My first post – how exciting

Since I attended the “Blog or be blogged” session I feel confident to make my first post.  It has been a great beginning of the conference.  I always enjoy reconnecting with colleagues from all across the US and I’m always excited to hear how their doing, how their family is doing and how their jobs is going.  No matter where you are the issues we all face are very similar, just like Peter Agh from Slovakia said at the opening session.  So from what I learned at this afternoon’s session I need to keep this post SHORT.

With respect to getting together with colleagues let me know recommend the following places:

Bottoms Up (1700 Dock St) Great Pizza!

The Tobacco Company (1201 E Cary St,)

Richbrau Brewing Company (1214 E. Cary)

Sine Irish Pub (1327 E. Cary)

There we go, first post done.

ICMA Conference is up and running!

As a member of the host committee and a welcome desk worker I have not had much time to blog yet. But, this is a good thing. The welcome desk has been extremely busy. The peanuts and apples have been a huge hit! We have a dining reservation service staffed by people who are very familiar with the area. There are several members from our local jurisdictions and convention and visitors bureau willing and able to answer any question we are approached with. So far comments have been wonderful. As I said in my previous post, we are showing our southern hospitality. Guests are showing a great amount of interest in what to do in the Richmond Region as well as other parts of Virginia. I was standing outside this afternoon as the Discover Richmond tour finished and everyone who walked off the bus was smiling and thanking the guides for a job well done. All in all everyone seems to be enjoying the conference. I have also seen many people that I met at the ICMA conference in Pittsburgh whom remember our display up there. Please come by and visit us at the Commonwealth Corner if you have not already. If not for information, stop by and say hi. We love hearing about where everyone has traveled from.

I will post soon with pictures from the conference bag stuffing which had over 40 participants. I also have a few volunteers taking pictures as well of the conference in general that I will post at a later date.

I hope you all are enjoying your time here! We hope you come back to see us soon!!

Welcome to Richmond! Day 1

Welcome to Richmond! I arrived early today and took advantage of the extra time to get a feel for the area and see some of the historical sites.  I have to admit that from my perspective the citizens of Richmond are certainly very hospitable and friendly!

If you get a chance to do some sightseeing and you enjoy history I have a couple of recommendations for you based on my travels today.  Being a “history buff” and espeically someone who enjoys the Civil War or I believe as they call it here in the War of Northern Aggression I had to see the Museum of the Confederacy and the White House of the Confederacy.  Both places are must sees if you have any interest.

The Museum has an awesome display of artifacts related to the confederacy, everything from uniforms and weapons to small hand made games that soliders made and played on the battlefield.  Located on the same property and included with the package tour is the White House of the Confederacy.  This too is a great tour and worth the time to see!  For more information on these places visit www.moc.org.

While you are in the area you should also stop by the John Marshall House which is just up the street.  For the $10 tour price you also get admission to the Wickham House, the Monumental Church, and the Valentine Richmond History Center – now that is a tourism deal!

I was very lucky and got a personal tour of the home from Sherry at the John Marshall Home.  She does a great job!  Just in case your looking for a way to justify the tourism trip during the conference I even got the opportunity to do some research while on the tour that can help back home. 

Turns out that water was first run to the 1790 house in 1831 when John Marshall signed up with the City to have it run to his house. For $10 per year Marshall got a water hydrant installed in his back yard hooked up to the city’s water supply.  The problem I have is converting this $10/year fee into current dollars to use in my water fee analysis.  I think this will make our $30 minimum monthly water bill look pretty good considering we include sewer services too!

Or maybe I need to take some time off!

Either way if you have the time and the interest please take the opportunity to visit both of these places I think you’ll enjoy them.  If you get to the Marshall home please tell Sherry hello and thanks for me!

I am looking forward to getting the conference kicked off tomorrow with an ICMA University Workshop in the morning and a visit to the American Civil War Center tomorrow night!