  

Monday, June 26

Monday General Session

The Monday general session will include remarks from former NASA astronaut Joan Higginbotham. In addition, a panel including DCA Commissioner Christopher Nunn, Seth Millican of the Georgia Chamber, Mayor Bianca Motley Broom and Mayor Lester Miller will discuss the need for more housing options across Georgia and partnerships to incentivize affordable and workforce housing.

Awards Luncheon

The Awards Luncheon will recognize the new Municipal Government Hall of Fame inductees, presentation of the Georgia Cities Foundation’s Renaissance and Starr awards, recognition of the Clerk of the Year, Cities of Civility and new and recertified Cities of Ethics, and presentation of the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute certificates.