Women in Municipal Government (WiMG) Constituency Group Convenes for Annual Conference in Saint Paul

SAINT PAUL, Minn., May 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National League of Cities (NLC) Women in Municipal Government (WiMG) constituency group convened this week in Saint Paul, Minnesota for its annual conference focused on issues important to female elected officials. Hosted by WiMG President Mary McComber, mayor, Oak Park Heights, Minn., the theme of this year's conference is "It's Nice to Be in Minnesota" and features sessions that offer creative solutions for local leaders about women in business, handling the political media, coping with gridlock in Washington, women's health issues, corporate giving and the future of metropolitan planning organizations and grassroots influences.

In its 41^st year as an NLC constituency group, WiMG serves as a forum for communication and networking among women local elected officials and their colleagues within NLC. It strives to raise awareness about issues of concern to women and families, and it encourages women to seek public office in their communities.

Highlights of the 2015 meeting include an opening reception at the historic Landmark Center, a Mobile Economic Development workshop and a training session focused on media relations. Participants will also tour the unique features of Saint Paul, including the refurbished Union Depot for light rail, the Saint Paul Saints baseball stadium, Raymond University and a historic housing neighborhood.

Speakers at this year's meeting include (in alphabetical order):

• Buffie Blesi, president-elect, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Minn.
• Chris Coleman, mayor, St. Paul, Minn. (NLC immediate past president)
• Emmett Coleman, vice president of Government Affairs, Comcast
• Donna Drummond, director of Planning, City of Saint Paul
• Jaimee Lucke Hendrikson, vice president of Membership, Visit Saint Paul
• Kathi Hemken, mayor, New Hope, Minn.
• Elizabeth Kautz, mayor, Burnsville, Minn., and U.S. Conference of Mayors 68th President in 2010
• Joni Polehna, holistic health/wellness practitioner, Mind, Body, Spirit, Integration
• Carolyn H. Roby, senior vice president, Wells Fargo Community Relations, Minn.
• Katie Rodriguez, Metropolitan councilmember, District 1
• Jim Scheibel, honorary professor of Practice, Management, Marketing and Public Administration Department, Hamline University
• Lindsay Strand, Lindsay Strand Associates

Sponsors of this year's convening include: Bolton & Menk, Comcast, League of Minnesota Cities, Stantec, Visit St. Paul, Wells Fargo, WSB and Xcel Energy.

For more information about WiMG, click here: http://www.nlc.org/build-skills-and-networks/networks/constituency-groups/women-in-municipal-government

For more information about the annual conference, click here: http://www.nlc.org/build-skills-and-networks/education-and-training/event-calendar/2015-wimg-annual-summer-conference-it-is-nice-to-be-in-minnesota

The National League of Cities (NLC) is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.

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SOURCE National League of Cities

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