The call for host organizations for the 2025 and 2026 ICMA Global Exchanges is open. This annual event, which has been a key activity for ICMA’s Global Engagement Committee, is now a cornerstone of ICMA's Global Engagement Strategy, promoting global knowledge exchange and networking among local government professionals worldwide. 

Applications are open July 17-August 16, 2024, and any community or local government association is eligible to apply. Some past hosts of this event include

• Exello.net (Association of Flemish General Managers) in Belgium.
• The Royal Commission for AlUla in Saudi Arabia.
• The cities of Puerto Princesa and Tagbilaran, Philippines.
• The City Managers’ Association of Rajasthan in Jaipur, India.
• The Association of Public Administration in Romania (AAPRO).
• The Czech City Managers’ Association in the Czech Republic.
• The Dominican Federation of Municipalities (FEDOMU) in the Dominican Republic.

The proposed ICMA Global Exchange is an inclusive event open to all ICMA members, offering a week of immersive programming.  

Proposals for 2025 Global Exchange 

ICMA requests that host organizations plan for approximately 5 business days of programming. Ideally, this will include a 1–2-day conference of the host organization and 2-3 days of study tours, site visits, or other opportunities to interact with local government leaders and staff. However, if the potential host organization does not have a suitable conference, the conference days could be substituted with additional meetings, tours, or other opportunities to learn about the daily activities of a local government professional in the community. Additionally, we hope to host a half-day of ICMA-led programming in coordination with the host organization. Initial details of the schedule should be clearly outlined even if all meetings/events are not finalized at the time of application.  

Expected Audience 

ICMA membership is open to local and regional government leaders and professionals at all levels, as well as interested stakeholders, including representatives from municipal associations, academic institutes, research organizations, and non-profit associations. While many of the participants are expected to be from U.S. communities, there will likely be interest from ICMA’s strategic allies and partners around the world. Recent delegations included participation from Australia, Ukraine, Eswatini, and the Philippines, among other countries. 

For 2025, the plans outlined in the application should account for about 50-60 attendees plus any partners of the attendees that wish to join. Indicate if you are able to host additional attendees in your application. 

Proposals for 2026 Global Exchange 

The 2026 ICMA Global Exchange will be hosted in conjunction with the ICMA Executive Board meeting. The ICMA Executive Board meets outside of the United States every 3 years. Board meetings typically include a welcome reception, two full days of meetings, and two group dinners. ICMA will pay for the costs associated with the board meeting but will need assistance in securing appropriate venues.  

Following the ICMA Executive Board meeting, the host organization’s proposal should include around 3 days of study tours, site visits, or other opportunities to interact with local government leaders and staff. Initial details of the schedule should be clearly outlined even if all meetings/events are not finalized at the time of application. 

Expected Audience 

ICMA membership is open to local and regional government leaders and professionals at all levels, as well as interested stakeholders, including representatives from municipal associations, academic institutes, research organizations, and nonprofit associations. While many of the participants are expected to be from U.S. communities, there will likely be interest from ICMA’s strategic allies and partners around the world. Recent delegations included participation from Australia, Ukraine, Eswatini, and the Philippines, among other countries.  

For the 2026 meeting, the delegation will include about 50-60 attendees plus partners as well as ICMA’s 21-member executive board and any partners of executive board members that wish to join. As a result, the 2026 delegation could reach up to approximately 80 participants. Please ensure that your application can accommodate a group of this size. 

Interaction with Local Government Professionals 

One of the key purposes of the global knowledge exchange is for the ICMA delegation to interact with local government leaders and professionals in the global exchange location. Ensure your proposal details for either the 2025 or 2026 global exchange indicate how local government leaders and their staff in your jurisdiction will participate in the meeting and interact with ICMA participants. 

Planning and Cost 

Host organizations should identify 1-2 contact people from their staff for event planning purposes. ICMA staff will assist in the planning and marketing of the event, but we will rely on local expertise to ensure a mutually beneficial global knowledge exchange. Attendees will pay for their travel and other expenses. Host organizations should clearly indicate if they will be providing any meals, transportation or accommodation for the attendees in the application.  

Event Time 

2025 

For 2025, there are no expectations for the event proposal to occur at a specific time of the year. We expect that potential host organizations will propose a time that makes sense for them given their other organizational events.  

2026 

For 2026, the event proposal should be between December 2025 and May 2026.   

For Both 2025 and 2026 

Proposals should not conflict with the ICMA Annual Conference, the Thanksgiving (U.S.) holiday, or any other major global holidays. The 2025 annual conference is October 25-29, 2025. The Thanksgiving (U.S.) holiday will be celebrated on November 27, 2025. The 2026 annual conference is October 17-21, 2026, and the Thanksgiving (U.S.) holiday will be celebrated on November 26, 2026. 

Apply Today 

If you are interested in applying to host the 2025 or 2026 ICMA Global Exchange, complete the form.

Individuals with questions about process and requirements can contact Jeanette Gass, senior program manager, global engagement, at jgass@icma.org. Questions must be received in writing. Answers to the questions will be posted on this page as we receive questions.

All completed applications will be reviewed by the ICMA staff and the Global Engagement Committee. All applicants will receive a notice of decision. 

FAQs About the Call for Host Applications