2019 Annual Conference

VML would like to thank the City of Roanoke and all of the sponsors who made this conference a success!

Conference Pricing List

Annual Conference Registration – VML Member – $385
Annual Conference Registration – Non-Member – $500
Mayors Institute Registration (Pre-conference event) – $250

Spouse/guest Options

Mayors Institute Spouse/guest Registration – $100
Annual Conference Spouse/guest Registration – $150
Annual Conference “Planternoon” Spouse/guest Activity – $50

A La Carte Options

Sunday – Women in Local Government Luncheon (ticketed event) – $50
Monday – NBC-LEO Luncheon (ticketed event) – $50
Monday – VLGMA Luncheon (ticketed event) – $50
Tuesday – Lunch Banquet – $50

Main conference hotel:

Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center
110 Shenandoah Ave
Roanoke, VA 24016, US
(866) 594-4722

Participating nearby hotels

Home2Suites by Hilton
4830 Valley View Blvd
Roanoke, Virginia 24012
(540) 581-1000
Allows small dogs

SpringHill Suites by Marriott
301 Reserve Avenue
Roanoke, Virginia 24016
(540) 400-6226
Includes breakfast, will provide shuttle to Hotel Roanoke and Downtown Trolley Stop

Hyatt Place
5040 Valley View Blvd North, NW
Roanoke, Virginia 24012
(540) 366-4700

Hampton Inn and Suites
27 Church Avenue, S.E.
Roanoke, Virginia 24011
1-800-426-7866

For more information about hotel reservations or conference-related inquiries, contact Sandra Harrington, sharrington@vml.org or 804-523-8524.

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About the Conference

Each fall about 1,000 local government officials, speakers and exhibitors 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 achievement awards recognizing excellence in local government programs.
The opportunity for networking with colleagues from across the state.
Exhibit hall featuring the latest in products and services for local governments. New this year will be the length of time that exhibits will be open as well as a designated time to mix and mingle with exhibitors without missing sessions and workshops.

Sponsor or Exhibit

The annual conference is where Virginia’s local government officials shop for the latest equipment, technologies, and services for their municipalities. Corporate sponsorship of the VML Annual Conference contributes to the successful outcome of each year’s conference. Find out more here >

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General FAQs

Where can I find the itinerary?
As is the case every year, the conference program evolves as the date approaches. However, you can view the Conference at a Glance Program here. We will continue to revise it as we finalize items and will announce when the program has been finalized in our eNews bulletin and on our website.

What’s the importance of downloading the VML mobile app prior to the conference?
From your smart phone the VML mobile app will enable you to access session materials and documents, receive instant updates when things change, set up timely reminders of sessions and meetings, navigate through the exhibit hall with ease and more. Download the app now.

First-time app users may visit the Attendify Event App – Onboarding Experience video or view our getting started page.

Can I bring my spouse or a guest?
Of course. However, if you want them to be able to attend all the events, receptions, etc. you will need to purchase a Spouse/Guest Registration in addition to your registration. The cost is $100 for the Mayors Institute and $150 for the Annual Conference. Please note that a “guest” cannot be an elected official or municipal leader.

Can I attend individual events instead of the whole conference?
Yes, some of the events are listed as “A La Carte” options on the registration form. They are:

Sunday – Women in Local Government Luncheon (ticketed event) – $50
Monday – NBC-LEO Luncheon (ticketed event) – $50
Monday – VLGMA Luncheon (ticketed event) – $50
Tuesday – Lunch Banquet $50*

*The Tuesday Lunch Banquet is included with the general conference registration, so you only need to purchase this a la carte if you won’t be attending the conference but want to attend the lunch banquet.

How much does it cost to attend the conference?
Pricing information is available here and on the registration page where you select your event and options.

What is the Spouse/Guest activity this year?
The “Planternoon” activity is a locally curated afternoon of planting succulents. Create your own unique terrarium on a sturdy, wooden chalkboard container. Includes all supplies, smocks, gloves, three premium succulents, succulent soil, decorative stones, moss. We even throw in your choice of a gnome or fairy for good measure. Wine and other liquid refreshments (just water for the plants, please) will be included as well.

Are there vegan or vegetarian food options?
Yes. Please indicate on the registration form in the “Dietary needs” section for each attendee that will need a vegan or vegetarian option for meals.

What days/times are the sponsored luncheons?
Please note that the following are ticketed events which must be purchased in the A La Carte section of the registration form:

Sunday, 12:30 – 2 p.m. – Women in Local Government Lunch
Monday, Noon – 1:15 p.m. – NBC-LEO Lunch
Monday, Noon – 1:15 p.m. – VLGMA Lunch

Attendee Registration FAQs

I’m registering other people for the conference, not myself. Why do I need to enter my information first?
The registration form is driven by our database. If you’re not currently listed in our database, you will need to enter your information before you can proceed to registration. When you reach the registration page, there will be fields to indicate who will be attending.

I don’t want to register for both events, but it looks like there is only one form. How can I choose which event to register for?
After you have entered your email address (or the email address of the person you wish to register) in the space provided and then clicked the appropriate submit button, you will be taken to a screen where you enter your information and select which event(s) you wish to attend.

Can I be invoiced for my payment?
You may pay with a credit card when you make your online registration(s) or choose to pay by check. If you choose to pay by check, you will be sent an invoice via email. Please make your payment at least 2 weeks prior to the conference.

Can I pay after the conference?
Unfortunately, we are no longer able to offer this option. However, if you are unable to pay prior to the conference, we can accept payment by credit card or check when you pick up your credentials.

Can I register for more than one person?
Yes. Select the “I’m registering multiple people for this event” option in the registration portal.

Can I register other people if I am not attending?
Yes. You can use one of the following options in the registration portal:

I’m registering another person for this event using his/her email address
I’m registering another person for this event using my email address.

Can I change a registration?
If you need to add attendees, you can use the following options in the registration portal:

I’m registering another person for this event using his/her email address
I’m registering another person for this event using my email address.

If you need to remove attendees or add/remove an item (i.e. Spouse/Guest Activity) from your registration, please send the details of your request to Joni Terry, jterry@vml.org.

How do I cancel a registration?
All requests for cancellations should be sent to Joni Terry, jterry@vml.org before Sept. 20, 2019.

Exhibitor Registration FAQs

How can I see what booths have already been reserved and/or select mine?
After you’ve completed the registration landing page, you will be taken to the page where you select the number of booths, add additional attendees (if desired) and use a link to our Exhibit Hall chart which will allow you to select a specific booth by clicking on it. Booths that are already reserved will be indicated in red.

I’ve already registered and provided the info for my 2 attendees but when I try to go back and add another person the system says I am already registered. How do I add another person at this point?
You can start a new registrationusing the contact information for the additional attendee and then choose only the additional attendee box.

When I registered, I did not know who would be attending and/or I need to change the attendees. How can I update/change this information?
Please send an email to Joni Terry, jterry@vml.org and indicate what changes you’d like to make.

When will the exhibit hall be open?
Exhibitors may begin registering and setting up their booths at 7 a.m. on Sunday, October 6. The Exhibit Hall will be open to attendees from 11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. on that day. On Monday, October 7, the Exhibit Hall will be open to attendees from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. After that, exhibitors should take down their booths and join the attendees for the Host Night Celebration in Market Square that evening. The Exhibit Hall will not be open on Tuesday, October 8.

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