Noon – 6 pm

AWC Registration Kiosk open

12:30 – 3:30 pm

Joint Transportation Committee meeting
Each year, the Joint Transportation Committee (JTC) holds its June meeting in conjunction with AWC’s Annual Conference, to hear from city leaders and others about the region’s transportation needs, challenges, opportunities, and successes. Take this opportunity to attend the meeting, learn from the wide range of presentations, including from all four of the Quad Cities, and connect with the state’s legislative leaders in transportation. Find the full meeting agenda here.

The JTC is a bipartisan, bicameral legislative agency that conducts transportation related studies and other activities to inform state and local government policymakers. It consists of the chairs, ranking members and other members of the House and Senate Transportation Committees, and non-partisan staff.

1 – 5 pm

Exhibitor move-in

1 – 4 pm

Pre-conference sessions

Registration for pre-conference sessions is required. The price for pre-conference sessions is included in the full Annual Conference registration fee. Please note that there is a cancellation/no-show fee of $25 for pre-conference sessions.

Collaborative leadership training with the Ruckelshaus Center | Register now!
This session, led by Dr. Julia Carboni of the William D. Ruckelshaus Center, will provide city elected officials and staff with an overview of the collaborative leadership skills needed to tackle real-world challenges. Learn how to move from hierarchical to collaborative leadership and frame discussions around interests instead of positions.

Mayor as CEO: Mastering your role as the city's executive | Register now!
Designed exclusively for mayors in mayor-council governments, this session’s content will help you better navigate your role as the city's executive. Gather with other mayors for a deep dive on roles and responsibilities between the executive (mayor’s office) and legislative (council) branches, and explore challenges and opportunities for leading your city staff. Registration for this pre-conference session is limited to mayors in the mayor-council form of government.

Short Course on Local Planning | Register now!
This course, presented by the Department of Commerce, provides a practical overview of land use planning in Washington state to help you gain the knowledge and skills needed to excel in your role. Build a solid foundation in comprehensive planning and plan implementation under the Growth Management Act.

1 – 5 pm

Pre-conference mobile tour

Registration for pre-conference sessions is required. The price for pre-conference sessions is included in the full Annual Conference registration fee. Please note that there is a cancellation/no-show fee of $25 for pre-conference sessions.

Hanford Site: U.S. Department of Energy tour | Registration closed
The U.S. Department of Energy is responsible for one of the largest nuclear cleanup efforts in the world, managing the legacy of five decades of nuclear weapons production. Come explore the 580-square-mile Hanford Site, which was the primary producer of plutonium for national defense for over 40 years. After significant risk-reduction work along the Columbia River, Hanford is now set to treat millions of gallons of radioactive and chemical waste from large underground tanks for disposal.

Registration for this mobile tour is limited to mayors and councilmembers who can meet the below requirements:

• Citizenship verification: All tour participants must present an eligible form of ID to validate citizenship, such as a Washington state enhanced driver license or U.S. passport (full list of eligible ID will be provided after registration). Participants must also provide valid photo identification on the day of the tour.
• Dress code: Participants will be required to wear appropriate attire for an industrial site including pants, footwear that fully encloses the foot, and expanded PPE to be provided, if necessary.
• Physical activity: The tour may involve walking short distances outdoors on dirt, gravel, and uneven surfaces, as well as ascending multiple flights of stairs in facilities, and moving in and out of a vehicle.

4:30 – 5:30 pm

First-time attendee meet and greet
Gather for an informal meet and greet and reception before heading to the President’s Welcome Reception. Meet with other first-time Annual Conference attendees, members of the AWC Board of Directors, and AWC Past Presidents.

5:30 – 7 pm

President's Welcome Reception
Meet new colleagues from across the state and re-engage with old friends. Our members frequently remark that the networking at Annual Conference can’t be beat—so welcome all, and let the networking begin!

Light appetizers. Dinner on your own.

6:30 am – 6 pm

AWC Registration Kiosk open

7:30 am – 4 pm

Exhibit Hall open
Explore our vibrant Exhibit Hall and meet our diverse and knowledgeable exhibitors! Learn about their latest products, services, and exciting solutions.

7:30 – 8:30 am

Networking breakfast

8:30 – 9:30 am

Concurrent sessions

AI for beginners

Adopting comprehensive plans and managing growth

Developing positive police department culture

Finding your people: Exploring affinity groups at AWC

Funding models for fire service

9:30 – 11:30 am

Mobile tour

Wastewater win: Tour of the Kennewick treatment plant’s biosolids upgrade project

9:30 – 10 am

Exhibit break

10 – 11:15 am

Concurrent sessions

The energy grid of tomorrow

Exploring revenues and revenue options

Small cities roundtable

Strategies to combat food insecurity

Those most in need: Addressing your vulnerable residents

11:15 – 11:45 am

Exhibit break

11:45 am – 1:30 pm

Opening general session, welcome, Parade of Flags, and city awards recognition

Keynote: Kate O'Neill, KO Insights
Digital innovator, chief executive, business writer, and globally recognized speaker Kate O’Neill shares her expertise on navigating digital transformation, the impacts of AI, and how to keep our human connection to our residents.

Lunch provided.

