7:30–8:30 a.m.
Coffee Cart • Sponsored by Focused Advocacy
7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Attendee Registration
8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Exhibitor Registration
9:45–10:15 a.m.
Refreshment Break • Sponsored by Schaumburg & Polk, Inc.
10:15 a.m.–Noon
Opening General Session and Presentation of Awards
Never Fly Solo
Lt. Col. Waldo Waldman, Decorated Fighter Pilot
Flying solo? You might think so. But take a good look around. You have support staff, managers, and suppliers. And you have colleagues, consultants, and significant others.
By building trust in your partners, you can overcome obstacles, adapt to change, and achieve success. When you have wingmen, there is no mission you can’t complete!
Through captivating stories, business lessons, and real-world video, Waldo will take you and your team on an unforgettable journey of high performance and excellence in extremely competitive and demanding environments. Be inspired to take to the skies knowing that you have “wingmen” to help you face challenges and change with courage while maximizing potential in all aspects of life.
Read Lt. Col. Waldman’s biography here.
Noon–5:00 p.m.
Exhibit Hall Grand Opening
12:30–1:00 p.m.
Greenhouse Session
1:15–1:45 p.m.
Greenhouse Session • Sponsored by Power Temp Systems
1:45–3:00 p.m.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
2027 Legislative Outlook
The 90th Texas Legislature convenes in January 2027 and the decisions made there will directly shape how your city operates and serves its residents. Join us for an inside look at the issues expected to take center stage, along with insights into how the League and cities across Texas are working together to stay engaged and make their voices heard. You’ll leave better prepared to navigate the session, anticipate impacts, and advocate effectively for your community.
G – This session meets the TML CMO program core competency requirement for governance.
JJ Rocha, Director, Public Policy and Engagement; Rick Ramirez, Director, State and Federal Relations; Mike Martin, Legislative Counsel; and Bill Longley, General Counsel; Texas Municipal League
Meeting Texas’ Water Challenge
Texas cities face growing pressure to secure reliable water supplies amid rapid population growth, recurring drought, aging infrastructure, and increasing demand. Moderated by Jeremy Mazur of Texas 2036, this panel will bring together experts from the Texas Water Development Board, El Paso Water, and the San Antonio Water System to discuss the state’s water outlook, regional and statewide planning efforts, funding opportunities, and innovative approaches to developing new water supplies. Attendees will gain a better understanding of the challenges facing Texas and the strategies being deployed to build a more water-secure future.
Jeremy Mazur, Director of Infrastructure and Natural Resources Policy, Texas 2036
Blurred Lines: When Roles Overlap and How to Fix It
Session courtesy of the Texas Municipal Clerks Association, Inc.
When the roles of the city council, city manager, city attorney, and city secretary begin to overlap, it can lead to confusion, frustration, and potential legal concerns. This session offers a clear overview of each role and its responsibilities under Texas law, while also providing practical guidance for maintaining healthy working relationships and effective communication. Attendees will gain a better understanding of how these roles work together, where boundaries should exist, and how to address challenges in a professional and constructive way to support strong, effective local governance.
G – This session meets the TML CMO program core competency requirement for governance.
Brooks Williams, City Manager, City of Ferris; Aimee Nemer, City Secretary, City of Richardson; Jacob Wheat, Mayor, City of Alvarado; and Art Rodriguez, Attorney, Messer Fort, PLLC
Texas Ten Traits of Good Government
Session courtesy of the Small Cities Advisory Council
This training explores the Texas Ten Traits of Good Government which include Respect, Response, Effectiveness, Transparency, Competence, Ethics, Law, Innovation, Fiscal Management and Soundness, and Accountability of Governance through real-world case studies. Training participants will examine how local governments deliver services, engage citizens, manage budgets, and navigate through emerging issues with city councils and citizens. By combining panel discussions and real-world experiences, the panelists will emphasize practical decision-making for public administrators.
G – This session meets the TML CMO program core competency requirement for governance.
Beyond Public Meetings: Reaching Residents Where They Are
Residents expect more opportunities to engage with their local government, creating a need for outreach strategies that extend beyond the traditional town hall meeting. This session explores practical strategies for connecting with residents where they live, work, and gather, including mobile engagement, pop-up events, neighborhood-based outreach, surveys, and digital tools. Panelists will share lessons learned, discuss ways to reach a broader cross-section of the community, and offer methods for measuring participation and evaluating engagement efforts. You’ll gain insight to help strengthen public involvement, build trust, and enhance community engagement in cities of any size.
