GMA Calendar of Events

The Georgia Downtown Association's professional development program is designed to elevate the practice of community and economic development in downtown districts thereby providing a higher level of service and improving the quality of life for all of Georgia's communities and citizens. Benefits Provides a system of progressive, structured improvement in professional practice and receive peer recognition for distinct levels of achievement. Provides evidence of the employee's professional growth. Increased level of expertise that a successful, long-term professional brings to the dynamic challenges of downtown development.

Join us for the District 7 Clerks’ Meeting, an opportunity for clerks across the district to connect, share ideas, support one another, and enjoy lunch together. This meeting consistently provides valuable encouragement and a meaningful networking opportunity for our clerks.

Legal & Legislative Updates: This class will update attendees on legislation and judicial decisions affecting municipal governments.  This class aims to provide attendees with a detailed understanding of changes to laws affecting municipalities, especially as it relates to the job duties of the city clerk.

Join fellow Mayors from across District 5 for a valuable day of connection, learning, and professional camaraderie. Hosted by the City of Athens, this meeting provides an excellent opportunity to share best practices, enjoy a hosted lunch, and engage in meaningful discussions with your peers.

Join us for the upcoming District 7 Mayors' Meeting, generously hosted by Mayor Haywood and the City of Sparta. The topic of this meeting will be: Employee Retention Strategies with a focus on certified utility employees. We will focus on sharing ideas, challenges, and practical tips for retaining certified utilities employees. Many cities are experiencing increased competition with one another for qualified and certified personnel, making recruitment and long-term retention increasingly difficult. This discussion will focus on strategies to attract, develop, and keep skilled employees while maintaining a stable workforce and minimizing turnover between local governments. We encourage you to register today and be part of the conversation!

GMA's Annual Convention will take place in Savannah from June 26-30, 2026.

Join us for the District 5 Clerks’ Meeting, an opportunity for clerks across the district to connect, share ideas, support one another, and enjoy lunch together. The topic will be city elections. This meeting consistently provides valuable encouragement and a meaningful networking opportunity for our clerks.

Join us for an informative training session tailored to Pension Committee Secretaries! This session will cover essential topics to help you navigate pension plan administration: Plan Document Review Portable Service Retirement Benefit Formula Joint & Survivor Payment Options Retirement Application Package Benefit Eligibility vs. Benefit Calculation Whether you're looking to deepen your knowledge or refresh your understanding, this training is a great opportunity to enhance your expertise in managing pension plans effectively. Lunch will be provided.

Municipalities face more regulatory pressure than ever before, and it's coming from every direction. CJIS. ADA. Federal regulations. State cyber laws. Cyber insurance requirements. The instinct is to push it off. "That's IT's problem." "Legal would have told us." "We'll deal with it when the audit comes." But the consequences of noncompliance are real: fines, lawsuits, and headlines that damage public trust for years.  In this webinar, we will help municipal leaders cut through the complexity with an overview of the municipal compliance landscape, explain what's required and why, and show how a proactive compliance posture both reduces risk and builds ongoing cyber resilience. Whether you're a municipal manager, clerk, department head, or elected official, this session will give you a clear picture of the municipal compliance ecosystem.

Connect, learn and grow with GMA's Risk Management and Employee Benefits Services (RMEBS) Team in Atlanta! Get first-hand updates on new initiatives, share your valuable feedback, and learn about our programs and services. Enjoy exclusive swag, lunch, and one-on-one time with our Leadership Team.

The Georgia Fire Service Conference welcomes over 250 fire chiefs, fire service leaders and firefighters representing cities, counties and volunteers throughout the state. This highly awaited, professional focused event features continuing education, exciting competitions and demonstrations, showcasing of products and solutions, and a fun and supportive opportunity to gather and network.

Over three days, participating mayors will reflect on their crucial leadership role and explore how to exercise influence from the chair, not just to manage the responsibilities of the office, but to lead their communities effectively. Through interactive sessions, discussion with peers, and insights from experienced practitioners, mayors will explore topics such as cultivating productive relationships, communicating with the media, emerging issues in municipal government, strengthening community engagement, and more.