The 2025 Annual Meeting of the Municipal Association of SC, taking place on Hilton Head Island July 16 – 20, will take a look at the impact that the state’s cities and towns have for their residents and businesses — making communities safer, more prosperous and more livable.
Municipal leaders will be invited to share the impact their governments are having in their community with the Municipal Association’s City Quick Connect podcast, and the Association will also debut the IMPACT Fund grants. More information on these is available on page 14.
The Honorable David Beasley will deliver the keynote address on Friday, July 18. Beasley, who served in the SC House of Representatives and then as governor of South Carolina from 1995 to 1999, became the executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme from 2017 to 2023.
Beasley’s address will explore the dynamics of global order, including war, conflict, paths to stability and the impact of the Nobel Peace Prize. In 2020, Beasley accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the World Food Programme for its efforts to combat hunger internationally.
The opening general session, including the recognition of Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government graduates, will take place at a new time this year — Thursday afternoon, July 17 at 3:45 p.m., rather than on Friday morning.
Concurrent sessions, where attendees break out into one of a couple of sessions several times during the Municipal Association’s Annual Meeting, give city and town leaders options for learning more about many topics relevant to their communities. Here are the concurrent session options:
Friday, July 18
1:30 p.m. sessions
- Effectively Communicating With Your Legislators – Communicating with legislators can be intimidating, especially when it’s about confusing and controversial topics. Join the Municipal Association legislative team along with members of the General Assembly to learn about tips and tricks in developing relationships with legislators and getting your point across with kindness.
- Unlocking Growth: Attracting Remote Talent to Your Municipality – Understanding how to attract remote workers seeking a high quality of life can help position a city for growth. This session will explore the Town of Cheraw's successful model and provides municipal officials with the tools to implement similar strategies.
- Gun Violence Reduction: The City of Columbia Success Story – In 2024, Columbia experienced a dramatic 40% decrease in fatal and non-fatal shootings — the lowest number of shootings in a decade. In this session, hear from Chief Skip Holbrook on the lessons learned and the various strategies used to achieve this significant reduction in gun violence.
- USC Brain Health: Community Based-Partners for Cognitive Care and Support – The University of South Carolina’s Brain Health is a team of experts dedicated to screening, evaluating and managing memory loss. Join Brain Health’s Executive Director Brad Cole and former Sen. Katrina Shealy, the community outreach coordinator, to learn how cities and towns can partner with Brain Health in making municipalities more friendly to those suffering from memory loss and their caretakers.
2:30 p.m. sessions
- Gun Violence Reduction: The City of Columbia Success Story – In 2024, Columbia experienced a dramatic 40% decrease in fatal and non-fatal shootings — the lowest number of shootings in a decade. In this session, hear from Chief Skip Holbrook on the lessons learned and the various strategies used to achieve this significant reduction in gun violence.
- USC Brain Health: Community Based-Partners for Cognitive Care and Support – The University of South Carolina’s Brain Health is a team of experts dedicated to screening, evaluating and managing memory loss. Join Brain Health’s Executive Director Brad Cole and former Sen. Katrina Shealy, the community outreach coordinator, to learn how cities and towns can partner with Brain Health in making municipalities more friendly to those suffering from memory loss and their caretakers.
Saturday, July 19
9:00 a.m. sessions
- Retail Rivalry: Perfecting Your Pitch to Compete for New Commercial Development – Attracting top retailers and restaurants requires more than just available space — it demands a compelling pitch that sets a community apart. Join Charles Parker, project director at The Retail Coach, as he shares proven strategies to help local leaders craft winning pitches that resonate with site selectors, developers and brokers. Read an article from Parker on retail competitiveness on page 15.
- Critical Court Cases Impacting Local Government – Get a rapid-fire update on recent federal and state court case decisions that affect local government from Municipal Association General Counsel Eric Shytle.
10:00 a.m. sessions
- New Grant Possibilities: Shifting From Hometown Economic Development Grants to the Municipal Association’s New IMPACT Fund – This session will explore the exciting evolution of the HEDG program into the new IMPACT Fund. It will introduce two dynamic grant categories — Problem Solver Grants and Big Idea Grants — designed to address community challenges and drive innovation. Attendees will learn how this transformation provides a more modern, flexible and impactful approach to funding that empowers local leaders to create meaningful change in their communities. Learn more about the fund on page 14.
- Short Takes on Hot Topics – This fast-paced session will provide quick updates and guidance on a variety of issues important to cities and towns.
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. Download it from either the App Store or Google Play by searching for “Municipal Association of SC.”