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Maryland Municipal League's 2013 Annual Convention to Showcase Exceptional Leadership among Cities, Towns

Conference Highlights Will Include Lieutenant Governor Anthony G. Brown’s Address to Municipal Leaders, Keynote Presentation by Former Tampa, Florida Mayor and Author Pam Iorio

Ocean City, Md. (May 28, 2013) — Maryland elected officials, city and town leaders, and organizations supporting Maryland’s nearly 160 municipalities will gather in Ocean City, Md. on June 23-26 for MML’s 2013 summer convention, to  recognize the rich history of Maryland’s cities and towns, and to support change in their communities. The annual meeting provides a platform for city and town officials to gain background and insights on major issues facing the state and its municipalities, learn about best practices for local government operations, and interact with counterparts from all around the state.

Municipal leaders attending will also have the chance to participate in a broad array of workshops and presentations, and to explore the more than 220 expo booths. Lieutenant Governor Anthony G. Brown will address municipal leaders at the convention’s Inaugural Dinner event on Tuesday, June 25, when the league’s new slate of officers and directors will be sworn in.

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“During our annual convention, we encourage and challenge officials to collaborate and share ideas on how to keep our cities and towns thriving,” said Judith F. “J” Davis, Maryland Municipal League President and Mayor of Greenbelt. “This year’s convention theme: “Cherish the Past, Plan the Future,” supports the notion that our city and town governments must build on the proud traditions and legacies that have made them unique, while continuing to evolve to meet the changing needs of our residents and communities.”

Highlights of this year’s convention will include:

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Opening General Session and Keynote Speaker:
On Monday, June 24 at 10 a.m., former Tampa, Florida mayor and noted author Pam Iorio will deliver the convention’s keynote presentation. Her eight-year tenure as mayor of Tampa was marked by a 67.5 percent decline in the crime rate and the tripling of financial reserves, during a time of recession. She is the author of the book, Straightforward Leadership: Ways to Live and Lead. In her presentations, Iorio shares candid insights about her hands-on experience as a major city leader with a proven track record, in an effort to help other local officials improve their own ability to influence and drive change in their communities.

Presentation on Maryland’s Economic Outlook:
Economist Anirban Basu, chairman and CEO of the Sage Policy Group, will deliver an insightful analysis of Maryland’s economy, specifically geared toward a municipal audience.

Business Meeting and Banner City/Town Award Recognition:
On Tuesday, June 25, from 9-10:15 a.m., cities or towns that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to MML programs and activities over the past year will be recognized. The 2013 banner cities include Aberdeen, Bel Air, Berlin, Betterton, Boonsboro, Bowie, Brunswick, Burkittsville, Cambridge, Charlestown, Chesapeake Beach, Chesapeake City, Chestertown, College Park, Colmar Manor, Easton, Edmonston, Elkton, Federalsburg, Frederick, Friendsville, Fruitland, Gaithersburg, Galena, Glenarden, Greenbelt,  Hampstead, Hancock, Hyattsville, Indian Head, Kensington, Landover Hills, La Plata, Laurel, Leonardtown,   Mount Airy, Mount Rainier, New Carrollton, North Beach, North Brentwood, Perryville, Princess Anne, Queenstown, Rising Sun, Riverdale Park, Rockville, Salisbury, Seat Pleasant, Somerset, Sykesville, Takoma Park, Taneytown, Union Bridge, Upper Marlboro,  and Westminster.

MML Inaugural Dinner:
Lt. Governor Brown’s address to municipal leaders will highlight the annual dinner, which will be held on Tuesday, June 25 from 7-9 p.m. In addition to delivering his speech, he will formally introduce MML’s 2013-14 officers and board of directors. Seventeen individuals will also be inducted into the Maryland Municipal Officials Hall of Fame. MML will also present two prestigious awards during the dinner: the Distinguished Service Award to the O’Malley-Brown Administration and the Lifetime Achievement Award to former Cumberland Councilman and Past MML President Floyd “Pete” Elliott.

The convention will also feature 23 educational workshops, on topics such as municipal management, ethics, risk management and environmental protection. Also, city and town officials will have the opportunity to meet directly with Maryland’s cabinet secretaries in informal roundtable sessions on Tuesday afternoon.

Convention participants are also welcome to visit the exhibition hall with more than 200 vendors, including a “Municipal Main Street” featuring exhibits from cities, towns and MML departments.

The annual gathering will take place at the Ocean City Convention Center and is made possible, in part, thanks to the support of MML’s Corporate Partners: AARP, Benecon Benefits Consulting Group; Council, Baradel, Kosmerl & Nolan, P.A; CGI Communications, Inc.; CIGNA Healthcare; Comcast; Funk & Bolton, P.A.; ICMA-RC; Local Government Insurance Trust; Maryland Environmental Service; PFM Financial Services, LLC; Potomac Edison; The Traffic Group; Utility Service Partners, Inc.; Van Eperen & Company; Verizon; and Weyrich, Cronin & Sorra-Certified Public Accountants & Business Consultants.

For more information, including a complete agenda and registration details, visit http://www.mdmunicipal.org.

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About The Maryland Municipal League:
Located at the Phipps Municipal Center in the state capital of Annapolis, The Maryland Municipal League (MML) was founded in 1936 and represents 156 municipal governments and two special taxing districts throughout the state of Maryland. A voluntary, non-profit, nonpartisan association controlled and maintained by city and town governments, MML works to strengthen and support municipal government through advocacy and the development of effective leadership. Through its membership in the National League of Cities MML offers legislative representation in Washington, urban research programs, and a national municipal government information exchange. MML is the only statewide organization in Maryland composed solely of municipal officials and devoted to the promotion of all branches of municipal administration.

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