Hotel information
The Hyatt Regency is the host hotel and location for all meetings and events. There are several overflow hotels to
accommodate meeting attendees.
 

Registering for the meeting and making hotel reservations for municipal officials
Municipal officials have priority in reserving hotel rooms. To ensure all have an equal opportunity, the Association will conduct a drawing on June 1 to determine the order cities will register during appointments on June 15, 16 and 17. Register for the drawing online. 

Hotel and registration procedures for meeting registrants who are not municipal officials and municipal officials without an appointment
Beginning on June 18, attendees will be able to make hotel reservations. The deadline to reserve a hotel room at the Association’s discounted rates is June 22. The pre-registration deadline is July 2. After July 2, individuals must register on-site.

Planning Worksheet
To prepare for the registration appointments, use the planning worksheet. 

(Do not send card information to the Association. Destroy the card information after using the online registration system.)

Payment for registration, tickets and hotel deposits must be made by Visa or MasterCard. Ensure there is an adequate available credit to cover the registrations/reservations. Also, ensure the credit card activity will be within the card’s transaction limit by comparing the total being charged on the worksheets to the total transaction limit on the card(s) being used. The CVV security code is needed to complete the transaction.

Terms
1. Registration fees and hotel deposits are nonrefundable. Tickets purchased are refundable prior to 5 p.m. on July 2.
2. Call Ken Ivey of the Municipal Association to cancel tickets and hotel reservations or for special needs requests (803.933.1205).
3. The hotels assign room types at check-in and requested room types are not guaranteed.
4. Hotel deposits include taxes and fees.
5. Failure to check in on the date reserved for arrival will result in the guest’s room being canceled and the deposit being forfeited.

Wednesday, June 15

• 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Registration
   

Thursday, July 16

• 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Registration
   
• 9:00 a.m. – noon Preconference Workshops $100
  Effective Leadership in Challenging Times
  Mastering the Narrative: Media, Crisis, and Social Strategy
   
• 9:00 a.m. – 1 :00 p.m. Mobile Workshop $100
  Simpsonville, SC: Where Southern Charm Meets Modern Convenience
   
• 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. Opening Session and Annual Business Meeting
  Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government Graduation
   
• 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Welcome Reception – America’s 250th Anniversary
   

Friday, July 17

• 8 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration
   
• 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall Open
   
• 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Keynote: 13 Ways to Kill Your Community
  Doug Griffiths, MBA, Community Enthusiast, Author of 13 Ways to Kill Your Community
  Why do some communities thrive while others fade away? Doug Griffiths reveals the 13 self-inflicted wound that cause communities to sabotage their own success — and why the most dangerous enemy isn’t the economy, government policy or outside forces. You will leave with a renewed sense of ownership and responsibility, a clear understanding of specific challenges, and tools to begin moving toward success.
   
• 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. Meet the Candidates for Governor of South Carolina
  Join Municipal Association of SC Executive Director Todd Glover for a discussion with the Republican Party and Democratic Party nominees for governor of South Carolina. The general election is in November – make sure you study both candidates to be an informed voter in the general election.
   
• 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch on your own
   
• 1:30 – 2:15 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
  Are you Smarter than a Lobbyist?
  Do you know how a bill becomes a law? When can you testify in support of a bill? Test your knowledge with the Advocacy team at the Municipal Association for a lively game of legislative trivia. Win great prizes and bragging rights with your fellow local leaders during this session of questions and answers related to lobbying at the State House.
  
  The $50,000 Facebook Comment
  Sam Toles, Founder, Civisocial
  What is the real cost of reaction-driven communication? Join Sam Toles, founder of CiviSocial, to uncover how a single online comment can drain staff time, damage morale and divert vital municipal resources. This session cuts through the noise of digital critics to reveal where your community is actually spending its time online. You will learn how to identify the hidden fiscal and operational costs of reactive social media, understand the "vocal minority" versus the "silent majority" in digital spaces and discover strategies to build authentic trust with the residents you are currently missing.
   
• 2:30 – 3:15 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
  The Municipality as an Employer
  Fred Williams, Partner, Bettis Law Group, LLC
  Managing a municipal workforce in South Carolina requires navigating a complex web of state and federal regulations. This session provides a practical framework for handling day-to-day personnel issues — from hire to fire — in a manner that is lawful, consistent and defensible.
  
  Under Attack: How Cities Can Defend Against Cyber Threats
  Ryan Truskey, Chief Information Security Officer, SC Law Enforcement Division
  Cyberattacks on local governments are rising—and no city or town is immune. This session breaks down the real-world threats municipalities face and offers straightforward, practical steps to reduce risk. Learn how to identify vulnerabilities, protect critical systems, and build a culture of cybersecurity awareness across your organization.
   
