NEW: IMLA will require a COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the start of the Conference.

With our first in-person Conference since 2019 quickly approaching, IMLA has  been taking into consideration the health and safety of our staff and our attendees. Like so many others who host events, we are struggling with how best to make attendees and our staff feel safe. There can be no guarantees, but in the best interests of the health and safety of our staff and members, IMLA’s Board of Directors has made the decision to require a COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the start of the Conference.  This decision tracks similar determinations by many other organizations and recognizes that people have options regarding their own personal health and safety, including whether to be vaccinated.  By allowing an option to show a negative test or to choose to attend virtually, IMLA  hopes that it recognizes the right of our members to choose an option that makes them feel most comfortable while recognizing the interests of our staff and Conference attendees.  This decision does not preclude a further requirement that attendees wear masks at our event whether required by the hotel or directives by state or local health authorities or in IMLA’s conclusion regarding what will best protect staff and attendees.

We appreciate your understanding in in our attempts to keep all of our staff and Conference attendees safe. Thank you again for all your support of IMLA.

*sessions for both in person and virtual are tentative and subject to change as are the exact number of sessions being offered.

Annual Conference FAQ

1. Is the Annual Conference still happening in-person this year?

Yes! IMLA is planning on holding an in-person conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota from September 29th – October 3rd!

2. What is the expected attendance?

It is always hard to gauge attendance ahead of time. In the past, our annual conference has drawn approximately 750-900 local government attorneys.

3. Are networking events still happening?

Yes! IMLA is planning to provide in person networking opportunities, including a Welcome Reception, first time attendee reception, State and WONK breakfasts, as well as coffee breaks. We will follow local public health and CDC guidance available at the time of the event. While we hope we’ll be back to “normal” for the event, we expect that most of us will want to exercise caution regarding our own health and take the necessary steps we feel are important to maintaining our personal health and safety; including wearing masks, maintaining our own acceptable space and washing our hands frequently. IMLA will make available as much information as we have about the seating arrangements for meetings and meals, and we encourage attendees to access the Hilton website for information regarding what the hotel is doing and to access the Minneapolis Health Department website to understand its requirements.

4. If food is being served, how is that happening?

Yes, at this time we expect food will be served at both breakfasts and lunches, as well as during receptions. Should events occur requiring us to change these plans we will follow local health requirements and try to make the event an enjoyable and valuable one for all of our guests. The hotel has procedures in place to increase safety. Regardless, of any changed circumstances, IMLA will follow public health guidance at the time of the event, but you must be the judge of your own safety.

5. What measures are the hotel taking to ensure safety?

The Hilton has implemented vigorous cleaning and sanitization protocols and also has created an enhanced event space playbook. The Hilton also offers contactless check-in. For details about the hotel’s health and safety precautions, click here.

You can also take a look at Minnesota Stay Safe and Minnesota Stay Safe Guidance to see local regulations.

6. Are there any requirements from IMLA? Masks? Vaccine?

IMLA’s Board of Directors has made the decision to require a COVID-19 vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the start of the Conference. This decision does not preclude a further requirement that attendees wear masks at our event whether required by the hotel or directives by state or local health authorities or IMLA’s conclusion regarding what will best protect staff and attendees. IMLA is following all public health guidance that will be in place at the time of the event. If masks are required for indoor gatherings at the time of the event, IMLA will require that attendees wear facial coverings. As we learn more from public health officials, we will share that information. As of now, we encourage guests to bring a mask and consider your own health and that of others as you attend the various meetings and functions.

7. I heard this was a hybrid event, what does that mean?

Due to the success of our fully virtual program, we are now offering a virtual option alongside our in-person event. We anticipate making at least 66% of CLE programming available virtually. IMLA will attempt to replicate in virtual format the CLE approved programming offered as part of its in-person Event in conjunction with the in-person Event, but we are not yet guaranteeing a certain number of CLE hours. We will do our best to get as many sessions available virtually as we can. You may sign up now for either in-person or virtual attendance.

IMLA Conference App

The mobile app is the method of delivery for all speaker material.

IMLA will be using a mobile app at the 2021 Annual Conference! IMLA Conference attendees will have the program, speakers, papers, exhibitors, sponsors, maps, attendee list and much much more directly on their iPhone, Android, iPad and/or tablet (must have Google Play Store or App Store to download the App)

*The app can only be downloaded on your phone, iPad, or tablet that have the Google Play Store or App Store.

