Explore the Local Government “Performance Dividend”

Described as “committed to rigorous management and performance in all areas of government leading to countless improvements in delivering services to residents,” the city of Austin, Texas (ranked No. 2 in overall management in 2000 by Governing magazine and Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs), provides the perfect backdrop for Best Practices 2005. This outstanding educational opportunity, which celebrates the difference that professional management makes in local government service delivery, will be held at the Hilton Austin, April 27–28, with special preconference forums and workshops taking place beginning April 25.

In partnership with the City of Austin, the Texas City Management Association, and the Innovation Groups, Best Practices 2005 will feature the in-depth, case-study examination of eight successful local government programs, plus presentations, workshops, and other educational and networking opportunities. Through facilitated small-group discussions and comprehensive written materials (available only to registrants), participants will gain a full understanding of what was accomplished in each locality and take home a wealth of ideas and approaches that can be put to use in their communities.

 

Who Should Attend?

Best Practices is the ideal, low-cost professional development event for managers and staff at all levels of local government.   This year’s program will be of particular interest to:

  • Chief administrative officers
  • Assistant chief administrator officers
  • Department heads
  • Information technology directors
  • Personnel/benefits managers
  • Staff engaged in organizational reengineering
  • Staff engaged in interagency partnerships

Note:   Special discounts to attend Best Practices 2005 are available to teams of two or more registrants from the same community and to attendees from any community in Texas.

What Will Be Offered?

Practitioners and partners from each featured locality will lead interactive discussions with participants on:

  • Breaking through governmental bureaucracy to realize tangible savings and increased productivity
  • Developing strategic partnerships for dealing with spiraling health insurance costs
  • Increasing resident access to local government services through technology enhancements
  • Redeveloping vacant property to stimulate the production of new affordable housing
  • Using performance measurement data to successfully analyze operations, enhance decision making, and improve communication between the local government and its residents
  • Maximizing the economic challenges of military base closings and reuse.

 

Best Practices 2005 also will offer…

  • Comprehensive workshops on discovering your leadership strengths (ICMA University), strategic scenario planning (Red Oak Consulting), and knowing what your citizens value and expect (Innovation Groups' Institute for Building Organizational Capacity).
  • Marketplace of Ideas roundtables and special concurrent sessions.
  • Study tours of innovative projects implemented throughout the Austin area.

In addition to the general management sessions highlighted during Best Practices 2005, the program also will feature two forums targeted to individuals involved in performance measurement (cosponsored by ICMA’s Center for Performance Measurement) and the management of on-base military communities (cosponsored by the United States Army Installation Management Agency). For a complete agenda visit HYPERLINK www.icma.org/military HYPERLINK "http://www.icma.org/military" www.icma.org/military.Click here for more detailed information.