2026 WCMA Summer Conference Resource Page

Conference Schedule and Program

Participant List

Exhibit Guide


Weds. June 24
Time
 Event Location Resource
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Golf Outing Forest Hills Golf Club  
11:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration/Check-in Riverside Pre-Function  
1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Exhibitor Set-up Riverside Ballroom A  
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

 Sightseeing Boat Tour Meet at La Crosse Queen Dock  
5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. First Time Attendee Meet and Greet Riverside Ballroom B/C  
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Dinner Riverside Ballroom A/B/C  
7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Welcome Reception Riverside Ballroom A/B/C and Riverside Terrace  
Thursday, June 25
Time
 Event/Session Location Resource(s)
7:00 - 7:45 a.m. 5K Fun Run Meet in Radisson Lobby Route Map
8:00 - 8:50 a.m. Breakfast Riverside Ballroom B/C  
8:50 – 9:00 a.m. Welcome and Introductions Riverside Ballroom B/C  
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Opening Keynote: You Management: Strategies to Avoid Burnout, Boost Resilience, and Accelerate Success by Colette Carlson Riverside Ballroom B/C qr code
10:00 – 10:30 a.m. Snack and Beverage Break Riverside A  
10:30 – 11:45 a.m. Concurrent Session 1: Own the Narrative: Crisis Communication Strategies for Local Government Leaders Meeting Room A/B Session slides
10:30 – 11:45 a.m. Concurrent Session 2: Public-Private Partnerships that “Wow” Meeting Room C/D Session slides
11:45 - 1:15 p.m. Lunch, Business Meeting, Awards, and ICMA Update Riverside B/C  
1:30 – 2:45 p.m. Mid-Conference Keynote: Thoughts Become Things: Unlock the Power of Leadership by Melanie Santostefano Riverside B/C  
2:45 – 3:15 p.m. Snack and Beverage Break Riverside A  
3:15 – 4:30 p.m. Concurrent Session 1: Do you REALLY need a Strategic Plan? Meeting Room A/B Session slides
3:15 – 4:30 p.m. Concurrent Session 2: I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now Meeting Room C/D  
5:30 - End of Game Take Me Out to the La Crosse Loggers Game! (5:30 p.m. Gates Open; 6:35 p.m.
First Pitch)
 Bus to Pick-Up at the
Front of La Crosse Center
  
Friday, June 26
Time
 Event/Session Location Resource
7:45 – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast Riverside B/C  
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Closing Keynote: Venting to Value: Turning Complaints into Action Training by Traci Austin Riverside B/C  
9:30– 9:45 a.m. Break Riverside B/C  
9:45 – 10:45 a.m. General Session Purpose, Positivity, and the Power to Stay: Rethinking Leadership Retention Riverside B/C  
10:45– 11:00 a.m. Break Riverside B/C  
11:00 - Noon League of WI Municipalities Update with Jerry Deschane & WI Counties Association Update with Mark O’Connell Riverside B/C