Welcome to the first edition of Countdown to UNITE

Over the next 8 weeks, we’ll be sharing a Friday roundup with the information you need to make the most out of your experience during this new, digital event. We’ll feature information about registration, timely reminders, plus updates on keynote and featured speakers, sessions, networking opportunities, and more.

The ICMA Annual Conference might look a bit different in 2020, but you can still rely on us to bring the local government community together. UNITE: A Digital Event, September 23-26, promises to bring you:

• Opportunities to connect and network with your local government peers, experts, partners, colleagues, and friends.
• Stories from your peers that will help support transformation in your organization and community.
• Inspirational keynotes by leaders from the world stage.
• A digital exhibit hall and the ability to meet one-on-one with exhibitors.
• An all new, and easy-to-use online digital event platform.

This week, we have an update on who you’ll see in attendance at UNITE, our keynote speaker announcement, and new sessions added to the schedule.

Who is attending UNITE? There is strong representation of local government leaders with 21 or more years of experience, and a wide variety of career stages registered. Also, look who is in the lead for top states!

You’ve seen her books and you’ve probably been inspired by her powerful stance on racial bias – we’re thrilled to announce author, educator, speaker, and scholar, Robin DiAngelo, as UNITE’s Thursday General Session keynote speaker, sponsored by Tyler Technologies.

Robin DiAngelo is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism, which has been on the New York Times bestseller list for almost two years and been translated into multiple languages. Get ready to listen to Robin’s perspective on understanding and challenging racism. It’s a keynote you won’t want to miss!

You may have missed it but more education sessions have been added to our sneak peek page! The ICMA Conference Team is hard at work creating an exciting lineup of education sessions featuring some of local government’s most prominent voices. The full education program will be announced in August, so stay tuned for more information about our exciting programming!