MME Winter Institute Conference Information
The Michigan Municipal Executives 2026 Winter Institute will bring Michigan’s municipal leaders to Traverse City from January 21-23, 2026. This institute will focus on providing professional development opportunities for our members to learn and grow as municipal executives.
Online registration has closed
Registration Rates
MME Member: $450
MME Consultant Member: $530
First Time Winter Institute Attendee: $320 (for MME members only, consultants noneligible)
Retired Member Winter Institute Attendee: $320
Manager in Transition: (fee waived)
Emerging Leader: (fee waived)
Guest: $320 (Welcome Reception, Vendor Reception & Conference Meals)
Guest: $160 (Welcome Reception and Vendor Reception Only)
Guest: $80 (Welcome Reception Only)
*The guest fee is restricted to persons who are not city or public officials, are not employees of any community, and would have no professional reason to attend the conference.
Location
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
100 Grand Traverse Village Blvd,
Acme, MI 49610
Tuesday, January 20
| 12:30 – 4:00 p.m. | Registration Open |
| 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Pre-Conference Workshop - Leveraging Forecasting for Financially Resolute Budgets (Pre-registration required)
Step into a session where fiscal leadership is transformed from a compliance exercise into a proactive, strategic endeavor. Designed for municipal executives, this preconference program goes beyond checking boxes like the State Budget Act (PA 2 of 1968) and instead offers an engaging, hands-on approach to budgeting that empowers you to shape your community’s future. Through interactive modules, we will discuss the essentials of building an annual budget, from structuring funds and departments to navigating budget amendments, while focusing on aligning financial planning with your community’s vision. You’ll learn how to meaningfully involve your elected body in budget discussions, strengthening partnerships and ensuring your plans reflect wider community priorities. With a clear understanding of your community’s financial history and current landscape, you’ll be equipped to anticipate challenges and leverage practical forecasting tools to guide informed decision-making. The session concludes with the fundamentals of communicating the “big picture” to elected officials - fostering collaboration and transparency. Join us to develop the foresight, tools, and mindset needed to lead a resilient, financially sound community and turn budgeting into a strategic path for long-term success. Speakers
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Wednesday, January 21
| 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Registration Open | |
| 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Networking Breakfast | |
| 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | First Time Attendees Breakfast Meet Up
First-Time Attendees – Welcome to your first MME Winter Institute! Grab coffee and your breakfast to get a jump start on networking. Plenty of friendly faces will be here to help you make the most of your conference experience and your MME membership! |
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| 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Meet with an ICMA Senior Advisor (Scheduling required)
The ICMA Senior Advisor program is a joint activity of ICMA and MME established by the ICMA Executive Board in 1974 to make the counsel, experience, and support of respected, retired managers of the profession available to members. Senior Advisors are available to meet periodically with members to discuss the profession and their concerns as members. Discussion topics range from relations with elected officials, overall management questions, relations with ICMA, responses to local controversies such as referenda on the council-manager plan, to career development. Senior Advisors may also help communities interested in creating a professional local government management position, including adoption of council-manager government. Senior Advisors are friends, colleagues, and advisors to the profession-not consultants. The Senior Advisor program is designed to help with personal and professional issues, not to provide technical assistance or solve substantive problems in a local government. Book time with MME Senior Advisors: 2026 MME Winter Institute Coach
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| 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Executive Coaching (Scheduling required)
Transform your leadership potential and unlock new opportunities with April Lynch’s executive coaching services. With over 30 years of leadership experience and a passion for helping others grow, April provides a supportive, results-driven coaching experience tailored to your unique challenges and goals. Whether you're navigating a difficult situation, fine-tuning your leadership style, or simply seeking an objective thought partner, coaching can help you gain clarity, confidence, and actionable insights. This program is designed to equip leaders with the tools to foster a culture of growth and excellence. Through personalized coaching, you’ll learn how to build your own coaching framework, enhance your leadership toolkit, and inspire others to succeed. Each session is interactive and practical, leaving you with actionable strategies to implement immediately. Book time with April Lynch: 2026 Winter MME Conference Coach
