2026 Winter Conference Resources

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WEDNESDAY 2/25 LOCATION SESSION/EVENT RESOURCE

     
12 PM - 5PM Atrium Lobby Registration/Check-in  
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Leander Choate Exhibitor Set up  
3:00 PM - 4:15 PM John Lynch/Lefevre/Dixie From Me to We: Developing the Behaviors of an Ideal Team Player | Presenter Sarah Schillerstrom Slides
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Leander Choate/Paul L 1st Time Attendee Meet & Greet + Cocktails  
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Leander Choate/Paul L Dinner  
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Leander Choate/Paul L Welcome Reception and Karoake with our Sponsors  
THURSDAY 2/26 LOCATION SESSION/EVENT RESOURCE
7:30 AM - 8:45 AM Paul L  Breakfast  
8:45 AM - 9:00 AM Paul L Welcome and Introductions  
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Paul L Opening Keynote: Revolutionary Leader: How to Lead Authentically in a World that Sets You Up to Follow | Keynote Speaker Shereen Thor Slides
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM Leander Choate Beverage and Snack Break with the Exhibitors Exhibit Guide
10:00 AM - 4:40 PM   Career Counseling - Appoint only - email WCMA@niu.edu to schedule an appointment  
10:30 AM -11: 45 AM B.F. Carter/Anna M./Evelyn Strategic Resilience: The Importance of Long-Term Financial Planning for Local Governments | Presenters: Brandon Scruggs and Chris Strom Slides
10:30 AM - 11:45 AM John Lynch/Lefevre/Dixie Navigating the Politics of Professional Management | Presenter: Michael Ford Slides
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM Paul L Lunch & WCMA Business Meeting & ICMA Update Slides
1:45 PM - 3:00 PM B.F. Carter/Anna M./Evelyn Beyond “How Can I Help?”: Elevating the Customer Experience in Municipal Services | Presenter: Rebecca Grill Slides
1:45 PM - 3:00 PM John Lynch/Lefevre/Dixie Total Rewards in Public Sector - Do You Have the Right Incentive Model for a Mixed Generation Workforce? | Presenters: Sandra Matz and Shanon Swaney Slides
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM Leander Choate Beverage and Snack Break with the Exhibitors Exhibit Guide
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM B.F. Carter/Anna M./Evelyn Round-table Discussions for Administrators  
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM John Lynch/Lefevre/Dixie Speedcoaching  
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Meet in Marriott Hotel Lobby 5K run walk Route
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM   Dinner on your own: https://www.visitoshkosh.com/food-drink/restaurants/  
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM The Varsity Club
570 N Main St & Fletch's Local Tap House 566 N Main St
WCMA Social Event  
FRIDAY 2/27 LOCATION SESSION/EVENT RESOURCE
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Paul L Breakfast  
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM Paul L Legislative Update with Jerry DeSchane and Mark D. O'Connell  
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM    Break  
9:45 AM - 10:45 AM Paul L Beyond Right and Wrong: Decisions, Dilemmas, and Dialogue | Presenter Jessica Cowles Slides
11:00 AM -12:00 PM Paul L The Strategic Pause: From Constant Crisis to Calculated Impact | Keynote Speaker Seth Winterhalter Slides