A Seat at the Table Where City Leaders Shape the Future of Their Communities
This year-long program offers a select group of trusted partners an opportunity to collaborate with city managers as they strive to innovate to address the real-world challenges cities are facing.
Why the City Manager Innovation Council
Cities today are on the front lines of some of the most complex challenges facing government, from homelessness and economic development to rising costs, workforce pressures, and the need to deliver services more efficiently. City managers are responsible for addressing these issues while maintaining public trust, and ensuring their communities remain resilient and economically strong.
Technology is increasingly part of that equation. Tools like data analytics, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, and modern infrastructure can help cities operate more effectively, improve service delivery and make better-informed decisions. But for city managers, technology is just one component of a broader strategy for solving the real operational, economic and social challenges their communities face.
To support this evolving leadership role, Governing, in collaboration with the Center for Digital Government, has launched the City Manager Innovation Council.
A small number of Council Partners participate as trusted private-sector collaborators—contributing expertise while gaining direct insight into the priorities and challenges shaping city leadership today. The result is candid dialogue, meaningful relationships, and substantive collaboration.
Why Become a Council Partner
Through a sustained 12-month engagement, Council Partners gain:
- Direct Engagement with City Leadership - Participate in structured discussions on operational strategy, modernization initiatives, and long-term development.
- Insight Into Emerging City Priorities - Gain early visibility into how city leaders are addressing critical challenges such as homelessness, economic development, rising costs, operational efficiency, and service delivery, and how technology, data, and digital tools are being considered as part of the solution.
- Trusted Relationship Building - Engage over time with city leaders in multiple curated environments that deepen trust and mutual understanding.
- Authority through Thought Leadership - Your expertise is included in a paper that helps inform practical strategies and best practices for city innovation.
- Strategic Market Intelligence - Learn how cities’ approaches to modernization, governance, and emerging technology investments align with your solutions.
Who Should Participate
Council Partner participation is designed for organizations that:
- Provide services, technology, infrastructure, or solutions that support city modernization and transformation
- Understand the value of deep relationships with leadership to their business
- Want insight into the operational, procurement, and policy priorities shaping city innovation
Council Partnership Privileges Include
Annual City Manager Innovation Summit (In-Person)
Exclusive access to city leadership in a curated, relationship-driven environment that enables meaningful dialogue and long-term partnership opportunities.
- Executive reception & private dinner
- Full-day immersive summit
- Minimum of 15 city leaders or designated participants
- Strategic dialogue, not transactional interaction
- Collaborative discussion of priority issues
- Development of practical insights and tools
Executive Insights Report + Guaranteed Leads
- Executive Insights Report (approximately 8 pages) published by Governing and the Center for Digital Government, featuring insights from City Manager Innovation Council discussions, executive roundtables, Summit conversations, industry research, and expert interviews.
- Full editorial production and distribution, including research, interviews, writing, design, project management, 12-month hosting on Governing.com, underwriter recognition, and distribution to Council participants and select government executives.
- Audience engagement and lead generation, including six months of engagement reporting and 200 shared Smart Leads enhanced with engagement intelligence to support follow-up and conversion.
Virtual Council Meetings (4)
Virtual conversations with city leaders five times throughout the year provide insight into emerging priorities and opportunities to contribute expertise in a trusted setting.
Session #1 | August 27, 2026 | 10 AM PT
Understanding AI and Quantum for Senior Executives
AI, quantum computing, workforce impact, economic development, and leadership strategies for emerging technologies.
Session #2 | November 4, 2026 | 10 AM PT
311 Reimagined
City dashboards, AI, omnichannel service delivery, and the future of resident experience.
Session #3 | February 18, 2027 | 10 AM PT
Council-Selected Topic (TBD)
Topic developed collaboratively based on emerging city priorities and member input.
Session #4 | April 13, 2027 | 10 AM PT
Council-Selected Executive Session (TBD)
Additional strategic session developed in collaboration with Council members
Become a Council Partner.
Participation in the City Manager Innovation Council is limited to a select group of organizations.
Opportunities are limited!
To learn more about council participation, availability, and fit, please share your email and our team will reach out.