Convention Wrap-up

2022 CCM Convention was a great success for all who attended

After nearly three years of thinking about the ever-present now, municipal officials and residents of the great state of Connecticut are ready to get back to the future. CCM was there to help on November 1 and 2 at Mohegan Sun Resort for the 2022 CCM Convention by presenting nearly 700 government and business leaders from across the state and beyond with informative workshops, a world-class exhibition hall, and hosting the final Gubernatorial debate in partnership with Channel 8.

The event was a resounding success thanks to all of the sponsors and exhibitors who participated. Sponsors included CIRMA; Future Infrastructure, A Primoris Company; Electriq Power; Post University; ConnectiCare; Murtha Cullina; Updike Kelly & Spellacy; Titan Energy New England; Sacred Heart; CGI; Lockton; Bank of America; Halloran Sage; Equitable; and Philbro.

Also contributing to the event’s success were all of the attendees. More than 130 towns and cities were at the conference, representing over 85% of Connecticut’s population. They engaged in 14 workshops on a wide range of cutting-edge issues being faced by municipalities today – topics like going green, economic development, inclusive service delivery, and more. You can access the presentations at https://www.ccm-ct.org/ Education-and-Events/Workshop-and-Event-Recordings (you must be logged in to view them).

For the first time ever in person, officials were also able to participate in roundtables on issues important to municipalities. Co-sponsored by Connecticut Public Employer Labor Relations Association (ConnPELRA), Connecticut Association of Municipal Attorneys (CAMA), Connecticut Economic Development Association (CEDAS), and Government Finance Officers Association of Connecticut (CTGFOA), they covered topics such as human resources, finance, economic development, municipal law, and communications.

Throughout the first day, CCM presented the recipients of its yearly major awards, the Municipal Excellence Awards, the State Legislative Champions of the Year Awards, the Joel Cogen Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Richard C. Lee Innovators Award. You can read more about each in their own articles.

But of course, the highlight of the evening was the gu- bernatorial debate that CCM co-sponsored with WTNH News Channel 8. Current Governor Ned Lamont, Republican challenger Bob Stefanowski, and Independent candidate Rob Hotaling laid out their vision for the future of Connecticut in front of an audience of folks who will be on the frontlines of action.

Day two continued the theme of getting back to the future with an election of our own. CCM’s Legislative Committee elected the 2023 President, Officers, and Board of Directors as well as continuing to refine legislative proposals to bring to the 2023 General Assembly session that includes a large class of Freshman legislators. This session will be crucial to the future of Connecticut. In addition to the many key issues that CCM fights for year in and year out, state leaders will have to help towns and cities navigate projects that utilize ARPA and IIJA funds. Many of these projects will quite literally lay the groundwork for years to come.

Check out the event photos on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ccm.forct/ Be sure to save the date for the 2023 CCM Convention: November 28th at Mohegan Sun.

So, after two days of networking, learning, debate, and more, did CCM help our towns and cities “get back to the future?” It’s hard to say for the future remains unwritten. But if we collaborate like we did in the roundtables, take what we learned from the workshops, partner with the right businesses in the exhibition hall… then the future will be bright for our state.