Congress of cities: the total learning experience for local leaders.

Now, more than ever in these difficult economic times, the 2008 Congress of Cities, Nov. 11-15 in Orlando, Fla., is the place to be for public servants dedicated to serving America's local communities.

By leveraging the expertise and knowledge of its members and partners, NLC offers cutting-edge learning opportunities that build the capacity of both new and veteran city officials, staff and associates to deal with the present and future needs of their cities.

Everything local leaders do for their cities has to make more sense, and achieve more with fewer resources. Whether delegates access experiential learning opportunities that foster peer-to-peer knowledge sharing or engage in capacity building activities that strengthen their ability to meet the needs of citizens, Congress of Cities attendees know it is the learning event that meets all their needs.

Great Solutions to be Shared

When the City of Bluffton, Ind., was hit by a 100-year flood, Mayor Ted Ellis' first call was to a city that had survived a similar flood--a city whose story he had heard during an NLC conference. Their advice saved the City of Bluffton thousands of dollars and helped it cope more effectively with the disaster.

"The cost savings resulting from that single, serendipitous meeting exceeded the cost of attending NLC conferences for decades to come," said Mayor Ellis.

Delegates will return home from the 2008 Congress of Cities in Orlando with the knowledge to help cut costs, streamline program implementation, address constituent needs and create connections that will serve their cities for years to come.

Attendees will connect with more than 7,000 colleagues at the 2008 Congress of Cities and:

* Meet like-minded people dedicated to public service;

* Hear colleagues' solutions to the challenges facing cities, towns and villages; and

* Share solutions for making lives better in communities across America.

The Congress of Cities offers learning opportunities that appeal to all learning styles and meet the needs of practitioners working in municipalities.

"Every event at the Congress of Cities offers an opportunity for some type of solution-oriented learning. No matter how informal it appears to be," say conference planners.

Even special events are designed to provide delegates opportunities to reflect on the day's learning, network with each other in a more relaxed setting and gather ideas on how to showcase their own communities' best features for visitors.

The 2008 Congress of Cities connects delegates with:

* Experiential learning opportunities

* Mobile workshops

* Community service opportunities

* The NLC business meeting

* Capacity-building activities

* Leadership Training Institute Seminars

* Workshops

* General Sessions

* Exhibitor Solutions Theaters

* Peer-to-peer knowledge sharing

* Exposition hall

* Networking events

* Build your own workshops

* Constituency group and committee meetings

* Recognition for innovative practices and leadership

* Municipal Awards for Excellence

* City Showcase

* Elections for NLC volunteer leadership

Exposition Hall/City Showcase

The Exposition Hall at the Congress of Cities is one of the largest for city officials and employees who want to come face-to-face with the companies serving municipal needs. In 2008, a new feature has been added, the GREEN PAVILION, featuring companies offering eco-friendly products and services.

Located next to the Exposition Hall is the City Showcase, the experiential learning hub of the conference. The City Showcase features successful, creative programs from cities and towns across the country and allows delegates to network and exchange ideas in a self-paced environment. New features this year include a Gallery of Practices, highlighting successful ideas and solutions from NLC's Corporate Partners, and a conference bookstore.

First- Timer Orientation and Membership Fair

At the First-Timer Orientation and Membership Fair, find a concentrated overview of the critical elements of NLC and learn what the organization has to offer members.

Delegates connect with critical resources and people during the Membership Fair and meet the volunteers and staff that make the organization what it is.

Networking Events

Consistently, Congress of Cities attendees say that the people they meet during the conference are one of the event's key benefits. Networking events at the Congress of Cities encourage participants to learn from the experiences of others.

Creating connections with other attendees at the Congress of Cities creates the ultimate conference take-away--a rolodex of names and contacts that can provide answers and insights year-round.

Community Service Opportunities

Congress of Cities delegates will experience first-hand the implementation of one-day group projects that can have profound and lasting affects upon a local community. For updates on the community service projects, watch the website at www.NLCCongressofCities.org.

Special Events and Tours

The 2008 Congress of Cities special events and tours make full use of the beauties, entertainment venues and culture of Orlando. Special events are designed to provide delegates opportunities to reflect on the day's learning, network with each other in a more relaxed setting and gather ideas on how to showcase their own communities' best features for visitors.