About the Event

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Flash Drive Sponsor: Widseth

Conference Bag Sponsorship:  AMKO Advisors, LLC

Note Pad Sponsor: Bollig, Inc

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Gold Level

• BS&A Software
• ClearGov
• Cooperative Purchasing Connection
• Core & Main
• Granicus
• Hiller Commercial Floors
• Kennedy & Graven
• Springbrook Software
• WSB

Silver Level

• CivicClerk

Bronze Level

• Abdo
• Black Mountain Software
• CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
• eScribe Software LTD
• LeVander, Gillen & Miller, PA
• Modus Elections Manager
• Taft Stettinius & Hollister, LLP

For the last twenty years Dr. Crawford has been instrumental in developing and training thousands of leaders seeking to improve their leadership skills. As a motivational speaker and trainer he has delivered inspiring messages to businesses, conferences, schools, camps, and rallies of thousands of audiences all over the nation and in 13 countries. With expertise in leadership development, teamwork, diversity, experiential education, and community transformation, Stephen challenges traditional thinking by inspiring change through creative experiences. As a consultant he has also assisted several businesses and non-profit organizations through coaching executives and managers, providing leadership training and staff development, and increasing profitability.

Kelly Radi is a real-life Wonder Woman!

She delivers high-energy, heartfelt keynote presentations that empower and inspire. Her powerful, relatable messages focus on personal accountability, healthy communication and nurturing relationships. Audiences leave refreshed and confident, armed with new perspectives and practical, action-based take-aways.

Kelly leverages 20+ years of diverse career experiences as an award-winning author, corporate spokesperson, PR executive, at-home mom, and entrepreneur to equip and empower her audiences to find—and use—their unique inner superpowers.

Attendees describe Kelly as authentic, relatable, and a masterful storyteller. Meeting planners across the country and internationally appreciate her positive energy and can-do attitude. Organizations like Delta Air Lines, Women in Trucking, and Big Brothers Big Sisters hire Kelly because she customizes content and implements strategies that help people avoid distractions, prioritize relationships and achieve objectives.

Kelly intertwines real stories, superhero history, and relevant takeaways. She connects, validates and inspires you to create a life of significance—both personally and professionally. After all, superheroes don’t just sit there. They take action!

She is a member of the National Speakers Association and earned the 2018 NSA Minnesota Academy Award.

In addition, Kelly is the award-winning author of two books. Out To Sea: A Parents’ Survival Guide to the Freshman Voyage is the go-to resource for parents as they navigate the high school-to-college transition, and Wonder-Full: Activate Your Inner Superpowers (No Cape Required), a motivating “thoughtbook” for women of all ages.

Learn more about Kelly at raditowrite.com.

schedule

8:30 a.m	Check-in for Athenian Dialogue
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.	Full Day Workshop: Athenian Dialogue
12:30 p.m.	Check-in for Half Day Afternoon Workshops
1 - 4:30 p.m.	Half Day Workshops: Effective Data Management & Presentation  Skills; New City Clerk Orientation & Election Administration and Cigarette & Tobacco Compliance
4 - 7 p.m.	Onsite Conference Check-in
5 - 7 p.m.	MCFOA Explores St. Cloud - use the Visit St. Cloud App to win prizes

schedule

7:45 a.m.	Onsite Conference Check-In and Continental Breakfast
8:45 a.m.	Welcome and Presentation of Colors, National Anthem
9:15 a.m.	Opening Keynote:  Stephen Crawford
10:30 am	Morning Break
10:45 a.m.-12 p.m.	Concurrent Sessions I
12 - 1:15 p.m.	Lunch (WEAR REGIONAL COLORS) / Awards Luncheon (sit with region)
1:15 - 2:30 p.m.	Concurrent Session II
2:30 p.m.	Afternoon Break
2:45 - 4 p.m.	Concurrent Sessions III
4 - 5 p.m.	Nominations
5 - 8:15 p.m.	Dueces Wild Dueling Pianos / Cash Bar / Appetizers