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| 9:00 – 10:15 a.m. | Opening General Session - The Power of Sustainovation
Award-winning civic innovator Nick Kittle explains the nature of innovation in government and the powerful role we play in making Sustainovation a reality for our organizations. In this inspirational keynote, Nick will explore how we can get creative, build momentum, and get others to join Team Us as we make wildly creative ideas a reality. Attendees will leave empowered, inspired, and ready to tackle powerful challenges with new vigor. Speaker
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| 10:15 – 10:30 a.m. | Networking Break | |
| 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. | Breakout Sessions
Harnessing AI for Community and Professional Advocacy This session offers a clear, practical overview of how municipalities can use Artificial Intelligence in their organizations. We’ll explore real examples of AI supporting daily operations, communications, and community engagement, with a focus on what’s realistic, responsible, and useful right now. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of AI’s capabilities, limitations, and how to begin applying it in their own work. Speaker
If you work in a small city or village (under 5,000) you are already aware of your incredibly vulnerable positions (wastewater and water license holder, Police or Fire Chief, etc.). When they leave; what do you do? Looking at the difficulties in hiring any position with a quality applicant; how do you fill a highly certified expert position? What happens when you need to hire a unicorn? How can you afford to pay for a unicorn? Can I reshuffle the departmental chart? Should I? What resources do I have available to me? What do other small communities do? This round table discussion format session will help you answer some of these questions that are unique to small municipalities, prepare you for future transitions and help you think outside of the local government employment box. Speaker
America at 250: What Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness Mean for Local Government Today As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, America250 provides a timely opportunity for local leaders to reaffirm their commitment to the founding principles of our democracy—life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and justice for all. This session will help local government managers explore how to foster civility and lead inclusive communities in ways that align with the values set forth in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. It will focus on how these enduring principles can guide public service today—especially in moments when words, intentions, and values are under heightened scrutiny. Speakers
Connecting your Strategic Plan to your Budget Discover practical methods to align your municipality’s strategic priorities with budget decisions. This interactive session guides participants through mapping goals to budget line items. Attendees will leave with a customizable worksheet to directly apply in their own budget process. Speakers
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| 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Networking Lunch | |
| 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. | Afternoon General Session - Level Up: Unlocking Life 2.0
In today's fast-paced world, the ability to navigate uncertainty and embrace change is more crucial than ever. Based on Nick Kittle’s unusual journey through life, "Level Up: Unlocking Life 2.0" is a game-changing presentation designed to help you redefine your relationship with risk and unlock a new version of your life—one that is resilient, adaptive, and fully in tune with the dynamic nature of the modern world. In this session, we’ll delve into the paradoxical nature of time, the importance of letting go of the past, and the strategies for increasing the quality and quantity of your life. You’ll learn how to break free from the confines of binary thinking, embrace the unknown with confidence, and leverage resilience to turn challenges into opportunities. Speaker
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| 1:30 – 1:45 p.m. | Networking Break | |
| 1:45 – 2:45 p.m. | Breakout Sessions
Investing in You: Stories and Strategies from High-Impact Professional Training Looking to take your professional growth to the next level? This session spotlights transformative development and training programs from world-renowned institutions, including Harvard’s Executive Education, Disney Institute, and more. Learn what these programs offer, how to apply, and the real impact they can have on your career trajectory. You'll hear directly from individuals who have participated in these programs as they share their firsthand experiences, key takeaways, and how the training shaped their professional journeys. Whether you're considering future opportunities or building a roadmap for your team’s development, this session will equip you with insights, resources, and inspiration to act. Speakers
How to Communicate Through Change and Uncertainty Every change initiative – whether it’s a technology overhaul, leadership transition, relocation or a new policy – will encounter resistance. To get stakeholder buy-in, reduce resistance and smooth the transition, municipal leaders need a strategic approach, thoughtful communication, and a pulse on how employees are feeling. Using a case study example, learn how a municipality leveraged change management communications to turn a period of change and disruption into an opportunity to build relationships and trust. Speakers
