2025 KACM Annual Conference
Emporia • Dec 3 - Dec 5
Emporia State Memorial Union / Hampton Inn
Parking Map (Thursday & Friday)
Refer to the program distributed at registration for full session descriptions and details. Transportation details are found at the bottom of this page.
Wednesday, December 3
1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Registration (Hampton Inn)
2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Mobile Workshop - Emporia Fire Station & FabLab/Downtown Emporia
6:00 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. David Traylor Zoo Education Center & Zoo Lights Access
8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Trolley House Distillery
Thursday, December 4
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Registration (Emporia State Union)
8:30 a.m. - 8:50 a.m. + KACM Opening Remarks / Forum Review / New Attendee Orientation
9:00 a.m. - 9:50 a.m. General Session: Seth Winterhalter: Setting the Table
10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Concurrent Breakout Sessions - Two Topics:
Balance is Bulls**t: Seth Winterhalter
ICMA Ethics: Jessica Cowles
11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Concurrent Breakout Sessions - Two Topics:
State of Public Service in the Current Political Environment: Stephanie Newbold
Resident Engagement Programs: Melissa McCoy & Daniela Rivas
12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. ACEC Awards Recognition & KACM Business Meeting
1:25 p.m. - 2:35 p.m. General Session: KACM Awards Presentations / Buford Panel
2:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Concurrent Breakout Sessions - Two Topics:
Keys to RHID: Amy Lange & Jamie Sauder
The Latest in Water Reuse Implementation: Brent Clark, Gary Janzen & Rob Gavin
3:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Open Networking/On Your Own
6:00 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. Dinner & Social Event: Granada Theatre
8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Evening Reception: Emporia Arts Center
Friday, December 5
9:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. + Concurrent Breakout Sessions - Two Topics
Using State Contracts at a Local Level: Kelly Johnson & Todd Herman
Humanizing Local Government: Undoing the "Lazy Bureaucrat" Myth: Mark Friese
10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. General Session: How to Talk Policy with Elected Officials: Mike Conduff
11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Optional KACM Committee Meetings / Adjourn
+Complimentary breakfast is included for all hotel guests. A separate hot breakfast for attendees will not be served in the conference center, so attendees will need to eat prior to sessions.
Hotel Information
Make sure to contact the hotels directly using the local number listed below, and mention KACM to reserve in the block.
Hampton Inn [HQ Hotel / 40 rooms]
2900 Eaglecrest Dr, Emporia, KS 66801
(620) 412-9040
Rate: $139
Cut-Off Date: November 7
Comfort Inn [25 rooms]
2921 W 18th Ave, Emporia, KS 66801
(620) 412-2535
Rate: $84
Cut-Off Date: November 19
La Quinta [25 rooms]
2930 Eaglecrest Dr, Emporia, KS 66801
(620) 412-2763
Rate: $84
Cut-Off Date: November 19
Transportation Details:
Wednesday, December 3: Mobile Workshop
Downtown Maker Space / New Fire Department
2:00 p.m. - Pickup at Hampton Inn [all attendees gather at Hampton], leave for Downtown by 2:15 p.m.
Wednesday, December 3: Dinner & Social Event
David Traylor Zoo of Emporia [75 Sodens Rd, Emporia KS 66801]
5:30 p.m. – Pickup at Hampton Inn [all attendees gather at Hampton], leave for David Traylor Zoo at 5:45 p.m.
6:00 p.m. – David Traylor Zoo of Emporia (Bus will make a second loop)
7:45 p.m. – Buses will begin loading for either a return trip to the hotel, or the reception location. Buses will run at 7:45/8:00/8:30/9:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m. – Reception begins at Trolley House Distillery
9:00 p.m. – Reception Ends at Trolley House and final bus returns guests to Hampton.
Thursday, December 4: Dinner & Social Event
Granada Theatre [807 Commercial St]
5:30 p.m. – Pickup at Hampton, leave for Granada Theatre at 5:45/5:50 p.m.
6:00 p.m. – Arrive at Granada Theatre (Bus will make a second loop)
7:45 p.m. – Attendees will leave dinner location and walk to reception site (next door)
7:45 p.m. – Buses will begin loading for those who wish to make a return trip to the hotel
Buses will run at 7:45/8:00/8:30/9:00 p.m. / continuous loop with the final bus loading at approximately 9:00 p.m. at reception end.
8:00 p.m. – Reception begins at Emporia Arts Center [815 Commercial St] (private room)
9:00 p.m. – Reception ends at Emporia Arts Center. Final bus to load and return to hotels