1:30 – 2 pm

Dessert and exhibit break

1:45 – 4:30 pm

Mobile tour

Registration for pre-conference sessions is required. The price for pre-conference sessions is included in the full Annual Conference registration fee. Please note that there is a cancellation/no-show fee of $25 for pre-conference sessions.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory mobile tour | Register now!
Founded in 1965, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is operated by Battelle and supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy. PNNL draws on its distinguishing strengths in chemistry, Earth sciences, biology and data science to advance scientific knowledge and address challenges in energy resiliency and national security. Leadership from PNNL will provide a brief overview and a tour of the Grid Storage Launchpad and the Electricity Infrastructure Operations Center.

Registration for this mobile tour is limited to those who can meet the below requirements:

• All participants who are U.S. citizens or foreign nationals must register by June 8.  PNNL will send each attendee an Access & Visitor Badging Request Form via email.
• Citizenship verification: All tour participants who are U.S. citizens must present an eligible form of ID to validate citizenship, such as a Washington state enhanced driver license or U.S. passport (full list of eligible ID will be provided after registration).
• All participants must also provide valid photo identification on the day of the tour.
• Dress code: Close-toed, flat shoes are required.
• Physical activity: The tour will involve walking short distances both within and between facilities.

Due to space limitations and strict deadlines for appropriate documents, a waitlist will be offered for this tour once capacity is met. You are encouraged to register for the waitlist if the tour is full.

2 – 4:15 pm

Mobile tour

Planning for economic development and growth: Economic development in Kennewick’s Southridge and Ridgeline areas

2 – 3 pm

Concurrent sessions

Engaging young leaders: Youth councils and other programs

Exploring the needs of small, rural communities

Infrastructure funding opportunities and challenges

Social media and First Amendment rights

Strategies for countering gang crime

3 – 3:30 pm

Exhibit break

3:30 – 4:30 pm

Concurrent sessions

Downtown revitalization strategies and creating a sense of place

Finding and managing outside funding with limited staff resources

How to create a culture of belonging

Maximizing AI at city hall

Wrestling with tight budgets and considerations for budget cuts and revenues

4:40 – 5:30 pm

Roundtable sessions

City managers

Clerks, department heads, and other city staff

Councilmembers

Mayors in council-manager cities

Mayors in mayor-council cities

Mayors pro tem/Deputy mayors/Council presidents

New and newer councilmembers (joined council since fall 2023)

5:30 – 7 pm

Exhibit Reception
Gather in the Exhibit Hall to network with your colleagues and vendors.

Light appetizers, exhibitor prizes, and hosted bar. Dinner on your own.

6 am – 5:30 pm

AWC Registration Kiosk open

6:30 – 8 am

Wellness activity: AWC Fun Run and Walk
Lace up your sneakers and hit the sidewalks for this Annual Conference tradition!

7 – 10:45 am

Exhibit Hall open
This is your last chance to explore our vibrant Exhibit Hall and meet our fantastic exhibitors!

7:30 – 8:30 am

Networking breakfast

8:30 – 10:15 am

General session

Economic outlook
Chris Mefford, Community Attributes, Inc.
Gain insights about statewide, national, and global economic trends that could affect your residents, businesses, and budgets from economist and President & CEO of Community Attributes, Inc., Chris Mefford. Topics include labor market trends, statewide economic indicators, inflation, global trade, and more. This data-driven look at our economy, focusing on Washington state and city-specific analysis, will leave you better prepared to navigate our ever-evolving economic landscape. Known for his thoughtful approach to community and economic development, Mefford’s work has supported dozens of cities as well as other public and private sector clients by transforming complex data into actionable insights.

Building better policy through collaborative leadership
Dr. Julia Carboni, Ruckelshaus Center

10:15 – 10:45 am

Exhibit break

10:45 – 11:45 am

Concurrent sessions

Ask MRSC

Preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Strategic planning for infrastructure

Updates from the other Washington

What’s new at the Criminal Justice Training Commission

11:45 am – Noon

Break

Noon – 1 pm

AWC Center for Quality Communities fundraising lunch
Join us as we honor this year’s scholarship recipients and continue our efforts to raise funds that nurture young community members to take on new leadership roles.

1 – 1:30 pm

Networking break

1:30 – 3:30 pm

Mobile tour

Mobile tour of the Criminal Justice Training Commission’s regional training center in Pasco

1:30 – 2:30 pm

Concurrent sessions

All things open meetings

Cities 101 for the community

Cybersecurity threats and resources

Tax Increment Financing: Who is doing it and how it works

Plus one more!

2:30 – 2:45 pm

Break

2:45 – 3:45 pm

Concurrent sessions

Advocacy boot camp

Exploring the landscape for belonging and inclusion programs

How the chair and clerk can get things done

Protecting your critical communications infrastructure

Plus one more!

3:45 – 4 pm

Break

4 – 5:45 pm

AWC Annual Meeting
Enjoy an ice cream break and participate in your association’s Annual Meeting. The agenda includes items such as the election of AWC’s Officers and Board of Directors. If you are a voting delegate, please plan to attend in person or online to cast your vote.

5:45 – 7:30 pm

Evening Reception

8:30 – 10 pm

Late-night Reception

7– 10:30 am

AWC Registration Kiosk open

7:30 – 8:30 am

Networking breakfast

8:30 – 10:30 am

Concurrent sessions

Disaster preparedness and leading through a natural disaster

Showing up with courage and energy!

Jurassic Parliament: Using motions to get out of a pickle

Leveling up your communication skills

10:30 am

Adjourn, safe travels!