Jaylen McKee Rodriguez, Councilmember, City of San Antonio; Alanna Reed, Director, Communications and Engagement, City of San Antonio; Anne Hayden, Director, Communications, San Antonio Water System; and Darlene Pickens, Assistant Director, Communications and Engagement, City of San Antonio (facilitator)
2:00–2:30 p.m.
Greenhouse Session – Presented by Asphalt Zipper, Inc.
2:45–3:15 p.m.
Greenhouse Session – Presented by HdL Companies
3:00–3:30 p.m.
Refreshment Break – Sponsored by Volkert
3:30–4:00 p.m.
Greenhouse Session – Presented by Aqualia – Municipal District Services
3:30–4:45 p.m.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Data Centers and Cities: Understanding the Opportunities, Impacts, and Tradeoffs
Few development issues are generating as much discussion and scrutiny today as data centers, presenting city leaders with complex questions about infrastructure capacity, resource demands, economic benefits, and long-term community impacts. This panel will provide a practical, fact-based look at what city officials need to know as data center proposals emerge in their communities. Panelists will explore common questions surrounding water and energy use, land use compatibility, infrastructure considerations, economic development potential, regulatory approaches, and lessons learned. Whether your city is actively evaluating a proposal or preparing for future conversations, this session will help you better understand the opportunities and challenges associated with data center development.
From Bills to Impact: How Cities Influence Legislation
Session courtesy of the Texas Municipal Clerks Association, Inc.
State legislation can shape how your city operates, funds services, and serves residents often in ways that require quick, informed action. In this session, you’ll learn how tracking legislation and working as a coordinated team can help you stay ahead of bills that impact your community and respond early in the process. You’ll also explore how building strong relationships with your local representatives and senators can elevate your city’s voice, since legislators depend on local officials to understand real-world impacts. By strengthening communication and collaboration with your legislative delegation, you’ll be better positioned to advocate for your community, protect local interests, and influence the policies shaping your city’s future.
G – This session meets the TML CMO program core competency requirement for governance.
Todd Hunter, Texas State Representative; Stephanie Reyes, City Manager, City of San Marcos; Shelley Goodwin, City Secretary, City of Rockport; JJ Rocha, Director, Public Policy and Engagement, Texas Municipal League
Building a Modern Municipal Workforce: What to Champion
Session courtesy of the Texas Municipal Human Resources Association
Attracting and keeping top talent in today’s competitive market takes more than job postings and pay adjustments—it requires a modern, intentional approach to workforce strategy. This session explores practical solutions to recruitment challenges, compensation planning, and retention, while highlighting the critical role councils play in shaping organizational culture and policy. Learn what leading cities are doing to build stronger, more resilient municipal workforces for the future.
Tadd Phillips, Assistant City Manager City of Lewisville; and Cheree Bontrager, Director of Human Resources, City of Allen
Legal Q&A
Meet the TML legal staff and hear the answers to questions you’ve always wanted to have answered in this fun, insightful, and engaging session.
Amber McKeon-Mueller, Director of Legal Services; Tad Cleaves, Assistant General Counsel; Sarah Tompkins, Legal Counsel; Stephanie Huser, Legal Counsel; and Cristian Rosas-Grillet, Legal Counsel, Texas Municipal League
Beyond Books: Measuring the Real Return on Investment in Public Libraries
Session courtesy of the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association
Public libraries deliver far more than traditional services – they drive workforce development, digital inclusion, and community resilience. This interactive session brings together experienced library directors to showcase innovative, evidence-based approaches for measuring and communicating return on investment (ROI), using real-world case studies, tools, and data from the Texas Library Association. Attendees will explore practical strategies to quantify impact, demonstrate value to councils and stakeholders, and make smarter, data-driven funding decisions. You’ll leave with actionable tools, templates, and talking points to better articulate your library’s impact and strengthen support in your community.
Wendy Woodland, Director, Advocacy and Communication, Texas Library Association, John Hayden, Library Director, City of Greenville, Becky McClain, Library Director, City of Santa Fe, Midori Clark, Library Director, City of Fort Worth; and Michelle Cervantes, Library Director, City of Round Rock (facilitator)