NEWS AND EVENTS

Upcoming Events

Stay informed with the latest updates from the Governance and Municipal Policy Research Center. Here, you'll find announcements about our upcoming workshops, seminars, and training sessions, as well as highlights from past events.

A one-day workshop focused on identifying systemic barriers in municipal service delivery. Attendees will learn how to apply racial equity frameworks to public works, housing, and zoning policies. Case studies include Los Angeles’s participatory budgeting pilot.

Date: September 15, 2026

Location: Virtual

Effective Public
Services: Performance Management & Data-Driven Governance

A half-day executive roundtable on using real-time data dashboards to improve police dispatch, permit approvals, and sanitation routes. Includes a live demo of GMPRC’s new "Municipal Benchmarks Tool" and a peer-exchange with Pierce County officials.

Date: June 9, 2026

Location: Tacoma, WA

This event explores how mid-sized cities can finance and implement EV charging networks, solar-powered public facilities, and smart water meters. Special focus on leveraging federal BIL and IRA funds for Texas municipalities.

Date: May 14, 2026

Location: Spokane, WA

Equity in Action: Bridging Policy Gaps for Underserved Communities

Sustainable
Municipal Innovation: Smart Infrastructure & Green Funding

Past Events

Affordable Housing Policy and Municipal Solutions
(April 9, 2026)

A webinar that examines the challenges municipalities face in addressing affordable housing and provides policy solutions to promote equitable development.

Public Health Policy: Local Government's Role
(February 10, 2026)

An in-person seminar on how local governments can shape public health policy, with a focus on community health initiatives and pandemic preparedness.

Leadership in
Municipal Governance: Building Effective Teams
(January 6, 2025)

A workshop that provides municipal leaders with tools for building strong governance teams and fostering collaboration within local government.

Municipal Budgeting: Challenges and Solutions
(October 8, 2025)

An in-person seminar that dives into best practices and innovative approaches to municipal budgeting and financial management.

Public Safety and Local Government: Strategies for Effective Policy
(April 24, 2025)

An in-person seminar focused on the role of municipal policies in promoting public safety, with insights from experts in law enforcement and urban planning.

Engaging Communities in Policy Development
(July 6, 2025)

A virtual workshop on building better community engagement strategies for local governments, including public consultations and participatory budgeting.

Smart Cities and Sustainable Urban Development

(January 20, 2025)

An in-person workshop focusing on how municipalities can integrate smart technologies and sustainability into urban planning.

Policy Making in Crisis: Local Governments in Action
(February 5, 2025)

A webinar exploring how local governments can respond to and manage crises, including natural disasters and public health emergencies.

Urban Governance: Best Practices and Global Perspectives
(January 10, 2025)

A virtual seminar exploring successful urban governance models from around the world and the key lessons that can be applied locally.

This event discussed urban mobility challenges, highlighting transit systems, smart transportation solutions, and policies aimed at improving mobility in congested cities.

Strengthening Local Economic Development (Oct 14, 2024)

This seminar explored strategies for fostering local economic development through business incentives, job creation, and infrastructure investment policies.

Legal Aspects of Municipal Governance (Aug 17, 2024)

This training workshop focused on the legal considerations of municipal governance, including compliance with federal and state laws, public records management, and municipal liabilities.

Urban Mobility and Transportation Policy (Jun 8, 2024)

Enhancing Public Trust in Municipal Governments
(Mar 11, 2024)

This seminar explored strategies for building public trust through transparency, accountability, and proactive community engagement.

This webinar focused on the intersection of public health and municipal policy, discussing topics such as epidemic preparedness, public health programs, and the role of local governments in managing health crises.

Municipal Data and Decision-Making
(Apr 19, 2024)

This event emphasized the importance of data-driven decision-making in local governance, showcasing the implementation of data collection systems and analytics to inform policies.

Public Health and Local Government Policy (May 25, 2024)