Lights, Action, Kansas! The featured projects (and behind the scenes work) building Kansas communities of the future.
Keynote by Kansas Department of Commerce
The Department of Commerce will kick off the conference with a discussion of the projects that are putting Kansas Center stage around the country. Assistant Secretary of Commerce, Nadira Hazim-Patrick and Special Projects Liaison, Doug Bach will give us an overview, and will further discuss what policies "move the needle" in getting companies to come to Kansas, and what it is local communities can do to prepare themselves for consideration of economic development efforts.The remainder of the day will include (see details below):
An update on the preparations for the World Cup 2026 in Kansas City, and what this underdog city did to land the hearts, minds, and confidence of FIFA!
The work required "beind the scenes: to bring development to communities. For example,
- How can we build a workforce if there is a shortage of affordable childcare?
- What will these projects look like "on the ground"? How are communities preparing? We'll hear from them!
- What will these new employers do to make themselves attractive to new talent, and how will organizations retain the talent they have?
- Can alternative delivery methods deliver better products AND receive community support?
Tickets are $165/person.
Don't forget to include a tickets to:
- KACM Annual Meeting luncheon,
- The KACM Foundation Fundraising BBQ
- And The Kansas Chapter of the Women Leading Government Friday luncheon.
Questions? Email Alex Terwilliger, Associate Director
| Time | Topic | Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| MARCH 30TH | ||
| 8:30-9:00 | Welcome | |
| 9:00 | Preview of Coming Attractions: New Projects Putting Kansas Center Stage. What Policies Contribute to Economic Development and How Can Communities Assist in the Process | KS Dept. of Commerce Assistant Secretary, Nadira Hazim-Patrick, and Special Projects Liaison Doug Bach |
| 10:15-10:30 | Break | |
| 10:30-11:45 | World Premiere. Bursting the Bubble: Kansas City's Bid to Host the 2026 FIFA World Cup | Katherine Holland, Executive Director KC2026 |
| Noon-1:30 | KACM Membership Luncheon ($35.00) OR - Lunch on Your Own | Oread Hotel Anywhere |
| 1:30-3:00 | Breakout Sessions | Please attend 2/3 breakout topics. Each session is 45 minutes |
| Session 1 | Mystery Theater: The Status of Attainable Childcare in Kansas | Childcare Aware KS: Tanya Koehn, Director of Community & Family Services, and Sarah Minshull, Director of Innovation, Programs & Strategy Lucas Neece, Grant Manager, Kansas Children's Cabinet & Trust Fund Jeremy Fite, Executive Director Hilltop Child Development Center, Lawrence KS |
| Session 2 | Casting Call. Finding and Retaining Talent of Emerging Leaders | Brady Fisher, KU MPA Fellow Class 2024, LKM Brad Harris KU MPA Fellow Class of 2024, City of Lawrence Sonia Khosla, Emerging Leaders Academy Graduate, December 2022, Communications Specialist Johnson County Mental Health Center |
| Session 3 | Set Design. What you Need to Know about Alternative Delivery | A Panel Discussion Using Transportation, Vertical, Water/Wastewater Projects as Examples of Alternative Delivery. TranSystems |
| 3:00-5:00 | Planning and Meeting Time for Committees | Various locations |
| 5:30- 8:00 | KACM Foundation Fundraiser ($35.00) | Carnegie Building 200 W. 9th Street |
| MARCH 31ST | ||
| 8:45-9:00 | Welcome and Announcements | |
| 9:00-10:15 | The Kansas Legislative Session. Comedy, Horror, or Drama for Local Government? | Spencer Duncan Government Affairs Director, League of Kansas Municipalities Nathan Eberline, Executive Director, League of Kansas Municipalities |
| 10:15-10:30 | Break | |
| 10:30-11:45 | On Location. How Local Communities are Preparing for the Impact of Economic Development | Moderator: Hannes Zacharias, Professor of Practice, KU SPAA Michael Brungardt, City Administrator, DeSoto Kansas Nick Hernandez, City Manager, Dodge City Kansas Mike Schrage, City Manager, Salina Kansas Robert Skipper, Member Tourism and Visitor Board, Coffey County Kansas |
| 11:45-noon | Conference Wrap Up | |
| Noon-1:30 | Women Leading Government Luncheon | Oread Hotel |