The Small Cities Summit focuses on the specific needs and challenges of smaller cities and towns in South Carolina.
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Registration
9:00 – 9:15 a.m. Welcome
9:15 – 10:00 a.m. Procurement and Ethics: Avoiding Common Pitfalls
South Carolina’s smaller cities and towns can fall victim to a number of procurement and ethics pitfalls, creating significant legal and financial risks. This session will provide practical guidance on purchasing procedures. It will also cover how to avoid conflicts of interest, transparency requirements and common compliance mistakes. Learn strategies to strengthen accountability, avoid costly missteps and build trust within your municipality.
10:00 – 10:15 a.m. Break
10:15 – 11:00 a.m. Money Mistakes: Strengthening Municipal Financial Practice
Smaller municipalities face unique financial challenges, where even minor mistakes can have major consequences. This session will highlight the common financial dangers facing small cities and towns including budgeting issues, cash management concerns, internal controls and reporting requirements.
11:00 – 11:15 a.m. Break
11:15 – Noon Budgeting and Audits
Take a deeper dive into municipal finances, specifically how smaller cities and towns can strengthen financial oversight and accountability. Learn more about the importance of effective financial review and reports to council, what to do if financial irregularities are identified, and if and when forensic audits may be necessary.
Noon – 1:30 p.m. Lunch and Agency Hall Opens
1:30 – 1:45 p.m. Meet SCottie! The AI Assistant
1:45 – 2:45 p.m. Partnering for Progress: Agency Panel
Join representatives from state and federal agencies for an informative panel discussion focused on resources available to South Carolina’s small cities and towns. Panelists will highlight funding opportunities, technical assistance programs, broadband and digital initiatives, and economic development support designed to strengthen local communities. Gain practical insights into how these agencies can partner with local governments to advance infrastructure, housing, business growth, and digital access initiatives across the state.
2:45 – 3:30 p.m. Small Towns, Big Impact: Small City Panel
Hear from local government leaders representing some of South Carolina’s smallest cities and towns as they share practical, cost-effective ideas that made a meaningful impact in their communities. Panelists will highlight creative successes achieved without large budgets or reinventing the wheel, proving that small changes can lead to big improvements in quality of life.
- If you need a hotel room on the evening prior to the conference, the Hilton Columbia Center and the Hampton Inn Downtown Historic District are both located within a block of the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.
- Hilton Columbia Center
924 Senate St, Columbia, SC 29201 - Hampton Inn Columbia Downtown Historic District
822 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201
Register online - The deadline to register is Friday, July 31.
A special Agency Hall will be set up for meeting attendees to learn more about state agencies and organizations and discover resources and services available to smaller cities and towns.