That Apparatus Is Going to Cost How Much? Fire engines will approach $1 million and take several years for delivery. Ladder trucks will exceed $2 million and also take several years for delivery. Ambulances, SCBA, and other PPE costs are rapidly increasing. What should communities consider when purchasing? Is lease purchasing or bonding possible? Speaker
Build your own multi-year financial forecast using accessible tools and Michigan-specific fund categories. Participants will work hands-on with a forecasting template, learning how to incorporate statutory limits and local drivers. Walk away with a ready-to-use model tailored to your municipality’s needs. Be sure to bring your laptop and a BS&A (or equivalent) export in Excel. Detailed instructions and the model template are available for download here. Instructional videos are available here. Speakers
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| 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Northern Michigan Manager's Group Meeting | |
| 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Welcome Reception & Activity (Pre-registration required)
Location: Michigan AB and The Den, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa |
Thursday, January 22
| 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Registration Open |
| 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Meet with an ICMA Senior Advisor (Scheduling required)
The ICMA Senior Advisor program is a joint activity of ICMA and MME established by the ICMA Executive Board in 1974 to make the counsel, experience, and support of respected, retired managers of the profession available to members. Senior Advisors are available to meet periodically with members to discuss the profession and their concerns as members. Discussion topics range from relations with elected officials, overall management questions, relations with ICMA, responses to local controversies such as referenda on the council-manager plan, to career development. Senior Advisors may also help communities interested in creating a professional local government management position, including adoption of council-manager government. Senior Advisors are friends, colleagues, and advisors to the profession-not consultants. The Senior Advisor program is designed to help with personal and professional issues, not to provide technical assistance or solve substantive problems in a local government. Book time with MME Senior Advisors: 2026 MME Winter Institute Coach
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| 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Executive Coaching (Scheduling required)
Transform your leadership potential and unlock new opportunities with April Lynch’s executive coaching services. With over 30 years of leadership experience and a passion for helping others grow, April provides a supportive, results-driven coaching experience tailored to your unique challenges and goals. Whether you're navigating a difficult situation, fine-tuning your leadership style, or simply seeking an objective thought partner, coaching can help you gain clarity, confidence, and actionable insights. This program is designed to equip leaders with the tools to foster a culture of growth and excellence. Through personalized coaching, you’ll learn how to build your own coaching framework, enhance your leadership toolkit, and inspire others to succeed. Each session is interactive and practical, leaving you with actionable strategies to implement immediately. Book time with April Lynch: 2026 Winter MME Conference Coach
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| 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Networking Breakfast |
| 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. | Opening Remarks, MME Awards & ICMA Update |
| 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Morning General Session - Legislative Update
Legislative staff from the Michigan Municipal League, Michigan Association of Counties and Michigan Townships Association will present an update on local government issues being addressed in Lansing. Speakers
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| 10:30 – 10:45 a.m. | Networking Break |
| 10:45 – 11:45 a.m. | Breakout Sessions
The Way of the Municipal Leader: Lessons to Build Teams One Relationship at a Time This interactive workshop aims to accomplish 3 objectives: Speaker
Strength Through Support: Maintaining Positivity and Friendship During the Hiring Process Hiring processes are uniquely stressful for municipal executives, intensified by professional pressures, personal demands, and competition with peers. This session equips attendees with strategies for peer support, maintaining relationships with fellow candidates, and fostering solidarity. Participants will leave ready to support one another through challenging job transitions. Speakers
Recognizing and Avoiding Ethics Quagmires This scenario-based interactive session will engage participants in discussions of case studies of ethics issues that have tripped up local government executives in recent years. ICMA/MME Senior Advisor Gregg Guetschow will initiate and facilitate conversations designed to highlight the principles that serve as the foundation for ethical conduct so attendees can be better equipped to make appropriate choices when faced with similar challenge. Speaker
