San Luis, Arizona — More than 1,000 city and town officials, legislators, business leaders and guests from across the state gathered in Oro Valley, Arizona last month for the League of Arizona Cities and Towns Annual Conference, held August 22-25 at El Conquistador Resort.
Among those in attendance were Mayor Gerardo Sanchez, Vice Mayor Maria Cecilia Ramos, Council Member Matias Rosales, and City Manager Tadeo A. De La Hoya of the City of San Luis. The conference is held annually in late summer and provides a unique opportunity for local officials to gather together to attend training sessions designed to aid in more effective and efficient management of Arizona’s municipalities, to hear from state and legislative officials, as well as share common concerns and ideas for problem solving.
“It is great to see the different communities and agencies working together to better one another,” stated Mayor Sanchez. Several of the topics discussed will be considered to be implemented in San Luis, he added.
The 2017 League Conference highlights included:
- An opening general session on Wednesday, August 23 which included a keynote address and the annual Parade of Flags, highlighting Arizona’s cities and towns. Speakers from the opening general session included:
- Lowell Catlett, Keynote Speaker
- National League of Cities President and City of Chandler Mayor Jay Tibshraeny
- Presentations of the 2017 League Legislative Awards, which honored local government supports from the state legislature.
- Presentation of the 2017 League Service Award Winners, which honored mayors and members who have served in office for eight, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 32 years.
- More than 25 education sessions on topics ranging from fundamentals of local government such as budget and Open Meeting Law to sessions on Water and Wastewater, Economic Development, and Council-Manager relations.