2026 2-Day Fall Training Event

GMA is holding a two-day Fall Training Event at Brasstown Valley Resort in Young Harris on October 1-2, 2026. The event will feature three six-hour classes on Thursday, October 1, and three six-hour classes on Friday, October 2. Each class is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m. At least one class must be selected to complete registration.

GMA is holding a two-day Fall Training Event at Brasstown Valley Resort in Young Harris on October 1-2, 2026. The event will feature three six-hour classes on Thursday, October 1, and three six-hour classes on Friday, October 2. Each class is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m. At least one class must be selected to complete registration. 




The Thursday, October 1 classes are: 

Harmony in Leadership: Nurturing, Kindness, Civility, and Transformational Influence*
Steering Through the Storm; Guiding Your Community Through a Disaster*
Evolving With Technology: Key Insights (New)

The Friday, October 2 classes are: 

Building Collaborative Relationships to Solve Community Challenges
Advancing Georgia's Response to Human Trafficking (New)
Municipal Law*
*This class is on the required list.

Lodging: GMA has reserved a room block at the Brasstown Valley Resort and Spa for the nights of September 30 and October 1 for $189 per night, plus taxes and fees. 

Please use this link: Brasstown Valley Resort to book your sleeping room for Wednesday, September 30, and/or Thursday, October 1 by Friday, August 28.    

If you would like to check in earlier than Wednesday or stay later than Friday, please call the hotel at 706-379-9900 to book your room.

Cancellation Policy: Registration cancellations after September 1 will incur a $50 per class cancellation fee. Registration cancellations after September 17 will NOT be refunded.  

Please be mindful of the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute's attendance policy: To receive training credit, a participant must attend the entire class. For six-hour classes, anyone arriving more than 30 minutes after the class begins, leaving class repeatedly, or leaving the class early will not receive credit. Class completion forms must be signed by the participant and the instructor and provided to the instructor at the end of the class. Class instructors will not sign class completion forms in the event the attendance criteria cited herein are not met by the participant.

 

GMA strives to accommodate all guests' needs at GMA-hosted events, but we cannot guarantee that the food available at GMA-hosted events is completely free from allergens. If you have food allergies, please take necessary precautions, as attending means you accept responsibility for any potential reactions. While we do our best, we are unable to assume liability for food-related concerns. GMA has no control over food provided at events it does not host, even when such events take place in conjunction with or in the same venue as GMA-hosted events. You should reach out directly to the host of such events to discuss any food restrictions. 

All registrants and attendees of events managed by GMA or a GMA-Managed Entity are bound by these terms of the privacy policy. Note: the privacy policy includes important information about photography and recording at the event and how images and information about attendees may be used. 

Privacy Policy | Georgia Municipal Association

General privacy policy for GMA and GMA-managed entities.
When
10/1/2026 8:30 AM - 10/2/2026 3:30 PM
Eastern Daylight Time
Where
Brasstown Valley Resort 6321 U S Highway 76 Young Harris 30582
Registration
Sign in or create an account to register
Last day to register is 9/29/2026
Event Contact
Ms. Aileen L. Harris - Phone: (678) 686-6293

Program

Thursday, 01 October 2026

Description
Evolving With Technology: Key Insights
Technology is a driving force in modern municipal governance, enabling smarter decision-making, stronger citizen engagement, and improved service delivery. This class is designed to help mayors, councilmembers, and local government leaders understand and navigate the evolving technology landscape. With a focus on emerging tools such as artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity strategies, smart city applications, and communication platforms, this class moves beyond a basic overview to provide meaningful discussion, practical examples, and hands-on exercises. Participants will have expanded time for dialogue, policy exploration, and small group activities. Emphasis will be placed on the leadership role of elected officials in setting strategic direction, supporting staff, and ensuring ethical, transparent, and secure adoption of technology in their communities. This class includes some content from the previous three-hour class, “New and Emerging Technology for Cities.” As this class has expanded and new content, those who previously took the three-hour class on technology can take this class and receive credit towards a training certificate.
Category
train
Time
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
8:30 AM
Harmony in Leadership: Nurturing Kindness, Civility, and Transformational Influence*
This class is designed to explore the fundamental principles of kindness, civility, emotional intelligence, and moral and ethical leadership behavior. Participants will delve into various aspects of interpersonal relationships, communication strategies, and leadership techniques aimed at fostering a culture of respect, understanding, and compassion in municipal governance.
Category
train
Time
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
8:30 AM
Steering Through the Storm: Guiding Your Community Through a Disaster*
During times of natural or human-made disasters and pandemics, cities are often faced with the challenge of steering through the “storm,” continuing city business operations, and communicating effectively, to meet the basic needs of their community as well as managing the needs and demands of the on-going recovery operation. While the initial focus following a major disaster is to respond to the life safety aspects of the emergency, multiple tasks will quickly emerge to face the local leadership team. Is your city prepared for the organizational resiliency necessary to sustain regular services as well as emergency operations during the four distinct phases of a disaster? What is the role of elected leaders in these scenarios? This class will define the various types of disasters, review the four phases of a disaster and the planning and preparedness required for community resilience in responding to disasters, exploring methods for prioritizing crucial essential services, and recognizing the multiple impacts on the local economy, city services and city staff. This class includes some content from the previous class, “Emergency Management.” Those who previously took Emergency Management can take this class and receive credit towards a training certificate.
Category
train
Time
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
8:30 AM

Friday, 02 October 2026

Description
Advancing Georgia's Response to Human Trafficking (New)
Human trafficking is a crime that affects every community, and it is happening in Georgia. The role of local governments is crucial in being able to effectively recognize, respond, and prevent this multifaceted issue and protect local communities. By covering the complete range of awareness to action, this class will allow participants to dive deep into the intricacies of human trafficking in all its forms, describe key elements of victimology, understand trafficking recruitment strategies, and recognize vulnerabilities in any community. Additionally, participants will understand Georgia’s anti-trafficking network and resources and how to get involved, as well as be empowered to advocate for innovative projects and solutions to combat this crime in their own communities. This class includes some content from the previous three-hour class, '"Human Trafficking; Georgia's Role and Response". As this class has expanded and new content, those who previously took the three-hour class on human trafficking can take this class and receive credit towards a training certificate.
Category
train
Time
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
8:30 AM
Building Collaborative Relationships to Solve Community Challanges
This class examines the importance of valuing, building, and nurturing key relationships for Georgia’s cities with counties, school systems, public health agencies, healthcare systems, and relevant not-for-profit organizations. Municipalities are increasingly playing the role of convener of partners for thorny community problems. Beyond the technical aspects that support collaborative relationships, optimal efforts require key community leadership competencies in order to effectively develop and maintain the relationships. Building community-based collaborative relationships is more intentional than regional relationships. The legal requirements that mandate, encourage, or limit some of these relationships will be explained and the differences identified. The various instruments and vehicles that offer or require opportunities for cooperation will be outlined, and the importance of building collaborative relationships will be fully explored. The class also includes an overview of best practices for leadership relationships and steps leading to good community partner relations, as well as barriers to good relations. Resources that are available to improve these relationships will also be presented.
Category
train
Time
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
8:30 AM
Municipal Law*
This class provides an overview of the major sources of municipal authority and the limitations of that authority, including constitutional and statutory law. Municipal charters and ordinances are discussed, and participants are encouraged to read their city’s charter before attending this class. How to enter into legal contracts is reviewed. This class also provides a foundation for understanding the liability and immunity of cities, elected officials and municipal employees. If time permits, this class may also address working with the city attorney.
Category
train
Time
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
8:30 AM