Please note sessions for both in person and virtual are tentative and subject to change as are the exact number of sessions being offered.

Call for Proposals

This call encourages professionals working on issues important to local government lawyers to submit proposals to present at IMLA’s largest CLE Event. Take this opportunity to share your successes and strategies with local government attorneys from all across the United States and Canada.

The registration you are purchasing is either for an in person program or virtual program associated with our in person event.

Registration Form

Registration Online

IMLA Virtual Annual Conference

• Access to all 26+ video / teleconference sessions.*
• NEW: Access to all Institute For Local Government Lawyers (ILGL) sessions via teleconference.
• Access to any virtually recorded sessions once the Conference has concluded.
• Access to the IMLA Mobile App
• Ability to ask questions live via the IMLA Mobile App.
• Pricing for your entire office!

Office Pricing
If you’d like to have a price for your whole office to access the conference virtually and receive a discount on attending the conference in person, contact us at info@imla.org.

Program

Registration

Hilton Minneapolis

(612) 376-1000

IMLA has secured a block of sleeping rooms and a special room rate at the Hilton Minneapolis, a first class facility, in Minneapolis, MN.

In order to secure this block of specially priced sleeping rooms and to keep meeting costs to a minimum, IMLA has entered into a total meeting package and contract with the Hilton Minneapolis. If you choose to make your sleeping room reservations outside the IMLA group block, such as through an Internet reservation system or with a discount coupon, we need to advise you that IMLA can suffer significant financial penalties. IMLA can be held financially responsible for the attrition or difference between what was promised in the group block and what was actually utilized.

To allow IMLA to continue to provide a reasonable conference registration fee, we need your help in limiting our financial exposure. Please take advantage of the special room rate and block of sleeping rooms we have negotiated and make your reservation.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

FAQ

What measures are the hotel taking to ensure safety?

The Hilton has implemented vigorous cleaning and sanitization protocols and also has created an enhanced event space playbook. The Hilton also offers contactless check-in. For details about the hotel’s health and safety precautions, click here.

You can also take a look at Minnesota Stay Safe and Minnesota Stay Safe Guidance to see local regulations.

Are there any requirements from IMLA? Masks? Vaccine?

IMLA’s Board of Directors has made the decision to require a COVID-19 vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the start of the Conference. This decision does not preclude a further requirement that attendees wear masks at our event whether required by the hotel or directives by state or local health authorities or IMLA’s conclusion regarding what will best protect staff and attendees. IMLA is following all public health guidance that will be in place at the time of the event. If masks are required for indoor gatherings at the time of the event, IMLA will require that attendees wear facial coverings. As we learn more from public health officials, we will share that information. As of now, we encourage guests to bring a mask and consider your own health and that of others as you attend the various meetings and functions.

Are networking events still happening?

Yes! IMLA is planning to provide in person networking opportunities, including a Welcome Reception, first time attendee reception, State and WONK breakfasts, as well as coffee breaks. We will follow local public health and CDC guidance available at the time of the event. While we hope we’ll be back to “normal” for the event, we expect that most of us will want to exercise caution regarding our own health and take the necessary steps we feel are important to maintaining our personal health and safety; including wearing masks, maintaining our own acceptable space and washing our hands frequently. IMLA will make available as much information as we have about the seating arrangements for meetings and meals, and we encourage attendees to access the Hilton website for information regarding what the hotel is doing and to access the Minneapolis Health Department website to understand its requirements.

If food is being served, how is that happening?

Yes, at this time we expect food will be served at both breakfasts and lunches, as well as during receptions. Should events occur requiring us to change these plans we will follow local health requirements and try to make the event an enjoyable and valuable one for all of our guests. The hotel has procedures in place to increase safety. Regardless, of any changed circumstances, IMLA will follow public health guidance at the time of the event, but you must be the judge of your own safety.

IMLA Events

WONK Breakfast

Thursday, September 30, 2021 – 7:45AM to 8:45AM

Advance registration is required. For the WONK breakfast you will sign up for a table based on subject matter and sit down with the subject matter expert to enjoy a meal and discuss areas of interest. You can register for this breakfast online. If you already registered and would like to add the breakfast, please email trina@imla.org.

