Connect! Motivate! Inspire!

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There is a classic advertising myth that attributes the success of Rogers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! to the addition of the exclamation point [!] at the end. It supposedly generated a sense of excitement that was lacking in just titling the musical with the name of the state.

Whether or not you accept the lore, the fact is that the musical was a groundbreaking innovation, a tremendous success, and a moneymaker -- still is, for that matter.

Did the NJ League of Municipalities have this in mind when it titled its 91st Annual Conference "Connect! Motivate! Inspire!"?

Maybe. Though it hardly delivered the punch of Oklahoma!, it was perfectly serviceable. Which is an acceptable goal if you're doing something for the 91st time.

Connect!

With a little shy of 500 communities, with most sending their elected officials, department heads and various staffers and board or commission members, the attendance quickly rises into the range of 4,000 plus. Add maybe another thousand for the vendors, suppliers, consultants and lobbyists who are angling for business and you have a happening event.

Good for everyone from the hotels to the hot dog vendors to the heavy equipment suppliers. (It was a little scary to walk UNDERNEATH a monstrous dump truck suspended above the exhibition floor on four hydraulic lifts, where a salesman was busy making his pitch.)

And connecting continued over lunch and in the halls, but ESPECIALLY in the suite parties that rage through the evenings, and for which invitations are eagerly sought. Legendarily awash in booze and hors d'oeuvres, PT wonders whether many can even remember in the morning whatever they were angling for the night before. But, hey, it's a tradition.


Motivate!

Constitutionally mandated officers -- such as municipal clerks, tax assessors and tax collectors -- are mandated to undertake professional improvement and continuing education activities annually. The Conference provides opportunities to fulfill these part of these requirements as well as get motivated with new techniques and technologies.

The Conference also provides an opportunity for organizations of these professionals to have their annual business gatherings.


Inspire!

Between the offerings in the exhibit hall and the workshop presentations, there is more than enough to inspire.

PT dropped in on several workshops. Quality varies, but if you are seriously looking to take away a good idea or two, you will always find them.

East Orange mayor Robert Bowser is one of PT's favorites. Savvy, suave and street-smart, he always brings a certain frisson to any panel in which he participates. And his advice is always on target.

As, for instance, when he presented on GANG INTERVENTION programs: "Don't ever use the word 'gang' in connection with your programs -- unless, of course, you don't want anyone to come to them." "Remember, many of these kids are getting whupped at home every day -- what they need is consistent structure, support and recognition." "Always reward the kids for achievements." "Never have one-on-ones with gang members -- the last thing you want to hear in the street is 'Yeah, I have the ear of the mayor.'"

Another interesting workshop was on the newly competitive cable TV situation in New Jersey, and what impact it will have on the local public access channel options that have traditionally been a part of franchise agreements with the cable providers. State Senator and Bayonne Mayor Joe Doria led participants through a thicket of issues and opportunities.

Prediction: As the wrinkles get worked out, local cable has the potential of getting more interesting -- if, of course, the municipalities hire GOOD STAFF and dedicate the FRANCHISE FEES to station operation. Unless satellite TV outstrips cable. In which case, communities may find themselves without a means to reach many of their residents as satellite systems fall outside the current scheme of regulation.

Is there a down side to the annual Conference? Many towns' business practically comes to a halt during Conference week, not to resume until the following Monday.

Is that a down side? Depends on your point of view, I guess.

-- Dan Damon

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