The Municipal Association of SC 2026 Annual Meeting is taking place July 15 to 19 at the Hyatt Regency Greenville. Friday and Saturday will feature concurrent sessions, with attendees selecting sessions on specific topics relevant to their communities.
Here are the concurrent session offerings:
Friday, July 17
1:30 p.m. sessions
- Are You Smarter Than a Lobbyist? – In this trivia game, participants can test their knowledge on how legislation works in South Carolina with the Municipal Association’s advocacy team. Win prizes and bragging rights with fellow local leaders in this session of questions and answers on lobbying at the State House.
- The $50,000 Facebook Comment – 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 and divert vital municipal resources. 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 trust with residents.
2:30 p.m. sessions
- The Municipality as an Employer – Managing a municipal workforce requires navigating a complex web of state and federal regulations. Fred Williams of the Bettis Law Group will provide a practical framework for handling day-to-day personnel issues lawfully and consistently.
- Under Attack: How Cities Can Defend Against Cyber Threats – Ryan Truskey, chief information security officer with the SC Law Enforcement Division, will explain the growing cyberattack threats faced by municipalities and offer practical steps to reduce vulnerabilities and protect critical systems.
3:30 p.m. sessions
- Shared Challenges, Shared Solutions: Round Table Discussions by Population Size – The sessions will split into three groups:
- one for cities and towns with populations below 3,000;
- one for populations 3,000 to 10,000; and
- one for populations above 10,000.
Saturday, July 18
9:00 a.m. sessions
- Data Centers 101: Benefits, Risks, and Realities for Local Leaders – This session will provide local leaders with a plain‑language overview of data center development, what data centers are and why communities are seeing increased interest in them. Cathie Vick, strategic negotiator with Google, as well as John Truluck, director for Dorchester County Economic Development, will discuss the potential benefits and the risks local governments should understand when considering 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 their council meetings. Learn about alternative rules of procedure drafted by the Municipal Association’s Legal department which cities can adopt.
10:00 a.m. sessions
- Does the Form of Government Really Matter? – Whether a municipality operates under a council, mayor-council or council-manager form of government, the critical feature of a well-functioning city 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. Elgin Mayor Melissa Emmons, Sumter Mayor David Merchant and Manning Mayor Julia Nelson will join the panel to discuss how to build trust, no matter the form of government.
- 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 maintain compliance with the SC Freedom of Information Act, confidently navigate public records requests and foster a culture of openness that strengthens public trust.
The full agenda for the Annual Meeting is available online and on the Association’s app.
The app allows users to plan out which sessions they will attend, and connects them with information on speakers, exhibitors, sponsors and attendees.