Table Topics:

• Innovation – Legal Finance Solutions to Assist Local Governments
• Sustainable Solutions: Energy and Infrastructure
• Setting Up Your System of Record
• Governance. Process. And Electeds. Oh, My!
• Using Prison Calls to Win your Wrongful Conviction Case
• The Secret to Change Management: How to Maximize Adoption When Implementing New Software
• Empowering Digital Transformation: Simple Steps for Successful Technology Adoption
• Qualified Immunity (QI)-The Government is My Partner in Good Times and Bad
• Keep a Pulse on Emerging Issues
• Regulating Short Term Rentals

State/Provincial Breakfast

Friday, October 1, 2021 – 8:00AM to 9:00AM

Advance registration is required. The State/Provincial Breakfast with give attendees an opportunity to sit down with fellow attendees from their area. If you already registered and would like to add the breakfast, please email trina@imla.org.

IMLA’s Annual Softball Game

Friday, October 1, 2021 – 5:00PM to 8:00PM

Attendees will be bused from the hotel to Neiman Park to play a game of Softball!

Land Use Tours

Saturday, October 2, 2021 – 2:00PM to 5:30PM

Advance registration is required. More information to come. If you already registered and would like to add the tour, please email trina@imla.org.

Interested in Sponsoring?

IMLA has a wide variety of sponsorship opportunities as well as customizable options. If you are interested, please contact Caroline Storer.  At IMLA’s Annual Conferences, we generally get anywhere from 750-850 attendees.

2021 Minnesota Day

September 29, 2021

Interested in attending?

Click here to access the MN registration form. Please send the completed form to trina@imla.org.

Minnesota Day Agenda

9:00AM-9:20AM
Registration and Networking

9:20AM- 9:30AM
Opening Remarks and Announcements

9:30AM-12:00PM
Tribal Law and Cities
Speakers: Joseph Bauerkemper & Tadd Johnson 
The session on “Tribal Law and Cities” will address intergovernmental relationships between tribal nations and municipalities, and the complex contexts that enable, limit, and shape those relationships. Emphasizing federal Indian policy, tribal-state relations, treaty obligations, and local government engagement, the session will provide participants with both conceptual and practical insight into how tribes and cities relate to one another.

12:00PM-1:00PM
Lunch & Conversation
Enjoy lunch and explore ways to participate in your city client’s equity work.
Maria Cisnero &, Jared D. Shepherd

1:00PM-2:30PM
Guns and Cities: Intersection of 1st and 2nd Amendment
Speakers: Cliff Berg, Anissa Mediger, Steven Frazer & Stephanie Angolkar (Moderator) 
This moderated presentation will provide a multi-faceted approach to the many issues that arise when examining the intersection of the First and Second Amendments. Our panel consists of city attorneys from both the criminal prosecution and civil litigation perspectives, as well a police chief with extensive experience in civil disturbance response. This presentation will answer questions about demonstrator rights, rights to carry firearms even when protesting, and considerations for prosecutors when dealing with crimes involving firearms, civil liability concerns, and potential strategies for judicial intervention. The audience will be invited to submit additional questions for consideration by the panel.

2:30PM-2:45PM
Break

2:45PM-3:45PM
Hot Topics In Minnesota Employment Law
Speakers: Jana Sullivan & Susan M. Tindal
This session will explore hot topics in Minnesota employment law, including police PTSD issues, police misconduct issues (including EEOC/MDHR trends, best practices for investigating claims, and new police arbitration panel), employee handbooks, sexual harassment standards, the post-pandemic workplace, and anything else hot off the press!

3:45PM-5:15PM
Emerging Issues for the Minnesota City Attorney
Speakers: Jared D. Shepherd, Pam Whitmore, Susan Naughton & David S. Kendall
Explore emerging issues that, as a city attorney, you encounter in your practice, including: changes to the Open Meeting Law, unexpected pandemic consequences, and recent civil cases that may have an impact on how cities operate.

5:15PM-5:30PM
Closing Comments

5:30PM

Minnesota Day Reception
Avoid traffic and network with your colleagues over appetizers and a cash bar at this reception just for Minnesota Day attendees.

LMC Resource

Ashley Nelson
Event Coordinator
(651) 281-1258 or (800) 925-1122
anelson@lmc.org

2021 Annual Conference – Virtual Canadian Program

October 14-15, 2021

See below to find rates for you and your entire office! We also have bundles available for those who have signed up for our in-person and virtual Annual Conference.

Interested in attending?

Please send the completed form to trina@imla.org.

Virtual Canadian Program Agenda