WHY
ATTEND
City Summit 2026
For a century, the National League of Cities has been delivering for America’s cities, towns and villages. At City Summit, we bring the resources and tools that local leaders need to build thriving cities and towns to deliver for their residents.
Nashville is setting the stage for local leaders and welcoming thousands from across the country. Secure your spot today!
With over 3,000 colleagues under one roof, you will have access to:
LEARN
- Workshops that cover trending and emerging topics that impact local governments.
- Timely resources that can help your community thrive.
- Executive education to build your leadership skills.
GROW YOUR NETWORK
- Get fresh perspectives from a variety of leaders experiencing the same challenges you see in your municipality.
- Find your community with NLC councils, committees, and constituency groups.
Need to Make Your Case?
City Summit is one of the most comprehensive conferences for local elected officials and municipal staff. Need to convince your supervisor that you should attend City Summit? Here are a few tips to help you make the case for your attendance…
- Meet other staff and professionals working for local government with whom you can exchange ideas and learn from.
- Connect with experts and hear from renowned speakers specializing in the issues and topics confronting local governments.
- Stay up-to-date with the latest information and access cutting-edge technology and resources to help your municipality operate more efficiently and effectively.
Bring a Colleague
If you’ve been to City Summit before, you probably know someone who could benefit from this amazing experience.
Invite them to join you. We offer economical, cost-saving group registrations.
Workshop Descriptions
Learn more about the workshops available at City Summit so you can plan accordingly!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the registration rates?
Registration rates vary based on your NLC membership/conference attendee type and the date on which you register for the conference. Visit the rates page for more information.
What are the 2026 registration deadlines?
CCC Attendee Rate: March 16 – April 20, 2026
Early-bird Rate: March 16 – June 1, 2026
Advance Rate: June 2 – September 1, 2026
Regular Rate: September 2 – November 16, 2026
Onsite Rate: November 17 – 21, 2026
How do participants register?
Click the “Register” button in the upper-right-hand corner of your screen.
What is the dress code for this conference?
Business attire and nice business casual are appropriate.
How do I cancel my registration?
All requests must be sent in writing to nlccs@maritz.com by October 26, 2026, and are subject to a $125 cancellation fee. No partial refunds will be made if you decide not to attend functions. No registrations nor cancellations will be accepted by phone. No cancellations will be accepted after October 26, 2026. Substitutions are permitted and can be made at any time.
What is the benefit of group registration?
Groups of five or more will receive complimentary sixth registration, provided the registrations are paid in full. To get the group incentive, all individuals must register at the same time. After group registration is completed, each team member will receive a confirmation email. Group registrations do not apply to these registration categories: student, youth chaperone, or youth delegates, spouse/guest. Substitutions are welcome.
How do I cancel my Spouse/Guest registration?
All Spouse/Guest registrations are refundable; requests must be made in writing to nlccs@maritz.com. Substitutions are welcome.
What is included in the Spouse/Guest Registration Fee?
This registration type entitles family members of fully paid delegates to attend all general sessions and social events. The fee to register a Spouse/Guest is $360.00. This does not include access to Executive Education sessions, Mobile Workshops or functions which require an additional ticket/fee for entry. Children 2-18 attending the conference with their parent/legal guardian must be registered as a child. This registration type is not applicable for elected officials or city staff. This registration type is entirely separate from, and does not grant access to, the Youth Delegate Program.
Who can I talk to if I have questions about my registration and housing reservations?
Please call our registration and housing team at Maritz: nlccs@maritz.com; (747) 226-7785
Who can I contact about sponsoring this year’s event?
The 2025 Sponsorship opportunities are posted on the Sponsorship page. Questions? Contact us at sponsorships@nlc.org.
How is NLC handling press registration?
Members of the media with proper credentials must register for the conference (complimentary). Contact media@nlc.org for questions and to confirm your registration. Most conference activities are open to the media, but some sessions will be private or closed to the media.
What is included as a part of the Student Registration?
Student registrations include all conference sessions except for NLCU Executive Education sessions, mobile tours, and students must be 18+ to attend the conference closing event on Saturday evening. Attendees must be actively enrolled in a degree program. *This registration type cannot attend youth delegate programming*
Note – these registration categories are not eligible for group discount pricing, and you must provide proof of a student email address during the time of registration.
Who should I contact for membership questions?
Please send all your inquiries to membership@nlc.org.
Will there be an exhibit hall at City Summit?
Our Exhibitor Prospectus is available on the City Summit website. Questions? Contact us at sponsorships@nlc.org.
Is NLC looking for keynote speakers?
General Session speaker invitations are determined by program and organization goals set by NLC leadership. If you have suggestions, feel free to send them to conferences@nlc.org.
When and where are future Conferences?
CCC (in Washington, DC):
- March 16-18, 2026 (pre-conference March 14-15)
- March 15-17, 2027 (pre-conference March 13-14)
- March 6-8, 2028 (pre-conference March 4-5)
City Summit:
- Nashville, TN: November 19-21, 2026 (pre-conference November 18)
- Houston, TX: November 17-20, 2027 (pre-conference November 16)
- Columbus, OH: November 15-18, 2028 (pre-conference, November 14)
What are the NLCU Executive Education Sessions?
NLC University trainings are designed for city leaders seeking to gain tangible skill sets to apply locally and to build their communities. We encourage advanced registration to better ensure your spot in the training. These training courses tend to take place as a part of our pre-conference activities. Registration for the sessions will be available this summer. Please continue to check back on CitySummit.nlc.org for updates.
What workshops will be available at the conference?
The workshop descriptions have not been finalized for City Summit 2026, please come back for updates.
Who should I contact if I have questions about the NLCU Executive Education Programming?
NLCU Executive Education sessions are first come, first serve, and onsite availability is limited. Please send all NLCU inquiries to university@nlc.org.
What Mobile Workshops are offered at City Summit this year?
Our mobile workshops for City Summit 2026 have not been finalized. Please come back for updates.
2025 City Summit Conference Highlights
