The 2025 ICMA Conference was big, really big. Thousands of local government professionals from across the world gathered in Tampa, Florida from October 25-29 to share ideas, swap stories, and celebrate the work we all do for our communities.
This year’s conference brought together local government people from 24 countries and 1,673 communities came together in Florida for five days of learning and networking.
Among the thousands (over 5200 registered) were a handful of representatives from Aotearoa.
The Kiwi contingent were:
- Suzanne Boyd, Chief Executive, Taituarā
- Ann Thomson, Manager, Members and Partnerships, Taituarā
- Steve Gibling, Executive Director – Strategy, Engagement and Capability, Selwyn District Council. Steve attended as part of his Taituarā Overseas Manager Exchange to the USA.
- Ashley Huria, Business Performance Manager, Horowhenua District Council. Ashley attended as the winner of the Taituarā Emerging Leader Award in 2025.
We caught up with them to talk about what they saw, what they learned, and what they’ll be bringing back home.
What were your biggest highlights?
Suzanne:
For me, it was meeting people. Hearing directly from local government professionals from across the US about their stories, their challenges, and their passion, it reminded me that we’re all driven by the same purpose. Around the world, local government professionals share that deep commitment to serving their communities.
Ann:
Just being there was incredible, the sheer scale, the commitment, and the passion that local government professionals in the US have for their work really hit me. One standout session was from the City of Allen in Texas, reflecting on their first year of recovery after a fatal gun incident. It was a powerful, practical lesson in crisis communication and community healing. I also loved a session on the integration of AI in the workplace, and another from a police chief and community strategist about responding to complex, interconnected challenges, like gun violence. Those frameworks could easily apply to our own “wicked problems.”
Steve:
The opening keynote by Arthur Brooks really set the tone. His message was about leaning into difficult relationships with positivity and love, finding common ground, and building shared commitment. That theme ‘focusing on connection over conflict’ ran through the whole conference.
Ashley:
I got the most value from the panel sessions, especially those on leadership and emergency management. The Marshall Fire session in Colorado really stood out. It highlighted the need to anticipate the unexpected and to lead decisively under pressure. The human side of leadership really shone through, supporting your team’s wellbeing and understanding the emotional recovery process after a crisis.
What were your top takeaways from the conference?
Ann:
Firstly, passion transcends borders. Local government professionals in the US are intensely proud of what they do and they really shout it from the rooftops.
Second, I came back with some great conference ideas, everything from app features to name tags, headshots, even a 5k run!
And third, challenges are shared, and so are solutions.
Suzanne:
My big three:
- Many of the challenges we face in NZ have already happened in the US, and they’ve developed solutions we can learn from.
- Coaching and mentoring are fundamental to leadership there. We could bring more of that energy into our own professional development culture.
- Central government influence is a big issue there too, they’re dealing with pre-emption, where powers are removed from councils. It’s a reminder that our challenges aren’t unique.
Steve:
We’re the same and different. We share the same funding pressures, but their access to sales tax as a funding source is a game changer.
I also realised we’re doing a lot well here, our community engagement and long-term planning processes are world-class.
And finally, don’t overcomplicate things, sometimes the “garden hose solution” is all you need!
Ashley:
The first one’s personal – even after 15 years, I still love working in local government. The conference reignited that pride and passion.
The second was the power of structured community participation, things like Citizen Academies and Citizen Assemblies that build understanding and trust.
And third, the similarities, despite different systems, the day-to-day realities of local government are surprisingly alike around the world.
Was there anything that surprised you?
Suzanne:
I was surprised by the level of pride in the profession. In the US, local government leaders see themselves as highly skilled professionals on par with accountants or lawyers. They take their role seriously, and that’s something we can embrace more in New Zealand.
Ann:
I was struck by how universal many of the lessons were. Whether it was crisis response, leadership, or engagement, the frameworks and approaches could apply anywhere.
Ashley:
The focus on the human side of leadership. The sessions really reinforced that leadership in crisis is as much about people and wellbeing as it is about process and planning.
What will you be bringing back to your work here in Aotearoa?
Steve:
The experience gave me greater confidence that we’re on the right track here. It also opened my eyes to the potential of ideas like Citizens’ Assemblies, genuinely community-led approaches to complex issues.
Ashley:
It’s broadened my perspective and reminded me of the importance of continual learning. I’d love to explore how we could trial a Citizen Academy or Citizen Assembly here, they’re fantastic tools for building connection and understanding between councils and communities.
Ann:
Lots of ideas! Everything from potential speakers and webinar topics to small details that can make events and engagement even better. But more than that, international best practice that we can tailor for our members.
Suzanne:
For me, it’s about taking inspiration from their mentoring programmes and leadership culture. I’d also love to see us celebrate tenure more, recognising those who’ve devoted their careers to local government.
Why is it important for Taituarā to attend global events like ICMA?
Suzanne:
It helps us see ourselves more clearly. We gain a deeper perspective of what’s happening globally, we make valuable connections, and we bring back ideas we can repurpose for New Zealand. We also give back — people overseas are genuinely interested in what we’re doing here, especially our membership model and leadership programmes.
Ann:
It’s a direct member benefit. We can learn from our international colleagues and bring that learning straight home to support our members. It’s also about relationships, building global connections that strengthen our whole sector.
Finally, a tricky one, can you sum up ICMA 2025 in five words?
Ann: Epic, enriching, interesting, fascinating, inspiring.
Suzanne: Big. Dedication. Multi-faceted. Professional. On steroids!
Ashley: All-encompassing. Expansive. Diverse. Inspiring. Unmatched.
Steve: Love the place you live.
