1. On our final day, White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett and the Intergovernmental Affairs team visit with mayors and talk about sequestration. (at St. Regis Washington D.C.)

    On our final day, White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett and the Intergovernmental Affairs team visit with mayors and talk about sequestration. (at St. Regis Washington D.C.)

  2. Final meeting of the day: Mayors meet with House Majority Leader Eric Cantor. (at Office of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor)

    Final meeting of the day: Mayors meet with House Majority Leader Eric Cantor. (at Office of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor)

  3. Mayors meet with Senate Leaders to talk about municipal bonds, gun violence, and sequestration. (at Mike Mansfield Room)

    Mayors meet with Senate Leaders to talk about municipal bonds, gun violence, and sequestration. (at Mike Mansfield Room)

  4. Mayors first meeting: House Democratic Leaders (at United States Capitol Building)

    Mayors first meeting: House Democratic Leaders (at United States Capitol Building)

  5. We’re joined by former Mayor, Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR) to talk about the Marketplace Fairness Act. (at St. Regis Washington D.C.)

    We’re joined by former Mayor, Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR) to talk about the Marketplace Fairness Act. (at St. Regis Washington D.C.)

  6. Vice President Joe Biden’s address of U.S. Mayors. From Friday, June 15, 2012 in Orlando, Florida during the 80th Annual Conference of Mayors.

  7. 70th President of the United States Conference of Mayors, Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter.

    70th President of the United States Conference of Mayors, Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter.

  8. Vice President Joe Biden

    Vice President Joe Biden

  9. Sneak preview of the plenary ballroom at #uscm2012.

    Sneak preview of the plenary ballroom at #uscm2012.

  10. So, what is the Annual Meeting?

    Many newly-elected and first-time attendee Mayors, along with members of the media, will be joining us this week in Orlando, Florida for the 80th Annual Meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and many may be asking, what exactly goes on at the Annual Meeting? Well, here’s a basic explanation of what will go on this week!

    The Annual Meeting, sometimes also referred to as the Annual Conference, is our once-a-year business session. It is always hosted by a member city and in addition to the business taking place, allows for the host mayor to showcase his or her city to other mayors.

    Mayors in the Conference of Mayors are organized into Standing Committees and task forces, much like Congress. Mayors choose their committee assignments based on their interestes. At the Annual Meeting, these committees and task forces meet and vote on proposed resolutions that were submitted by Mayors the month prior. Those resolutions, once passed by the committees and then by the body at-large become the basis for our organization’s policy positions. 

    Other sessions at the Annual Meeting include plenary sessions, awards luncheons, and forums. Plenary sessions will feature speakers such as Vice President Joe Biden and panels on topics including the “2012 Presidential Campaign” and “Next Steps for Congress”. This year, we also have eight forums with topics ranging from Technology and Innovation, increasing exports, and best practices in reducing violence in cities.

    The best way to learn more about the meeting is to follow us on Twitter @usmayors and by watching our plenary sessions on LiveStream.

    Stay tuned all week long for additional posts and insights into the 80th Annual Meeting.