schedule

7:30 a.m.	Onsite Conference Check-In
7:30 a.m.	Breakfast Buffet / Business Meeting / Oath of Office
9:15 - 10:30 a.m.	Concurrent Session IV
10:30 a.m.	Exhibit Hall Opens / Morning Break / Silent Auction
11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.	Concurrent Sessions V
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.	Lunch in Exhibit Hall with Exhibitors
1:30 - 2:45 p.m.	Concurrent Sessions VI
2:45 - 4:30 p.m.	Connect with our Amazing Vendors!!! Exhibit Hall / Afternoon Break / Silent Auction / Vendors Bingo  (booths close at 4:30 p.m.)
5 - 8 p.m.	"Name That Tune" / Pizza and Salad Buffet with Cash Bar

schedule

7:45 a.m.	Breakfast Buffet
9 - 10:15 a.m.	Concurrent Session VII
10:15 a.m.	Morning Break
10:30 - 11:45 a.m.	Closing Keynote Kelli Radi
11:45 a.m.	Final Announcements and Drawings
12:00 p.m.	Adjourn

Tuesday Pre-conference  (rates are in addition to the overall conference amounts regardless of registration date)

• Half-day sessions (each): Member rate $50, Non-Member rate $75  (no lunch included)
• Full day Athenian Dialogue:  Member rate $90, Non-Member rate $115 (lunch included)

Wednesday-Friday Conference

• MCFOA Member Rate: $305 early bird until Feb. 21, 2023. $325 regular rate postmarked/received after Feb. 21, 2023.
  
• Non-Member Rate: $380 early bird until Feb. 21, 2023. $400 regular rate postmarked/received after Feb. 21, 2023.
  
• Retiree Rate: $225. Tickets to Wednesday evening Dueling Pianos ($40) must be purchased separately.
• Additional Wednesday and Thursday evening entertainment tickets $40

Registration closes March 7, 2023.

To qualify for member rate, individuals must be current, paid members of MCFOA. Contact Lori Hensen MCFOA Administrative Assistant, to determine membership status at lhensen@mcfoa.org or 612-251-2473.

Any registrations received/postmarked after the registration deadline of March 7, 2023 will incur a $25 late registration fee.

Invoices that are not paid within 45 day of the invoice date will incur a $25 late payment processing fee.

The Best Western Plus Kelly Inn (320-253-0606) serves as the event headquarters, hosting most of the Conference events and holds the largest sleeping room block.

A block of rooms have been set aside for the 2023 rate of $109.00 plus tax per night.  The special rate is available until the block is sold out.  

• Reserve a room:  all 320-253-0606 to book and mention you are with MN Municipal Clerks & Finance Offers Association
  • You may need to edit the check-in and check-out dates
• View a map

Alternatively, call 1-320-253-0606. Ask for the discounted group rate for our group: MN Municipal Clerks & Finance Officers Association

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Alternative Accommodations:

The Courtyard by Marriott (320-654-1661), holding a smaller sleeping room block, is connected to the other conference venues via skyway. The 2023 rate is $139.00 -$149.00 plus tax per night.

• Reserve a room or
• Call the hotel at 320-654-1661 and mention you are with MN Municipal Clerks & Finance Assocation to receive the block rate.

The Grandstay (320-251-5400), downtown St. Cloud offering spacious hotel suites. This is not connected to the conference venue. The 2023 rate is $149-$159 plus tax. 

• Call hotel directly at 320-251-5400 and mention you are with MN Municipal Clerks & Finance Officers Assocation to receive the block rate. 

The Country Inn & Suites East (320-252-8282), situated off U.S. Hwy 10 offering guest rooms or suites.  This is not connected to the conference venue. Rate for 2023 is $129 plus tax.  

• Call the hotel directly and tell them you are with the MN Municipal Clerks & Finance Officers Association to receive the block rate.

The Country Inn & Suites West (320-259-8999) offering rooms at $149 plus tax. 

• Call the hotel directly and tell them you are with the MN Municipal Clerks & Finance Officers Association to receive the block rate.

Each hotel provides overnight guests with a broad range of amenities including heated swimming pools, whirlpools, exercise areas and a variety of dining facilities. 

Completing the St. Cloud site package is the state-of-the-art River’s Edge Convention Center which will serve as the location for all exhibits and various Tuesday through Friday Conference events.

