Registration
Please read the Registraton Instructions prior to registering to ensure member pricing.
Rooms
- The room block at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott is sold out -
- The Norfolk Sheraton Waterside (777 Waterside Drive Norfolk, VA 23510) is about 1 block from the conference -
Agenda
Get ready for a fantastic Lunch & Closing Section on Tuesday October 10 featuring videos and presentations on the future of air mobility.
Registration Instructions (new for 2023)
With the recent launch of our new site and membership platform, registration for the Mayors Institute and the Annual Conference (and all future VML events) will require an account.
If you have already logged into your account then you are all set to register using your username and password.
If you haven't created an account, now is the time to do it! Here's how:
1. Click the "Login" link in the upper left corner of our website.
2. Click on "Forgot Password" and check to see if your email is already set up in our system by entering your local government or organization email address (i.e., jsmith@townofexample.gov) in both the "Username" and "Email" fields. Then click "Send Login Information."
3. If your email is already in our system, you will receive an email with your temporary password. You can use this to login before registering for the event. Note - VML members will not be able to see VML member pricing if you are not logged in.
4. If you receive an Error message after completing Step 2, you will need to create an account by following these steps:
a. Click on the "Create an Account" link in the upper left corner of our website.
b. Fill out the form (required fields are indicated with a red asterisk).
c. IMPORTANT: If you belong to a VML Member organziation (i.e., Local Government, Community Business Member, or Partner Organization) after you select "Yes, I do belong to an organization" you must use the Search function to locate and select your organization from the search results to receive VML member access and pricing. If you are unable to locate your VML member organziation, DO NOT proceed with creating an account. Instead, send your request to e-mail@vml.org. A staff person will respond as soon as possible.
d. After you've have filled out the form, click "Create an Account" to receive your login credentials.
About the VML Annual Conference
Each fall hundreds of local government officials, speakers and member organization representatives attend the VML Annual Conference. The conference includes:
- General sessions featuring political leaders, nationally-known speakers and local government experts.
- Workshop sessions on a variety of local government issues.
- Business meeting focusing on the adoption of the annual VML legislative program and the election of officers for the upcoming year.
- The presentation of the annual Innovation Awards recognizing excellence in local government programs.
- The opportunity for networking with colleagues from across the state.
Information for Vendors
As of 9/7/2023 all exhibit tables for the 2023 Annual Conference have been reserved.
We are in full conference preparation mode and are working to make this year’s event at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott (Oct. 8-10) a valuable and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Silver, Gold, and Diamond Community Business Member organizations and VML Partners will will have a vendor table and complimentary registrations. Your representatives are welcome to attend any sessions during the event and enjoy the food and beverages available to all.
If you have not already done so, please send the names, titles and email addresses of your representatives to Rob Bullington, rbullington@vml.org.
We will take care of registering them prior to the event. If possible please also provide a headshot and brief bio for each person so we can include that info in our event app.
Regarding the vendor tables: As we have done for the past two years, we will not have a dedicated exhibit hall with booths. Instead, each vendor will have a table in the hallways and foyers outside the session rooms. We have found that this creates more interactions among vendors and our local government members. Each table includes two chairs, draping and power at no extra cost to you. VML staff will assign tables to vendors and will ensure that similar services are not in proximity to each other.
You can check-in and begin setting up your table at 9:00 AM on Sunday, October 8. The registration area will be in the Presidential Foyer (3rd Floor). There will be boxed lunches (available only to vendors) starting at noon behind the registration area. When you check in we will let you know where your table is located. Tables can remain up until the event concludes at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, Oct. 10.
The Opening Session for the conference kicks off at 2:00 PM on Sunday. At 5:30 PM buses will take attendees to the Chrysler Museum of Art for the Host City Night reception. We encourage you to attend Host City Night as well as the VML Reception and Awards Dinner & Gala Monday evening at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott. Dress is business casual. These are great networking opportunities.
Finally, if you have items that you will be raffling, we ask that each vendor handle their own raffle (i.e., collecting names and determining winners). We will make time just prior to the start of the Closing Session on Tuesday to announce winners. Let us know when you check in A. if you have items to raffle, B. if you would like a VML staff person or one of your reps to announce the winners on Tuesday, and C. if the winners must be present to collect the items.
FROM THE HOTEL:
LOAD IN/LOAD OUT
This is only permitted at the loading dock located off Atlantic Avenue. Hotel’s Loss Prevention staff must be present and authorize access. The Hotel Lobby is restricted. The Hotel cannot guarantee the availability of bell carts or the use of a flat bed, it is best for exhibitors to bring their own carts.
PARKING Trucks and containers may be parked temporarily at the dock entrance and must be removed as soon as they are emptied. Under no circumstances can they be left on property overnight. If exhibitors are in a standard vehicle, they must park in one of the designated parking garages and unload from there.
SHIPPING/RECEIVING Should items be shipped to the Norfolk Waterside Marriott for your event they can arrive as early as 3 days prior to the event. Any shipments that arrive earlier than 3 days, are subject to $5.00 per box/item per day.
Please mark all packages for your event as follows:
HOLD FOR: Name of contact
EVENT NAME/VENDOR NAME:
EVENT DATE:
235 E. Main Street, Norfolk, VA 23510
Total number of boxes (i.e., 1 of 4)
All items that need to be shipped after the event must have a pre-paid shipping label and the exhibitor must schedule for package pick-up.
For questions, please contact Rob Bullington at rbullington@vml.org.
Future Conference Date
2024 Annual Conference Oct. 13-15 (Virginia Beach)