May 21, 2025

AWC Annual Conference: Don’t miss these keynote speakers
June 24-27 | Kennewick
Kick off your summer in the sunny Tri-Cities with over 400 municipal leaders from across Washington at the 2025 AWC Annual Conference! Check out the full session lineup, including two new featured keynote speakers announced this week. Digital innovator, chief executive, and business writer Kate O’Neill will provide her expertise on navigating digital transformation, the impacts of AI, and how to keep our human connection to our residents. And Chris Mefford, economist and President & CEO of Community Attributes, Inc., will share his valuable insights into economic trends that could affect your residents, businesses, and budgets. Register by May 27 to get the early bird rate!

Take an exclusive tour of PNNL at Annual Conference!
June 25 | Kennewick
There’s still space on the mobile tour of the cutting-edge Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see firsthand how the PNNL is advancing scientific discovery and addressing challenges in energy resiliency and national security. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour from PNNL leadership of the Grid Storage Launchpad and the Electricity Infrastructure Operations Center. Registration deadline is May 29. Save your spot now! Check out the Annual Conference schedule to learn about more mobile tour options to explore local innovations in economic development, wastewater management, and criminal justice training.

NLC City Summit 2025: Get the early bird rate through June 1
November 20-22 | Salt Lake City, UT
The National League of Cities' (NLC) City Summit brings together cities from across the nation to expand their professional networks and learn about the latest trends and issues affecting local governments. Build your leadership skills as you gain proven strategies to support the work you are doing in your community. Register by June 1 to get the early bird rate!

Small City Connectors are coming your way! (Plus: SAO fraud prevention training)
May 29 | Dayton
May 30 | Chewelah
June 11 | Granger
Connect over a meal with other leaders from your region, share experiences, and exchange insights on the unique needs of our smaller cities. AWC staff will be on hand to provide program updates and share resources for small cities. For those interested in expanding their knowledge further, join the optional morning training session (at the same location) with staff from the State Auditor's Office. This in-depth session will provide critical insights into understanding and preventing fraud in local government. Learn more about these events and register for one or both!

ballot-box-art-150 Send your city's voting delegates to the AWC Annual Meeting
Mark your calendar for AWC's Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 26. This important meeting takes place in Kennewick in conjunction with our Annual Conference. Your city can designate up to three voting delegates to vote on candidates for the Board of Directors and on two proposed amendments to the AWC bylaws. Contact Betsy Hildreth with questions.

Represent cities at the state level: Apply to serve on a state board or advisory council
AWC is recruiting city elected officials and select staff to serve on various boards and councils at the state level. View all opportunities or click on individual committees below for details. The application deadline is May 22.

Building Code Council (city elected official)
Public Works Board (city elected official)
Puget Sound Partnership Ecosystem Coordination Board (city elected official from a city near the Puget Sound basin)
Washington State Board of Health (city elected official)
Select Committee on Pension Policy (city manager, administrator, or finance director)
LEOFF Plan 2 Retirement Board (city manager, administrator, or finance director)
Capital Projects Advisory Review Board (senior city staff)

Other news & resources

In honor of Public Works Week, May 18-24, NLC explores the role of infrastructure in housing development. More

The family of former House Speaker Frank Chopp invites all of his city friends and colleagues to celebrate his life and legacy at a public event in Bellevue on June 1. Register by May 26. More

Let Commerce know how the agency is doing: Don’t miss this opportunity to provide the new agency director with feedback on how Commerce is serving your city. The survey closes at the end of May. More

Join AWC and our state and federal partners for an update call on the status of federal funding and other federal issues impacting cities and towns. Monday, June 2, at 8:30 am (for city members only). Register now.

Public Works Board opens $115 million for local infrastructure funding. Attend an online workshop in early June and apply by August 8. More

Weigh in on AWC’s 2026 legislative agenda—complete this survey by June 5. More

Need a bit more time for the Salary and Benefit Survey? The final deadline to submit data has been extended to June 6. See if your city has already completed this year’s survey and reach out to AWC staff if you have questions. More

Know of someone retiring? Honor them with AWC’s civic service recognition by June 6. More

Help shape the 2025 State Rail Plan: WSDOT seeks feedback as it develops strategies for improving freight and passenger rail. Attend an online open house by June 24 to review key information and share your thoughts through a public survey. More

From NLC: What Congress needs to hear from cities for the next transportation bill. More

Behind closed doors: MRSC examines recent cases addressing requirements for executive sessions during special meetings. More

Stay up to date with AWC through social media!
Whether you're looking for the details of upcoming conferences and meetings, legislative updates, eLearning opportunities, thought-provoking articles, or photos of your peers from across the state, AWC's social media channels are the starting point for the content you crave. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram for updates and information with real value to your role and your city or town.

AWC trainings & events

D&A: Supervisor training | Multiple dates | Multiple locations

AWC: 2025 legislative session recap (AWC city members only) | May 22 | Online

AWC: Small City Connectors | Multiple dates | Multiple locations

May 29 | Dayton
May 30 | Chewelah
June 11 | Granger

AWC: Preventing fraud in local government | Multiple dates | Multiple locations

May 29 | Dayton
May 30 | Chewelah
June 11 | Granger

AWC: Federal issues & funding update (AWC city members only) | June 2 | Online

AWC: 2025 Annual Conference | June 24-27 | Kennewick

AWC: Elected Officials Essentials webinar series | Multiple dates | Online

September 10 | Understanding Washington’s ethics laws
November 12 | Comprehending quasi-judicial hearings

Other trainings & events

MRSC: Tools for wildfire preparation and response | May 28 | Online

MRSC: Digging into public works fundamentals | May 29 | Sequim

NLC: Federal budget legislation update and impact to local governments | June 3 | Online

MRSC: Navigating public works contract payments (East) | June 3 | Spokane

MRSC: Navigating public works contract payments (West) | June 10 | Seattle

NLC: 2025 City Summit | November 20-22 | Salt Lake City (Register by June 1 for early bird rate!)

State Archives: Records management workshops | Multiple dates | Online

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