CGMC 2026 Fall Conference

Description

Join city leaders from throughout Greater Minnesota for our annual Fall Conference featuring educational presentations, networking opportunities, and discussion of the CGMC's 2027 policy priorities. The Fall Conference is open to CGMC members and prospective members from cities throughout Greater Minnesota, as well as members of the Greater Minnesota Partnership. There are no opportunities for vendors or sponsors to attend or exhibit at the Fall Conference.

What to Expect

The two-day Fall Conference features speakers, presentations, and discussions focused on issues that matter to Greater Minnesota. Attendees will also have plenty of opportunities to socialize and network with other city leaders from throughout the state. Finally, members will discuss and vote on the CGMC policy platform heading into 2027.

Registration

Registration for the Fall Conference will open soon. Stay tuned!

Hotel Information

The CGMC has a block of rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn St. Cloud and the Residence Inn, which are both connected to the conference venue. Both room blocks will expire on October 12. 

• Click here to book under the CGMC block at the Hilton Garden Inn
• Click here to book under the CGMC block at the Residence Inn

Event Schedule

Please see the tentative schedule for the 2026 Fall Conference below. Times are subject to change.

Thursday, November 12

10am - Registration opens at the Park Event Center

Check in, get your conference materials, and get ready for the exciting and educational conference ahead!

11:30am - Lunch buffet opens

12pm - Conference welcome & introductions 

Kick off the conference with introductions and a preview of the conference sessions.

12:10pm - Election 2026: What Does it Mean for Greater Minnesota

The November 3 election will have far-reaching impacts on the dynamic at the state Capitol. CGMC Executive Director Bradley Peterson will unpack the election results, contextualize the outcome from a Greater Minnesota perspective, and preview the 2027 legislative session.

1pm - Powering the Future: What Cities Need to Know About Data Centers 2.0

Join a panel of experts from Freshwater, the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and CGMC members as they explore the complex considerations cities face when evaluating data center development and share practical insights to help local leaders make informed decisions. This work will build on a previous session from the 2025 CGMC Summer Conference and will include a discussion of the recently released data center development toolkit for local governments.

1:45pm - Break

2pm - Child Care is Infrastructure: What Local Leaders Can Do Now

Hear from Jeff Andrews, president of Business of Child Care, as he shares how cities can invest, organize, and take action to build a stronger, more resilient child care system. Business of Child Care works with cities to understand their current child care landscape as well as develop and implement a plan of action that benefits cities.

2:45pm - Break

3:15pm - If You Don’t Tell Your City’s Story, Who Will?

Every city needs a communications system, even if it does not have a communications team. Join public relations expert Ted Davis of Davis Communications Management, Inc. to learn how cities can build an effective communications system that can adapt to today's evolving information landscape.

4:15pm - Break and hotel check-in

5:00pm - Cocktail reception

Connect with fellow attendees and reflect on the day's programming over refreshments.

6:00pm - Dinner & keynote address from Tom Hauser

A veteran reporter who has won numerous awards during his career, including multiple Emmy Awards, Hauser has been covering Minnesota’s political scene for ABC5 EYEWITNESS NEWS since 1997. He will share his perspectives on the 2026 election, the past and future of Minnesota politics, and the challenges and joys of covering all of the action at the State Legislature.

Friday, November 13

8:00am - Breakfast

Fuel up and prepare for the second day of information-packed sessions!

8:30am - CGMC Labor & Employment session

9:15am - Wild Rice Sulfate & You!

Join CGMC Lobbyist Elizabeth Wefel and Flaherty & Hood Shareholder Attorney Daniel Marx for an update on the MPCA Wild Rice Sulfate Rule and its impacts on cities.

10:00am - Break

10:30am - CGMC membership meeting

Vote on the CGMC policy platform for 2027.

12pm - Conference adjourns

Depart with new ideas, resources, and connections.

Vendors/Sponsors

At this time, there are no opportunities for vendors or sponsors at the CGMC Fall Conference. Please reach out to Emma Cliff at etcliff@flaherty-hood.com with questions about future vendor or sponsor opportunities.

Conference Policies

By registering for the CGMC 2026 Fall Conference, you indicate that you have read and agree to the following:

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be sent via email to Emma Cliff at etcliff@flaherty-hood.com by Wednesday, October 28, to receive a refund and may be subject to a 3% transaction fee. If you need to cancel after October 28, we are not able to issue a refund, and you will be charged for the full amount. You may switch or substitute your registration at any time for no cost.

Photography/Video Policy

The Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) reserves the right to use any photograph or video taken at any event sponsored by the CGMC, without the expressed written permission of those in the photograph or video.