Executive Development Conference

The Hotel Hershey

February 12-13, 2026

Bridging Divides: Municipal Leadership in an Era of Political Polarization and Culture Wars

Join APMM for the 2026 Executive Development Conference, a premier opportunity for municipal leaders to advance their skills, exchange ideas, and enhance their professional practice. Hosted at the iconic Hotel Hershey, this conference provides a unique environment for reflection, collaboration, and professional growth.

In an era marked by political polarization, shifting social norms, and cultural divides, municipal managers find themselves on the front lines of maintaining trust, fostering inclusion, and ensuring that communities continue to function effectively. This year’s theme, Bridging Divides: Municipal Leadership in an Era of Political Polarization and Culture Wars, calls on local leaders to cultivate resilience, empathy, and practical problem-solving skills that transcend ideology. Stay tuned for more information on sessions and speakers.

The APMM Executive Development Conference remains true to its mission: to enhance the effectiveness of Pennsylvania’s municipal managers through high-quality professional development, technical expertise, and a steadfast commitment to ethical governance.

Whether you are an emerging leader or a seasoned executive, this event offers a rare opportunity to step back from day-to-day challenges, reconnect with your peers, and gain fresh insight into what it means to lead communities with fairness, compassion, and courage in divided times.

Keynote Speaker

Benjamin Herold, author of Disillusioned, will open the conference with insights on leadership, institutions under strain, and the human impacts of polarization—setting the stage for thoughtful and timely conversations throughout the program.

Featured Sessions

• The Wheel of Misfortune
  Join the studio audience for Amerca’s newest game show. Join an elected official and a manager as they spin the Wheel of Misfortune and discuss real life scenarios that will challenge your skills and make you reconsider what you know about public management. We’ll look at it from all angles – the good, the bad, the make your head scratch. Don’t miss the debut of this high flying game.

• Steadying the Ship – Leading Through Crisis
  Every manager was faced with similar challenges during the COVID crisis.  This interactive session will focus specifically on guiding staff through uncharted waters, applying lessons from this unprecedented time to future crisis situations.  Participants will hear real stories shared by colleagues about their experiences and consider what worked and what didn’t.  How can we lead our teams through volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous situations without capsizing?

• Is All Politics Still Local?
  For decades, the adage “all politics is local” captured the idea that voters are primarily motivated by neighborhood concerns, personal relationships, and community-level issues. But in an era of nationalized media, social platforms, polarized parties, and global crises, does this still hold true? This session explores whether local issues and identities continue to shape political behavior—or whether national narratives, culture wars, and global events now dominate how citizens engage with local government.

We invite you to briefly share your thoughts, considering these questions:

• How did you guide and support your staff during the early days of the pandemic?

• Which strategies worked – and which didn’t?

• What do you wish you had known then?

• What bold decisions or unexpected breakthroughs shaped your approach?

• What lessons still guide you today?
  
  

  Send your story (500 words or less) by messaging Sara Gibson on LinkedIn or emailing sgibson@camphillborough.com by January 9, 2026. Responses may be edited to maintain anonymity.

Hotel Information

Overnight reservations are available at The Hotel Hershey for $182 per night + 11% taxes. Credit cards are charged a one night’s advance deposit including tax at the time of booking. The group room block is opened until Monday, January 12, 2026 or the block is sold-out.

Make your reservations online at https://www.thehotelhershey.com/qr/U6OJNI5M8G/ or by calling 855-729-3108. Be sure to identify yourself as part of the APMM Executive Development Conference.

Questions?

Direct questions to Mary Costik, CMP at mcostik@pml.org.