MMLcon | Maryland Municipal League Summer Conference 2026
Event Date
June 14–17, 2026
Location
Ocean City, MD
Expected Exhibitors
230
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe Maryland Municipal League Summer Conference (MMLcon) is the flagship annual gathering of Maryland's municipal governments, bringing together elected officials, city and town staff, and local-government professionals from across the state. MML's Summer Conference gathers Maryland's local leaders and staff to Ocean City, providing a platform for connection and learning, where attendees engage in sessions, workshops, and panels, gaining insights from industry experts and state officials while exploring innovative solutions for their communities.
The event is a large-scale conference and expo. The recipient of four national conference awards, MML's Summer Conference connects organizations to over 1,800 attendees who represent 161 local governments, nonprofits, state government, and businesses across Maryland. The accompanying exhibit hall features more than 200 companies and government agencies showcasing products and services for municipalities.
Attendees come for professional education, advocacy, and networking. Recent editions have included 60+ sessions, regional tours, and the chance to earn credits for the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance. Organizers describe it as the only conference designed to strengthen the leadership of Maryland's municipalities.
Show Highlights
Signature features of MMLcon typically include:
- General sessions and keynotes featuring national figures. A recent Opening Session keynote was Tim Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics International and co-creator of the Dignity Index, addressing how communities can help build a nation that fosters dignity over contempt.
- 60+ educational sessions, workshops, and panels led by industry experts and state officials. Recent programs have included regional tours and the chance to earn credits for the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance.
- MML Main Street event — immediately following the closing general session, this exclusive showcase offers member municipalities and MML affiliates a premier platform to spotlight their initiatives, innovations, or community pride.
- Municipal Tuesday — a way to experience the full conference in a single day, with multiple options for municipal professionals to attend at an exclusive rate.
- Mobile/Regional Tours — tours designed to provoke knowledge-sharing and highlight initiatives that municipal leaders may replicate back home, open to registered municipal members only.
- A large exhibit hall with vendors serving parks and recreation, public works, energy, technology, insurance, and infrastructure needs, alongside numerous state agencies.
Attendance
MML's Summer Conference connects organizations to over 1,800 attendees who represent 161 local governments, nonprofits, state government, and businesses across Maryland. The conference is positioned as a celebration of municipal government and its impact on over 2 million Marylanders, highlighting the contributions of municipalities and the 44,000 local government professionals who serve them.
Registration
Registration is handled through the official MML Summer Conference website, with several ways to attend:
- Full conference registration for municipal members and other attendees.
- Municipal Tuesday single-day option. Registration for Municipal Tuesday lets attendees experience the full conference in a single day, with multiple ways for municipal professionals to attend at an exclusive rate.
- Mobile/Regional Tours, which are open to registered municipal members only.
Early-bird rates are typically offered ahead of the event, and MML often hosts "Lunch and Learn" webinars to help officials prepare to register their teams. Exhibitors and sponsors register separately through the MML expo site (exhibits.mdmunicipal.org) and the conference sponsorship program. Visit the official Summer Conference page for current pricing, forms, and deadlines.
History
The Summer Conference is the marquee annual event of the Maryland Municipal League (MML), headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland. As it entered 2026, the League celebrated 90 years of service, placing its founding around 1936. The Summer Conference has been recognized with four national conference awards and has grown into a statewide gathering drawing over 1,800 attendees. The event is held annually each June in Ocean City, Maryland, and includes long-running traditions such as Hall of Fame inductions, community service projects, and the MML Main Street municipal showcase.
Exhibitors
Exhibitor Information
Detailed exhibitor list is being compiled. Check back soon or visit the official show website for the most current information.
Venue & Travel
Venue
Roland E. Powell Convention Center
4001 Coastal Highway
The Roland E. Powell Convention Center is located between 40th and 41st Streets on the bayside of Ocean City. It is a large waterfront facility offering exhibit halls, meeting rooms, and ballroom space, with concessions on site. Visitors describe it as a very large facility with amazing bayfront views at the rear of the building and plentiful, clean concessions. The center also serves as home to the adjacent Ocean City Performing Arts Center.
Parking
On-site parking at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center is first come, first serve, with over 1,200 spots, all free. Accessible parking is on a first-come, first-serve basis and located in front of the convention center in the on-site lot; a valid handicap placard or license plate is required. Bicycle racks are available near the main entrance at no charge.
Getting There
By air: Salisbury Regional Airport (SBY) is about 30 minutes from the convention center and serves the Ocean City area. American Airlines operates flights from Salisbury, with service by Piedmont Airlines to American hubs in Philadelphia (PHL) and Charlotte (CLT). Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) and Philadelphia International airports are within a 3-hour drive by rental car.
By car: Ocean City is an easy drive from major Mid-Atlantic cities such as Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Philadelphia. Approximate distances include Baltimore 150 miles/3 hours, Philadelphia 150 miles/3 hours, and Washington D.C. 150 miles/3 hours.
Local transit: The Ocean City Beach Buses are a convenient option, with a $4 Ride-All-Day pass valid from 6:00 a.m. until 3:00 a.m. the next morning.
Nearby Hotels
Ocean City offers many hotels within walking or a short drive of the convention center, and MML contracts a block of discounted rooms each year. For a recent Summer Conference, the League contracted discounted room rates at sixteen local hotels. Popular nearby properties have included the Aloft, Hilton Suites, Holiday Inn & Suites, Holiday Inn Oceanfront, and the Tru by Hilton. Reservations are made through the official Conference Direct hotel portal at no additional fee, where real-time availability, room types, and customer support are provided. Note: MML partners exclusively with Conference Direct for featured hotel reservations, so attendees should disregard offers from other third parties.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2026 MML Summer Conference (MMLcon)?
MMLcon 2026 takes place June 14-17, 2026, in Ocean City, Maryland. It is held at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, located at 4001 Coastal Highway between 40th and 41st Streets on the bayside.
Who should attend MMLcon?
The conference is designed for Maryland's municipal officials and local-government professionals, including elected leaders, city and town staff, and their partners in state government, nonprofits, and business. It regularly draws over 1,800 attendees representing 161 local governments.
What can attendees expect at the conference?
Recent editions have offered 60-plus educational sessions, workshops, panels, and regional tours, plus keynote general sessions and the MML Main Street municipal showcase. Attendees can also earn credits toward the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance.
How do I register and book a hotel?
Registration is available through the official MML Summer Conference website, with options including full-conference and single-day Municipal Tuesday passes. Hotel rooms should be booked through the official Conference Direct portal, MML's exclusive housing partner, which offers discounted rates at no added fee.
Is parking available at the venue?
Yes. The Roland E. Powell Convention Center offers over 1,200 free on-site parking spots on a first-come, first-serve basis, including accessible spaces in front of the building for those with a valid handicap placard or plate.
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