LMA Wraps Up 89th Annual Convention in Monroe, Celebrating a Century of Municipal Momentum
Monroe, LA — The Louisiana Municipal Association (LMA) ignited a historic celebration at its 89th Annual Convention in Monroe, marking the LMA’s centennial year with energy, pride, and a forward-looking agenda for Louisiana’s cities and towns. From August 4–6, more than 1,500 mayors, council members, administrators, and municipal professionals from over 300 municipalities and two consolidated parish governments gathered to celebrate 100 years of municipal leadership and to prepare for the next century of service.
A Centennial Convention: Bold, Bright, and Purpose-Driven
Hosted by City of Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis and his team, the 89th Convention blended high-impact programming, practical workshops, and celebratory moments that honored the Association’s past while equipping leaders for tomorrow.
A warm official welcome on Tuesday, August 4, from Mayor Ellis opened the convention, followed immediately by stirring remarks from keynote speaker Anita Tillman, founder and CEO of AMCorp International, who encouraged our cities, towns, and villages to stop playing small. Mayor Darnell Waites (Baker) served as the featured guest speaker during Wednesday’s Prayer Breakfast and shared his inspiring journey, setting a tone of faith, unity, and determination.
Hall of Legacy: Honoring LMA Presidents
A centerpiece of the centennial celebration was the Hall of Legacy, a dedicated, interactive tribute honoring the presidents who have guided the LMA through a century of public service. The exhibit paid poignant tribute to the leaders whose vision and stewardship shaped municipal government across Louisiana.
Programs That Equip and Inspire
The convention blended inspiration with real-world strategies for local leaders. Workshops tackled the pressing issues municipal officials face every day, from infrastructure financing and disaster resilience to broadband equity, blight control, and public rail systems. Sessions emphasized practical takeaways municipal teams can implement immediately back home. Wednesday’s Leadership Luncheon saw Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser showcase state priorities and intergovernmental collaboration. New Orleans Mayor, Helena Moreno, also spoke about the power of collaboration between LMA members and their communities.
New Executive Leadership for a New Century
At Thursday’s President’s Luncheon, LMA installed the Association’s new leadership for the centennial term: President, Mayor Darnell Waites (Baker); First Vice President, Mayor Staci Albritton Mitchell (West Monroe); and Second Vice President, Mayor David Toups (Addis).
“What an honor it has been to celebrate this centennial convention in Monroe, and I thank Mayor Friday Ellis for warmly welcoming the LMA to Monroe and for his leadership in hosting this centennial celebration. I’m eagerly looking forward to working with our newly installed executive leadership as we continue to recognize a century of leadership and recommit to equipping every Louisiana municipality with the tools, partnerships, and vision needed to thrive into the next 100 years,” said LMA Executive Director J. Richard Williams.
Awards, Innovation, and Community Achievement
The convention celebrated municipal excellence at the Annual Banquet and Community Achievement Awards, recognizing cities and towns for innovation in community development, economic progress, essential services, and technology. Winners showcased the creativity and resilience driving Louisiana’s communities forward, with the Town of Westwego receiving the LMA’s Best in Show award.
An Open Arms Welcome
Monroe met the hosting challenge with contagious North Louisiana swagger, and the city most certainly delivered local entrepreneurs, makers, musicians, food, and art. The Host City Party put Monroe’s creative culture center stage and gave visitors a taste of why locals lovingly call it FUNROE. It was a fitting introduction to a vibrant, historic riverfront community brimming with creativity.
Convention dining featured James Beard Award semi-finalist and Monroe restauranteur Cory Bahr, while the inspired convention production decor of Clinton Whitney Downing and Miranda Hill kept the energy sky high.
“Our city stood tall, full of Southern hospitality, grit, and big‑souled pride, as municipal leaders from every corner of Louisiana joined us to celebrate 100 years and see the magic of our community,” said Mayor Ellis. “Sharing our incredible city with old and new friends has been a true honor.”
About LMA
The Louisiana Municipal Association, www.lma.org, is the unified voice for Louisiana’s municipal governments. Our mission is to advocate, educate, and empower local governments to efficiently and effectively serve their citizens. LMA’s 306 members include 127 villages, 111 towns, 66 cities, and two consolidated parish governments.