2010 America's Town Meeting
September 15 - 17, 2010
The National Association of Towns and Townships (NATaT) will host its annual conference, America's Town Meeting, in Washington, DC during September. America's Town Meeting provides participants with an important opportunity to meet their members of Congress and help make the voice of towns and townships heard in Washington, DC. The Conference also provides opportunities for NATaT members to network with their colleagues and share best practices, lessons learned, and strategies for success.

See full schedule below

Hotels

Hotel rooms are available under a reservation block at the Hyatt and need to be reserved separate from registration:
Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill
400 New Jersey Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20001, USA
Ph: (202) 737-1234 | Fx: (202) 737-5773
Get Directions

Conference Room Rates

• Single or Double Room: $239  (August 16th is cut-off and last day for this guaranteed rate)

 
 

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to Give Keynote Lunch Speech at NATaT’s 2010 America’s Town Meeting in Washington, DC

	U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will give the keynote lunch speech on Friday, September 17. As Secretary of Agriculture, Vilsack is responsible for strengthening the American agricultural economy, revitalizing rural communities, protecting and conserving our natural resources, and providing a safe, sufficient and nutritious food supply for the American people. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is helping create economic opportunities in America's rural communities by expanding broadband access, promoting renewable energy, increasing agricultural exports, taking advantage of ecosystem markets, capitalizing on outdoor recreation, and linking local farm production to local consumption. And USDA is revitalizing rural America by investing in critical infrastructure such as homes, fire stations, water systems and health clinics that will create jobs and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Prior to his appointment, Vilsack served two terms as the Governor of Iowa.
	This year’s conference will feature syndicated columnist, author and commentator Cal Thomas as a keynote speaker Friday morning. Cal Thomas is a 40-year veteran of broadcast and print journalism. With a twice-weekly column appearing in over 500 newspapers worldwide, Thomas is the most widely read and one of the most highly regarded voices on the American political scene. His USA TODAY feature, Common Ground, provides insightful discussion of contentious social issues with his friend and political counterpart, Bob Beckel. His latest book, Common Ground: How to Stop the Partisan War that is Destroying America, was co-written with Beckel. Thomas has worked for NBC, CNBC, PBS television, and the Fox News Channel where he currently appears weekly on the media critique show, Fox News Watch. He has also appeared on NBC Nightly News, Nightline, The Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN Crossfire, Larry King Live, and the Oprah Winfrey Show.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2010

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
NATaT Board of Directors Meeting

1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Early Bird Registration

2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Opening General Session
Led by NATaT President Debbie Driskell. Featuring the Joint Services Color Guard.

2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
NATaT Issues Briefing / Preparing for Capitol Hill Visits 

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Federal Affairs Roundtable / Partner Updates  

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Reception 

7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Washington After Dark Tour (optional)
 
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2010
 
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
State Breakfasts
 
10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Meetings on Capitol Hill

11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Washington Garden Tour (optional for guests)

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Capitol Hill Debrief
 
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Featured State Reception: Wisconsin 

5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Group Photos
 
Group photos schedule:
    

• 5:30 p.m. – Illinois Group Photo
• 5:45 p.m. – Indiana Group Photo

• 6:00 p.m. – Michigan Group Photo
• 6:15 p.m. – Minnesota Group Photo
• 6:30 p.m. – Ohio Group Photo
• 6:45 p.m. – Pennsylvania Group Photo
• 7:00 p.m. – Wisconsin Group Photo

 

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2010
 
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast with Plenary Speaker: Political Commentator / Inspirational Speaker
 
9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Break

9:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Concurrent Roundtable Sessions

• Broadband Opportunities for Small and Rural Communities
• Fire Protection

10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Break 

10:45 a.m. – Noon
Concurrent Roundtable Sessions
 

• Federal Transportation Reauthorization
• Rural & Community Development Opportunities

 
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch with Keynote Speaker: Invited Special Guests include President Barack Obama, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Senator Herb Kohl (WI), and Senator Russ Feingold (WI)
 
1:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Break 

1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Round-robin Interagency Interaction
 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2010

7 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Civil War Historic Battlefield Tour (optional)