Leveraging Forecasting During the CIP Process Wish lists are not “plans” and “plans” should be achievable. Build a pragmatic Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) through the integration of financial forecasting and effective rate modeling. With realistic financial outlooks, we can build an informed, actionable, and sustainable capital investment strategy, and/or we can build the foundation of an infrastructure story that needs to be told. This session will provide a step-by-step guide to help participants link CIP projects to long-range financial forecasts. This session will be helpful if you plan to attend Effective Budget Communication Strategies but it is not required. Speakers
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| 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Networking Lunch & MME Annual Business Meeting |
| 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. | Afternoon General Session - Hot Topics In Local Government
This session builds off the successful sessions at the 2024 and 2025 ICMA conferences. During this session, we will put a local government spin on the popular web series "Hot Ones." In previous sessions, topics included discussions on development, affordable housing, homelessness, NIMBY(ism), and more. Panelists will be eating progressively spicier hot wings. There will be a rapid-fire round of audience-submitted questions, along with plenty of extra sauce for those brave enough to taste! Speakers
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| 2:00 – 2:15 p.m. | Networking Break |
| 2:15 – 3:15 p.m. | Breakout Sessions
The Renewal Gauntlet: How Local Governments Can Win the Health-Care Cost Battle Each renewal season brings higher rates and fewer options. Municipal leaders will learn new tactics to regain control of benefit costs including: self-funding, direct primary care, and many other strategies. Gain insight into which models deliver stability, transparency, and value for your employees and taxpayers. Speaker
Overview of EGLE’s Brownfield Program From expedited reviews to grant awards, EGLE’s Brownfield Redevelopment Program is focused on being responsive to the needs of development. This session will provide an overview of the technical and financial assistance available through EGLE’s Brownfield Program and how best to access this assistance. Speaker
Building a Foundation Through Organizational Culture This interactive session will use examples from different organizations as the basis for discussion among session attendees on building a strong organizational culture, why it is important, and how to overcome challenges along the way. Speakers
Effective Budget Communication Strategies Strengthen your ability to communicate budget decisions to elected officials, staff, and the public. Through active participation, we will help you develop tailored messages and visuals using a budget communication toolkit. Leave equipped to foster transparency and trust in your municipality’s budget process, whether delivering the annual budget recommendation or communicating with the community about major financial investment needs requiring additional revenues such as a millage or bond. Speakers
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| 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. | Vendor Reception (Pre-registration required) |
| 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Past Presidents Dinner (Invitation only) |
| 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Early Career Outreach Dinner (Pre-registration required) |
Friday, January 23
| 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Networking Breakfast |
| 9:00 – 10:05 a.m. | Opening Remarks & General Session - Unearthing the Truth: Cedar Springs' Encounter with Forever Chemicals
This case study examines the real-life challenges faced by the City of Cedar Springs following the discovery of PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) contamination - commonly referred to as "forever chemicals"- in the area's surrounding environment. Speakers
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| 10:05 – 10:15 a.m. | Networking Break |
| 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. | Closing General Session - Championing Civility in our Communities, Reflections from a Recovering City Manager
Polarization and declining civility challenge our communities and our profession. Jon Lynch, President of Three Rivers Corporation and former Midland City Manager, shares reflections from public service and private leadership. This session explores the roots of civic engagement, why civility matters, and practical strategies to foster respect, dialogue, and stronger communities. Speaker
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| 11:15 a.m. | Closing Comments |
More information coming soon.
Hotel Information
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
100 Grand Traverse Village Blvd,
Acme, MI 49610
Guestrooms available for $155 per night (plus taxes and resort fee)
This room block has ended.
Sponsorship for 2026 Winter Institute has closed.
For a full listing of MME’s Annual Sponsorship Opportunities, click here.
Purpose
Michigan Municipal Executives (MME) is committed to enabling events at which everyone can participate in an inclusive, respectful, and safe environment. MME events are guided by the highest ethical and professional standards based upon the ICMA Code of Ethics, and all participants are expected to behave with integrity and respect towards all participants attending or involved with any MME Event.
Visit www.mme.org to review the MME Meetings & Conferences Code of Conduct.