eNews Special Edition – August 2, 2024
VML 2024 Annual Conference (Oct. 13-15): Know Before You Go!
Friday, August 2, 2024/Categories: eNews
VML 2024 Annual Conference (Oct. 13-15): Know Before You Go!
Everyone here at the Virginia Municipal League is looking forward to welcoming our members to Virginia Beach in October. As things come together, we want to call out some items that everyone should take into consideration when planning their conference trip.
Lodging: VML has room blocks at all three Marriott owned hotels: The Marriott Oceanside, the adjacent Embassy Suites, and the Historic Cavalier across the street. Links and information are available on the Lodging section of the event page.
- New reduced rate for the Historic Cavalier: It’s right across the street, it’s beautiful, it’s historic as all get out, and rooms are now only $209/night under the VML room block!
- The Embassy Suites and the Marriott are both oceanfront and share parking: So, no matter where you stay, you’ll have a convenient, beachy time.
The Mayors Institute will be at the Embassy Suites: The event starts with breakfast at 8:30am and concludes at 4:00pm on Sunday, Oct. 13.
…meanwhile, next door at the Marriott: the Annual Conference will get underway with general sessions starting at 1:15pm on Sunday, Oct. 13.
…then, we all come together Sunday evening to celebrate! Beginning with an outdoor, ocean view reception and continuing with the Awards Banquet before finally dancing into the night to the sounds of the Soul Expressions Band, it’s going to be fun.
Dress: Business casual with an emphasis on comfortable shoes for the Sunday and Monday evening receptions which will both be outdoors (weather permitting).
Agenda: The link to the preliminary “Conference-at-a-Glance” agenda for the 2024 VML Annual Conference can be viewed/downloaded directly here >. Please check the event page for future updates including the final agenda with session topics when it becomes available. Sessions that have been confirmed include:
- Supreme Court update for local governments from the International Municipal Lawyers Association
- A session from the National Safety Council
- Panel discussions on “Artificial Intelligence & Cybersecurity for Local Governments” and “Council/Manager Relations”
- VML’s Annual Business Meeting scheduled for Monday, Oct. 14 beginning at 3:00 PM.
- An interactive “Futurecast” closing session with ace facilitator Matt Lehrman
- …and many more sessions, panel discussions, and roundtables are in the works!
Something in the Water: Nope, we’re not talking about the new requirements related to PFAS “forever chemicals” in water supplies (although there will be a session on those). We’re talking about Pharrell Williams’ big music festival just announced for Oct. 12-13. The festival is at the south end of the beach and the VML Conference is at the north end, so we aren’t expecting the festival to affect the conference. However, it’s probably a good idea to plan on the possibility for additional traffic and any dining reservations should be made in advance to be safe.
Dining: After the VML reception Monday evening, attendees will be free to explore Virginia Beach’s many dining options or stay in the vicinity. There are nine (that’s right, nine!) dining options across the three hotels. From grab n’ go to fine dining there’s something for everyone. Whether onsite of off, we recommend reservations when available.
See you at the beach!
VML Contact: Rob Bullington, rbullington@vml.org