The sleeping room blocks for Conference attendees (Kelly Inn and Courtyard by Marriott) are being held until they are sold out. Reservations received after will be accepted on a “space available basis” and at prevailing rates. Make your overnight reservations via mail, fax, phone or e-mail.

After nominations, join us for a night of fun, and make sure to wear your region colors. Start off the  evening at our cash bar at 5:00 PM. Then, hors d’oeuvres will begin at 5:30 PM. Also, make sure to stick  around for Deuces Wild Dueling Pianos from 6:15-8:15 PM!

Please note: in an effort to reduce food waste, we will be asking you when you register if you plan to attend the evening social. We would like to eliminate the problem of wasted food, so please take the time to address this question when you register

According to our Exhibitor surveys, Vendors/Sponsors would greatly appreciate more time with participants! Thus, MCFOA 2022-2023 President Betsy Snyder invites all registrants to participate in the Thursday evening fun! Be sure to wear your leapoard print attire. This event will provide an opportunity to network with vendors from around the country and with other attendees as well. From 5:00-8:00 PM, join sisters - Bethany and Amy Benting for “Name That Tune,” and don’t forget to grab a few drinks at the cash bar. In addition, a pizza/chef salad buffet will be served from 6:10-7:00 PM.

Once again, day two at the Conference brings an exciting exhibit show, with vendors from around the country showcasing their products and services to make a big difference in your daily work lives. It is extremely important to visit their booths as their support of the Conference keeps your attendance costs as low as possible. Take the time to visit them all especially at the 3-4:30 p.m. timeslot where many of the exhibitors have brought items and offer an opportunity to win fabulous prizes!

The popular silent auction starts at 10:30 a.m. Take time to view and bid on items donated by clerks and finance officers throughout the state, as well as items from our generous sponsors and exhibitors. Be sure to bid often … NOTE the Silent Action closes at 4 p.m.!!! Silent Auction items must be paid for and picked up by 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 24. If you are not able to stay for the end of the Silent Auction, please make arrangements to have a colleague pick up your item(s). Proceeds from the auction support the Association’s training, scholarship programs, and provide lucky winner(s) a gift card of $100 towards the 2023 Minneapolis IIMC Annual Conference (winners must be active MCFOA members at the time of the drawing).

CMC/MMC Points

This year’s education-rich Conference offers numerous opportunities to earn CMC/MMC Education Points. Even the pre-conference sessions provide opportunity for IIMC credits. You can find more information in your final program and in your participant bag regarding important steps you must take to receive these points.

For those pursuing CMC (Certified Municipal Clerk) or MMC (Master Municipal Clerk) certification, this Conference provides 1 CMC Education or 1 MMC Advanced Education point for every 4 hours of approved participation in combination with a completed learning assessment. St. Cloud State University will provide a Certificate for those participants who check “YES” during the registration process. The cost is covered by MCFOA, please be sure to request them at the time of registration for costs to be covered. If IIMC Points will not play a role in your ongoing education plans, then you need not obtain them.

Continuing Education Units / Customized Certificates

For those who are not tracking Education Points but desire a certificate for CEUs (Continuing Education Units) or Certifcate of Attendance, you may request if it meets the criteria you need. A CEU is defined as 10 contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction. If you need a customized certificate, the cost is $15. St. Cloud State University will email the certificate upon receipt of your payment and will be in touch for the specific certificate you are requestiong.

Flash drives containing handouts from all general and concurrent sessions will be provided to attendees onsite. Prior to the Conference, all registrants will also receive a link to the MCFOA website containing session handouts. This will allow you to print out all materials (or load to your devices) in advance for use during the Conference.

Cancellation Policy: 

• Fees will be refunded minus a $25 service fee only if cancellation is received via email (register@scsutraining.com) by March 7, 2023.
• If you do not cancel your registration by March 7, 2023 or do not attend, a refund will not be provided.

Should inclement weather (or other circumstances beyond our control) necessitate program cancellation or postponement, please listen to WCCO AM 830 or St. Cloud area station WJON AM 1240 for an announcement regarding delay or cancellation.