Navigating Change, Leading with Purpose
The 2026 MMANC Annual Conference is September 27–30 at Tenaya Lodge near Yosemite National Park. After years of navigating crisis after crisis, local government professionals deserve more than another conference. This is the reset.
Three days. No downtown distractions. Just you, your peers, and the space to step back, think clearly, and invest in yourself. Every session is built around one test: will the person in the seat walk away with something they can use Monday morning?
The Conference officially kicks off with our main session and keynote speaker on Monday, September 28th at 12:00 pm!
Four Tracks, One Journey
This year we’re organizing sessions into four tracks inspired by the Sierra — each designed to meet you where you are in your career.
🦶 Trailhead — For Emerging Leaders
You’re early in the work and building your foundation. Trailhead sessions focus on the skills, relationships, and confidence you need to grow in local government. Every great journey starts where the path begins.
⛰️ Half Dome — For Mid-Career Professionals
You’ve been in the work long enough to know it’s complicated. Half Dome sessions are for leaders who are deepening their expertise, managing teams, and navigating the messy middle of a career in public service.
🧗 El Capitan — For Executives and Directors
You’re leading organizations through uncertainty. El Capitan sessions tackle the challenges that come with the top — organizational resilience, political dynamics, succession, and the weight of decisions that affect entire communities.
🌲 Sequoia — Equity Across Every Level
Equity isn’t a track you visit — it’s woven throughout the conference. Sequoia sessions center diversity, inclusion, and belonging for professionals at every career stage. Deep-rooted and resilient, like its namesake.
Preliminary Conference Schedule
Sessions and speakers are still being confirmed, so the schedule will keep filling in between now and September. Check back for updates.
Online Registration – Register Today
Please note that all meals are included in the conference registration fee.
| Early Bird Registration – Trailblazer (May 21 through June 11) Member Only |
Regular Registration (June 12 through August 13) |
Late Registration (August 14 through September 14) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| MMANC Member | $695 | $775 | $890 |
| MMANC Student Member | $350 | $350 | $350 |
| Nonmember | $990 | $1,195 |
Scholarships Available for a Limited Time
Scholarship applications for the 2026 Annual Conference are now available to students and full members who would otherwise be unable to attend. Recipients will receive full conference registration, including most meals and lodging. Travel and incidentals are not included.
Applications are due by end of day Monday, August 31st.
Questions? Contact conference@mmanc.org.
Need Approval First? Justify Your Trip
Many attendees need a supervisor’s sign-off before they can register. We wrote a letter for exactly that conversation: one page from the conference co-chairs on how this program was built, how the economics were designed for public budgets, and what your organization gets back. Share it with your approver alongside your request.
Read the Letter from the Conference Co-Chairs (PDF)
Questions from an approving manager? Write to us at vp@mmanc.org. We answer.
Conference Hub: Tenaya Lodge, Yosemite
Tenaya Lodge sits two miles from Yosemite National Park’s south gate entrance, surrounded by Sierra Nevada forest. It’s not a convention center — and that’s the point.
When you can’t duck out to check email at a downtown restaurant, you’re actually present. The isolation is the strategy. The stars, valley and pine trees are our backdrop.
While the Tenaya Lodge rooms are at capacity, consider the following hotels in Oakhurst, just 13 miles away. Over half of conference attendees will be off property with carpooling options extended.
Conference Hotel Options
Fairfield Inn and Suites – Oakhurst
Website Rates approx. $160
The Inelle – a Marriott Tribute Property – Oakhurst
Website Rates approx. $158 – $183
Holiday Inn – Oakhurst
Website Rates approx. $146
Hampton Inn – Oakhurst
Website Rates approx. $144
Waybound Cabins at Tenaya are still available!
Traveling with colleagues and would like a private room and shared space? Book a 2 bedroom Waybound Cabin at Tenaya Yosemite Cabin Lodging – Waybound Collection use promo code MMANC26 for 15% off
The conference shuttle is happening. You can reserve unlimited runs between the Fairfield by Marriott Inn in Oakhurst and Tenaya Lodge for $50 flat. The shuttle will run mornings and evenings on Monday and Tuesday and morning through early afternoon Wednesday. Sign up today Shuttle Sign up
Exhibitors and Sponsors, ready to put your brand in front of Northern California’s local government leaders?
Your audience is already in the room, We’d love to talk about which opportunities align with your goals.
Stay Connected
Sign up for the MMANC weekly newsletter to get conference updates as they happen. Questions? Reach us at conference@mmanc.org.
“I left the 2023 conference inspired to lead and grateful for all the meaningful relationships I’ve been able to build through MMANC.”
“Very high quality conference – I learned a lot and met a ton of amazing local government professionals!”
“We grew together, learned together and shared. There were technical takeaways and vulnerable moments shared, all ultimately contributing to 3 days of elevating myself and filling my cup.”
“There is something so incredibly special about the community I have found in MMANC. I have made invaluable friendships and connections and I am so thankful for the wonderful people that comprise this organization and the magic that is present when we all gather together.”
“The 2023 conference provided many opportunities to meet new people and to learn both innovative trends to improve cities, but also professional development to bolster resilience.”
“The 2024 sessions were amazing!”
“LOOOOOVEED it as always!”
“Great execution of the conference and the MMANC team were extremely welcoming to all and did a great job facilitating network opportunities.”
“I was very impressed as a first-time attendee!”
