101st Annual Conference
2026 Annual Conference Preliminary Program
Agenda subject to change
Thursday, October 2
7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Conference Registration Open
Sponsored by:
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Professional Headshots
The LOC's professional conference photographer will be available in the Exhibit Hall to snap your photo. Don't miss this free opportunity to update your headshot.
7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Trade Show & Continental Breakfast
More than 78 organizations are exhibiting this year, showcasing innovative products and services that can help make your city a great place to live and work.
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. OMA and OCCMA Joint Workshop: Whose Job Is It Anyway? A City Hall Compatibility Game
This workshop is not included in registration and has an additional fee of $100.
Get ready for a lively, interactive workshop where mayors and city managers team up to test their knowledge—and maybe learn something new—about each other's roles. Inspired by the classic Newlywed Game, this session pairs municipal leaders in a friendly competition to answer questions like: Who handles this? Is it the mayor’s call or the manager’s responsibility?
Each round brings laughs, learning, and lively discussion as pairs reveal their answers, compare notes, and spark conversation at their tables about how responsibilities are shared (or not!) across cities. With music, game cards, and an energetic MC to keep things moving, this workshop is designed to break the ice, build understanding, and bring clarity to the complex relationship between elected officials and appointed administrators.
- Facilitator: Henry Balensifer, Mayor, Warrenton
- Facilitator: Nina Vetter, City Manager, Newport
- Speakers:
- McKennon McDonald, Mayor, Pendleton
- Robb Corbett, City Manager, Pendleton
- Katie Findling, Mayor, Garibaldi
- Jake Boone, City Manager, Garibaldi
- Scott Keyser, Mayor, Molalla
- Dan Huff, City Manager, Molalla
- Hilary Malcomson, Mayor, Lafayette
- Branden Dross, City Administrator, Lafayette
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Councilors Workshop: "Civility, Ideology, & Politics"
This workshop is not included in registration and has an additional fee of $100.
The “Civility, Ideology, & Politics” workshop will examine effective processes and procedures for discussing, negotiating, and agreeing or disagreeing on policy and implementation in an ever-growing environment of distrust, competing ideology and interests, and misinformation and confusion. This workshop will also explore how to care for yourself while caring for those around you. City leaders cannot serve from an empty vessel - we must care for ourselves and those around us as we thoughtfully serve our communities with strong partnerships, collaboration, and the best of intentions.
Speaker: Kelley Packer, Executive Director, Association of Idaho Cities
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. OCCMA Business Meeting
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. OMA Business Meeting
12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. People of Color Caucus Business Meeting and Lunch
The purpose of the Caucus is to:
- Promote positive and effective relationships among city officials of color, their communities, political leaders, the League of Oregon Cities, and its affiliate entities (such as the Oregon Mayors Association, City/County Managers Association, City Attorneys Association);
- Build and increase capacity of city officials of color and support a pipeline for people of color to engage in and serve in local government;
- Serve as a resource to the League of Oregon Cities in the formulation of its policy agenda; and
- Prepare and advance city officials of color to serve in positions of leadership within the League of Oregon Cities and its affiliate organizations.
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch and Trade Show
Lunch is provided for attendees in the trade show. Grab lunch, visit with your colleagues, and learn how these vendors can help your city achieve its goals.
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Local City Tours
Pre-registration required. Tours are not included in the price of registration and have an additional $50 fee. Visit the conference registration booth if you haven’t pre-registered. If you are pre-registered, the tour will be listed on the back of your badge.
- Oregon Zoo Tour
Take a walk on the wild side with a tour of one of the most visited cultural landmarks in the Pacific Northwest, where more than 1,800 animals from around the world live in thoughtfully designed, immersive habitats. Nestled on 26 acres in Washington Park, the Oregon Zoo blends conservation, education, and fun—perfect for families, nature lovers, and curious minds alike.
Tour buses will start loading at 12:00 p.m. outside the front entrance of the hotel and will depart at 12:15 p.m. Please wear appropriate clothes and walking shoes. Lunch will be provided onsite.
