Ahead of Midterm Elections, U.S. Conference of Mayors Holds Fall Leadership Meeting to Craft Action Plan to Move Country Beyond Washington Gridlock 

Press Conference: Friday, September 28 at 12 noon EDT

Hilton Columbia Center Hotel 

Washington, DC—Under the leadership of U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) President Columbia (SC) Mayor Steve Benjamin, a bipartisan delegation of more than 45 mayors who serve in the organization’s leadership will gather in Columbia from September 27 – 29, 2018.  During the meeting, mayors will outline a course of action for the year ahead that tackles some of the country’s most pressing issues, including infrastructure and resiliency, immigration, homelessness, community policing, the 2020 Census as well as the economic future of cities.

With more than 85 percent of Americans living in U.S. metropolitan areas, mayors from cities large and small are on the frontlines of today’s challenges.  Despite Washington’s partisan gridlock, mayors continue to work across party lines to find innovative solutions to the issues that stand to significantly impact communities across the country.

Mayors and police chiefs from across the country will meet on Thursday, September 27 to discuss efforts underway in several key public safety areas, including school safety, homelessness, human trafficking, and engaging the community.

All meeting discussions are CLOSED to press, but Mayors will hold a PRESS CONFERENCE on Friday, September 28 at 12 noon EDT to report out on their discussions and priorities for the year ahead.  During the press conference, USCM will release the inaugural best practices survey of its Youth Involvement Task Force, which details the ways in which cities are creating and expanding local initiatives that connect youth with their community and the broader political process.

There will also be a PHOTO OPPORTUNITY for press on Saturday, September 29 from 11 – 11:30 am EDT, when mayors will join Mayor Benjamin, U.S. Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams and Columbia youth on the occasion of “World Heart Day” for a “Move with the Mayor” walk.  Interested press should meet in the lobby of the Hilton Columbia Center Hotel at 11 am for the walk to the Columbia Museum of Art.

Note to producers, editors and hosts: For more information on interview opportunities, please contact Sara Durr  at sara@durrcommunications.com.

WHO:

USCM President Columbia (SC) Mayor Steve Benjamin

USCM Vice President Rochester Hills (MI) Mayor Bryan Barnett

USCM 2nd Vice President Louisville (KY) Mayor Greg Fischer

USCM CEO & Executive Director Tom Cochran

+ 45 Mayors from across the country

WHAT:

Press Conference—USCM Fall Leadership Meeting

WHEN:

Friday, September 28 at 12 noon EDT

WHERE:

Hilton Columbia Center Hotel | 924 Senate Street | Columbia, SC | (803) 744-7800