By Luke Fischer

No doubt we’ve reached the point in the year when many of the plates you’re balancing are in active spin mode.

Construction is beginning on that important street project. The ballfields are buzzing with enthusiastic athletes of all ages. Your elections team is planning for the fall midterms. And one of your council members comes up with the idea for a new city policy that no one saw coming, right?

While you might be inclined to simply fixate and single-mindedly plow ahead with keeping those plates moving, now is the perfect time to take a step back so you can hit the second half of the year at peak performance.

The 2026 LMC Annual Conference is just around the corner, and we’re excited to see you in Rochester June 24-26. Our theme this year is Power Up! Plug in. Recharge. Feel the electricity. Gain renewed energy from other attendees. Why is this important for you now?

Time to recharge. As a city leader, you spend a lot of your time taking care of others. It’s important that you stay grounded in your purpose for serving. The annual conference will give you the chance to reconnect with your “why” and the important impact you can have on your community.

Spark ideas for innovation. One of the best parts about local government is there are no secrets. With more than 24 educational breakout sessions on a wide array of topics, you’ll gain new ideas from your peers across the state on cybersecurity, data centers, combatting misinformation, using drones, community engagement, budgeting, emergency management, and more.

Strengthen your leadership. We all know leadership is a journey, not a destination. It takes work to keep your skills sharp and to stay on top of your game. Join us to develop skills to navigate challenges, make better informed decisions, and lead with greater confidence.

Perhaps most importantly, plug in. Community leadership is a team sport — and no one knows that better than your peers across the state. No single individual or city holds a monopoly on good ideas. Many of our successes come directly from learning and emanating the work of others.

I recently came across an article on the International City and County Management Association website that was published a few years ago on local government collaboration and its benefits. The piece started with a simple definition: “The essence of collaboration is working together to get something done that cannot be done working alone.”

We’re all familiar with the tools that are available to make these collaborations easy, including joint powers and shared services agreements. These collaborations are typically formalized and administered through contracts or memorandums of understanding. I have always believed, though, that true collaboration does not require signed papers or direct partnerships be effective. It also happens through networking with peers, resulting in shared experiences and achievements.

At the annual conference, you can tap into the collective power of your peers through networking, idea sharing, and meaningful conversations. Join us at a first-time attendee session, the Mayors Breakfast, GreenStep Cities meet-up, or other gatherings with people who have ideas to share and support to give.

Stay energized and resilient. You’ll learn how to sustain momentum, explore new approaches, and develop creative solutions to keep your city moving forward in the face of adversity. A preconference tour will provide insight into how the City of Rochester emphasizes employee wellness through its Wellbeing in Action program.

Empower your community. We’re all looking for strategies to build trust, connect with folks, and gather input from the public. At the annual conference, you’ll learn practical ideas that will help you better engage with your community. And you can celebrate the opportunity to power up and recharge through collaboration with your peers.

It doesn’t matter if this is your first annual conference or your 30th. This convening of local elected and appointed officials is for you. We’re expecting more than 500 people who share your passion, energy, and desire to improve the places they call home — and we know you’ll be in good company. We look forward to seeing you in Rochester!

Luke Fischer is executive director of the League of Minnesota Cities. Contact: [email protected] or (651) 281-1279.