Sponsored by:
- Future OMSI District Walking Tour
The future OMSI District will be a vibrant, inclusive new neighborhood and community destination rooted in innovation, culture, arts, and science learning in Portland's Central City. The OMSI District will restore Tribal presence on the Willamette River, and serve as a platform for innovation for the city, state, and region. Join OMSI's Vice President of Real Estate & Facilities, Leah Nanpei, for a walking tour of the future development sites.
Tour buses will start loading at 12:45 p.m. outside the front entrance of the hotel and will depart at 1:00 p.m. Please wear appropriate clothes and walking shoes.
Sponsored by:
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. BREAKOUT SESSIONS
- Oregon’s Sanctuary Law: Legal Landscape and City Responsibilities
Sanctuary policies continue to raise complex legal and political questions for Oregon cities and counties. This session will provide an overview of the history of Oregon’s sanctuary law and the current legal framework surrounding sanctuary jurisdiction laws nationwide. The session is designed to help city officials understand recent legal developments, providing helpful background and guidance that can be applied in new and novel contexts and situations in this evolving area of the law.
Speakers:- Anit Jindal, Attorney, Markowtiz Herbold PC
- Erin Dawson, Attorney, Markowtiz Herbold PC
Sponsored by:
- Public Meetings Law (Oregon Government Ethics Commission Certified)
State law (ORS 192.700) requires every member of a city council, committee, or commission with total expenditures for a fiscal year of $1 million or more to attend or view an Oregon Government Ethics Commission approved training on the public meetings law once per term. Learn about public meetings law and complete your training requirement.
Speakers:- Jayme Pierce, General Counsel, LOC
- Robin Klein, Assistant General Counsel, LOC
- Legislative Session Update
Join the LOC’s advocacy team for a comprehensive review of the outcomes and impacts on cities from the 2025 long session and the August 29 special session.
Sponsored by:
2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Networking Snack Break
Sponsored by:
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Welcome and Keynote Speaker Jason Dorsey
Jason is the President of The Center for Generational Kinetics and a leading expert on Gen Z, Millennials, and the future of work. Drawing on insights from more than 120 global studies, he helps organizations turn generational differences into a strategic advantage. His dynamic, story-driven presentations provide practical strategies for improving communication, performance, and retention across all generations. Jason’s keynotes are designed to inspire and equip leaders to build stronger teams and cultures for the future.
Sponsored By:
4:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Welcome Reception
Start your evening with our first social event of the 2025 conference! Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and beverages* as you network with colleagues. (*No-host bar)
**Please Note – badges must be presented for admittance. Our attending city officials and government representatives are invited to join.
Sponsored by:
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. LOC Nominating Committee Meeting
First, the committee will hear from candidates for the 2026 LOC Board of Directors as they present their qualifications for service on the League’s governing body. The committee will then prepare a proposed slate for a vote by the full membership during Saturday morning’s annual membership meeting.
6:15 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. Dinner on Your Own
7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Caucus Mixer
The Women's Caucus and People of Color Caucus - proud hosts of the always-popular LOC Mixer - invite you to unwind with tempting desserts and a no-host bar. Mix and mingle with colleagues from every corner of Oregon, forge fresh connections, play BINGO, and vie to win one of numerous Stay & Visit Packages valued at $100-$500 to enjoy in one of our beautiful Oregon cities.
Friday, October 3
7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration Open
The registration desk will move upstairs to the conference center lobby after 2 p.m.
7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast with Trade Show
Enjoy breakfast while visiting the trade show. We have set this dedicated time aside prior to the day’s festivities to give you the opportunity to visit with the businesses and agencies that serve local government.
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Small Cities Networking
An opportunity for cities with a population less than 7,500 to network and have a conversation with peers about issues specific to small cities.
Sponsored by:
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Medium Cities Networking
An opportunity for cities with a population of 7,500 to 25,000 to network and have a conversation with peers about issues specific to medium-sized cities.
Sponsored by: