Oregon Mayors Association - 2026 Summer Conference

Conference registration is now open! Don’t miss this chance to connect with other mayors, expand your network, and engage in dynamic sessions and impactful conversations.

Register Now!

HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS: A room block has been secured at Ashland Hills Hotel for conference attendees. Cut-off date for the hotel is July 15, 2026.

Preferred Booking Method
Use the group booking link below to access the special conference rate:
https://be-p1.synxis.com/?&arrive=2026-08-05&depart=2026-08-09&group=OMAC26&hotel=40192

Alternate Booking Method (via Hotel Website)
Attendees may also book directly through the hotel’s website:

Visit AshlandHillsHotel.com
Select Book Now in the upper-right corner
Enter your arrival and departure dates
Open the Special codes or rates drop-down menu
Toggle to Group Code
Enter OMAC26 and apply

*Attendees will have access to a promotional code for Shakespeare performances during the conference. Stay tuned—details will be shared in the coming weeks.*

Thursday, August 6

8:00 am - 1:00 pm	Golf Tournament Join mayors and guests from across the state to participate in the golf tournament. Bagged lunches will be available afterwards. Players are responsible for transporting themselves to and from the golf course. Carpooling with other players is encouraged. Please arrive no later than 7:45 a.m. Tee time is 8:00 a.m.
9:00 am - 5:00 pm	Registration Open Check in at registration and collect your name badge and welcome bag. Registration will be open the duration of the conference and staff will be available to answer questions.
10:00 am - 12:00 pm	Bear Creek Greenway Tour This session explores how local partnerships along the Bear Creek Riparian Corridor have evolved from pre-fire watershed restoration to coordinated fire recovery and long-term resilience efforts. Hosted at North Mountain Park, participants will engage in onsite discussion, visual exploration, and a short walk to observe restoration work and projects spanning Ashland to Central Point. The tour highlights collaborative approaches to habitat restoration, water quality monitoring, and community engagement that strengthen regional resilience. This is a walking tour (30-45 minutes or estimated ¾ mile). Please dress appropriately. Please meet in the conference center lobby no later than 9:45 a.m. The tour will depart promptly at 10:00 a.m.
10:00 am - 12:00 pm	Shakespeare Tour The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) in Ashland is a renowned repertory theatre founded in 1935 and now presents a mix of Shakespearean works, contemporary plays, and new productions each season. Running from spring through fall, OSF stages multiple productions in rotating repertory, offering visitors a variety of performances in one visit. This tour provides a vibrant blend of world‑class theatre and the charm of historic downtown Ashland. This is a walking tour (estimated .5 miles). Transportation will be provided. Please meet in the conference center lobby no later than 9:45 a.m. to begin loading the bus. The bus will depart promptly at 10:00 a.m.
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm	Lunch on Your Own
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm	Newcomer's Orientation Learn what OMA is all about and what it can do for you. You will hear about what the OMA is doing now and the value it can bring to you and your city. This session is perfect for mayors regardless of how long you've been in office.
2:45 pm - 3:45 pm	Coastal Mayors Caucus Meeting
6:00 pm - 9:30 pm	Annual Silent Auction (Schneider Museum of Art - 555 Indiana St, Ashland, OR 97520) Mayors, spouses, and guests are invited for a welcome reception and to participate in our annual fundraiser auction. The welcome reception will feature heavy appetizers and a no host bar. This silent auction will feature gift baskets brought by mayors from all over the state. One hundred percent of the funds raised go to the OMA scholarship fund. Please bring your auction items directly to the conference registration desk – LOC staff will ensure each auction item is properly displayed for bidding purposes.

Friday, August 7

7:30 am - 5:00 pm

Registration Open

7:30 am - 5:00 pm

Sponsor Exhibits Open

Our sponsors/vendors will be available during session breaks and meals. Be sure to stop by for a visit.

8:00 am - 9:00 am

Networking Breakfast

9:00 am - 9:45 am

Opening Ceremonies

10:00 am - 11:00 am

Welcome to Ashland

Kick off the conference with a warm introduction to Ashland, our host city. This general session highlights Ashland’s economic vitality, tourism assets, and distinctive quality of life, offering context for the community that’s welcoming us. Attendees will gain insight into what makes Ashland a unique place to live, work, and visit.

11:15 am - 12:15 pm

The Mayors Brand

What does it mean to be the “face of the city”? In this session we move beyond the big picture to the daily actions that define mayoral leadership – from delivering speeches to being the spokesperson during an emergency. Learn how to cultivate a consistent public image that builds community trust and projects stability to regional and state partners.

12:15 pm - 1:30 pm

Lunch & Keynote: Leading with Purpose: Civility, Service, and the Work Ahead

Drawing from decades of public service, John McArdle delivers an inspiring keynote on the enduring value of civility in leadership. Through reflection and practical wisdom, he challenges attendees to stay grounded, lead with integrity, and continue doing the good work that strengthens communities. This keynote is both a call to purpose and a reminder of why local leadership matters.

1:45 pm - 2:45 pm

2026 Session Recap & Forecasting for the 2027 Session

Nicole Stingh, LOC Legislative Director, will report out the outcomes of the 2026 session and what local leaders need to know about next year’s session. The session will include information on the LOC 2027-28 legislative priorities ballot expected to be released in mid-late June.

2:45 pm - 3:15 pm

Snack Break

3:15 pm - 5:15 pm

Lithia Park & Japanese Gardens Tour

Explore Lithia Park and its serene Japanese Garden on a guided walking tour that highlight the area's natural beauty and design, along with their role in supporting Ashland's tourism-driven economy and community vitality. This relaxed experience includes engaging commentary and frequent stops for discussion.

This is a walking tour (estimated 1-mile total). Please meet in the conference center lobby no later than 3:00 pm and depart promptly at 3:15 pm. Please dress appropriately for the weather and tour conditions.

3:15 pm - 5:15 pm

Ashland Downtown Tour

Join a guided walking tour of downtown Ashland that weaves together the city’s rich history with its present-day economic vitality. Hear historical insights alongside perspectives from local business and community leaders, highlighting how downtown continues to evolve as a vibrant commercial and cultural hub.

This is a walking tour (estimated 6-blocks total). Please meet in the conference center lobby no later than 3:00 pm and depart promptly at 3:15 pm. Please dress appropriately for the weather and tour conditions.

6:00 pm

Dinner on Your Own

Enjoy dinner on your own tonight, or take advantage of group dining options arranged by the conference team. We’ve reserved tables at a variety of local restaurants for attendees who’d like to dine together. Sign up at the registration desk to reserve a spot at one of the restaurants.

Saturday, August 8

7:30 am - 5:00 pm

Registration Open

7:30 am - 5:00 pm

Sponsor Exhibits Open

Our sponsors/vendors will be available during session breaks and meals. Be sure to stop by for a visit.

8:00 am - 9:00 am

Networking Breakfast

9:00 am - 10:00 am

Returning Civility to Governance: A Strategic Reframe

Civility is not just about being nice, it is a functional requirement for effective governance. This session offers a strategic reframe of council interactions, focusing on how to disagree on policy while maintaining the professional respect required to move a legislative agenda forward.

10:15 am - 11:30 am

How State & Federal Courts Have Impacted Oregon Cities in the Last Year

Each year, the way cities operate and the services they provide are impacted by judicial decisions rendered by state and federal courts. Much like mayors must be aware of the impact the Oregon Legislature has on their communities, they should also be aware of the impact the judicial system has on their constituents and city employees. This session will provide a high-level overview of how state and federal court decisions have impacted Oregon cities in the last year.

11:30 am - 12:45 pm

Lunch with Student Contest Winners Acknowledgement

Join OMA as we celebrate the statewide winners of the 2025/26 OMA "If I Were Mayor..." Student Contest!

12:45 pm - 1:00 pm

Ashland Green Bag Experience

Step into the donation journey with this quick, hands-on experience. Participants will grab an empty green bag, “shop” for groceries in the hallway, and carry their filled bags into the next session—where Ashland Food Pantry volunteers will collect and exchange them for a new empty bag. This interactive moment brings the community donation cycle to life, showing exactly how local generosity turns into food on the shelf.

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

The Participant-Driven Agenda

Bring your biggest challenges to the front—this session starts fast with live topic pitches from participants. You’ll vote in real time to surface what matters most, then dive straight into high-energy roundtables built around those priorities. No canned content—just dynamic, right-now conversations driven by the people in the room.

2:30 pm - 3:00 pm

Bingo & Snack Break

Get to know your colleagues and have the chance to win prizes by participating in OMA's Bingo and Snack Break!

3:15 pm - 4:30 pm

OMA Board of Directors Meeting

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Awards Dinner & Awards Presentation

The winners of the 2026 Mayors Leadership Award will be announced during the festive dinner celebrations.

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

President's Reception, Family Friendly

This reception is sponsored by the City of Ashland and President Kaufman. Desserts and drinks will be served. The winner of the 50-50 raffle will be announced during this reception.

Thank You, Sponsors!

We are now accepting sponsorship commitments for the OMA Summer Conference. Sponsorship opportunities are limited and are being claimed quickly. The deadline to secure a sponsorship is July 17, so don’t miss the chance to highlight your organization while supporting this important event.

To learn more or reserve a sponsorship, please contact Claire Wilson at cwilson@orcities.org.

Keynote Sponsor