Indiana Mayors Attending Winter Conference
Seven mayors from Indiana are heading to Washington D.C. this week for the U.S. Conference of Mayor’s winter meeting. Nearly 300 mayors from throughout the nation will discuss a number of topics including the economy, community development and transportation.
The event will be held Wednesday through Friday. The mayors will hold a press conference Wednesday where they will unveil their urban agenda – The 2016 Compact for a Better America: A Call to Action, which they say "calls on the Presidential candidates and Congress to invest in and protect America’s cities and metro areas."
Indiana’s mayoral delegation at the conference includes:
- John Hamilton, Bloomington
- Jim Brainard, Carmel
- Tom Henry, Fort Wayne
- Karen Freeman-Wilson, Gary
- Joe Hogsett, Indianapolis
- Jeff Gahan, New Albany
- Pete Buttigieg, South Bend
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will also speak to the mayors on Thursday. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel will also take part in a a panel on reducing violence and strengthening policy and community trust. The winter meeting also includes a visit to the White House for a meeting with the president.
Indianapolis will play host to the U.S. Conference of Mayors annual national convention in June. Last year, Visit Indy President Leonard Hoops told Inside INdiana Business he anticipates the economic impact from the convention will be around $1 million.