• 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
  Shared Challenges, Shared Solutions: Roundtable Discussions by Population
  Population below 3,000
  Population 3,000 – 10,000
  Population above 10,000
   
• 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Association of SC Mayors Roundtable
   

Saturday, July 18

• 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Registration
• 9:00 – 9:45 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
  Data Centers 101: Benefits, Risks and Realities for Local Leaders
  Jake Broom, Deputy Executive Director, Municipal Association of South Carolina
  John Truluck, Director, Dorchester County Economic Development
  Cathie Vick, Strategic Negotiator, Google
  This session will provide local leaders with a clear, plain‑language overview of data center development, explaining what data centers are and why communities are seeing increased interest in them. Panelists will discuss both the potential benefits and the risks local governments should understand when considering or managing data center projects.
  
  Breaking Up with Robert’s Rules: Alternate Parliamentary Procedures
  Municipalities often find that Robert’s Rules of Order are not well suited to municipal meetings. This presentation will introduce alternative rules of procedure drafted by the Municipal Association’s Legal department and available for adoption.
   
• 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
  Does the Form of Government Really Matter?
  Mayor David Merchant, Sumter 
  Mayor Julia Nelson, Manning
  Mayor Melissa Emmons, Elgin
  Whether your municipality operates under a Mayor-Council, Council, or Council-Manager form of government, the “secret sauce” of a high-functioning town remains the same: effective communication. While each of South Carolina’s three legal structures offers a different roadmap for administration, none can succeed without a foundation of clarity and collaboration among council members.
  
  This panel of experienced municipal leaders will discuss how to move past structural barriers to foster a culture of professional trust. Join us for a candid conversation on how to align your team’s communication style with your city’s form of government to better serve your residents.
  
  The Do’s and Don’ts of FOIA for Elected Officials
  South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act plays a central role in municipal governance. This session will equip elected officials to confidently navigate public records requests, maintain compliance with FOIA law, avoid common pitfalls and foster a culture of openness that strengthens public trust.
   
• 11:00 a.m. – noon From Vision to Viability: A Practical Framework for Downtown Redevelopment
  Mark Elliott, Chairman and CEO, Opportunity South Carolina
  This session presents a step-by-step framework to help South Carolina communities revitalize their down owns by identifying redevelopment opportunities, ensuring financial feasibility, leveraging tax credits, forming public-private partnerships and attracting suitable developers. Participants will gain practical tools to reduce risk, align projects with community goals, and turn revitalization plans into action.
   
• Noon – 2:00 p.m. Awards Luncheon
   
• 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Carolina Cowboy Cookout

Welcome Reception

• Thursday, July 16 | 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
  Kick off our Annual Meeting with a toast to the American Semiquincentennial! Join us for cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres as we celebrate 250 years of history. It’s the perfect setting to reconnect with long-time colleagues and forge new connections.

Exhibit Hall

• Friday, July 17 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  Explore the latest goods and services designed to help your municipality thrive. Meet the experts behind the tools your community needs.

Awards Luncheon

• Saturday, July 18 | Noon – 2:00 p.m. Cost: $65
  Get inspired by the success stories of this year’s Municipal Achievement Awards and Excellence on Main Street Award winners. Discover the innovative projects and leadership strategies shaping the future of South Carolina’s communities.

Carolina Cowboy Cookout

• Saturday, July 18 |  6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Cost: Adult $75, Children under 12 $40
  Giddy up for a night of delicious grub and good times! Dust off your boots and tip your hat to another successful Annual Meeting. This casual family event will be a fun western-themed dinner ... and that ain’t no bull.

Preconference Workshops

Thursday, July 16

• 9:00 a.m. – noon  Effective Leadership in Challenging Times Cost: $100
  Ashlye V. Wilkerson, Ph.D.
  In these challenging political moments, leadership is tested not just by outcomes, but by how leaders show up,
  communicate, and serve their constituents. This interactive pre-conference workshop equips municipal leaders
  and key staff with the mindset, skills and tools needed to lead effectively during challenging times — while
  modeling civility, ethical leadership and public trust.
   
• 9:00 a.m. – noon Mastering the Narrative: Media, Crisis and Social Strategy Cost: $100
  Mary Cullen, Director, NP Strategy
  Ryal Curtis, Senior Director, NP Strategy
  Master the art of municipal leadership in the digital age. This 3-hour workshop equips elected officials and staff
  to handle high-pressure media, manage crises effectively and engage stakeholders with transparency. Learn
  to protect public trust through proactive, strategic messaging that keeps your community informed and your
  narrative on track.
   
• 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Mobile Workshop Cost: $100
  Simpsonville, SC: Where Southern Charm Meets Modern Convenience
  This guided tour will showcase some of the city’s newest facilities, including City Hall and cutting-edge police
  and fire stations. You’ll hear the story behind the successful city-county partnership that delivered a modern
  municipal courthouse, as well as the creative transformation of a historic school into the thriving Simpsonville
  Arts Center. Discover how these projects can be thoughtfully scaled to meet your city or town’s unique needs.
  
  Registration is limited to the first 100 registrants. The registration fee includes breakfast. Buses will depart from
  the Hyatt Regency promptly at 9 a.m. and return attendees to the Hyatt Regency by 1 p.m. Comfortable walking
  shoes and clothing are strongly encouraged as the tour will include walking and outdoor spaces. Registration is
  limited to municipal officials. Guests may not register for this session.