Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
MMA members greet each other during Connect 351 in 2025. More than 1,000 municipal officials have already registered for Connect 351 later this month.
More than 1,000 local leaders from across the Commonwealth have already registered for Connect 351, the MMA’s annual conference, which will be held from Jan. 22 through 24 at the Menino Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston’s Seaport District.
Registration is on a record pace, and the online option will be available through Jan. 20. (Registration takes only a few minutes.)
The event retains the same high-quality programming as in past years, with more networking opportunities than ever. New features include Thursday’s Boardroom Breakout and a Women Leading Government session called “Burning Questions,” as well as Affinity Networking Spaces to promote connections.
Recent programming updates include the addition of Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov Kim Driscoll at the general session on Friday morning.
Conference highlights include:
• Engaging and inspiring speakers
• Timely, educational workshops
• A lively Trade Show
• Member business meetings and important policy discussions
• Numerous networking opportunities
Visit Connect351.org for complete conference information. The event’s free mobile app will help attendees make the most of their experience.
The event “is a safe space to talk with other people in other communities and find out how we can kind of work together to move forward,” said Adams Select Board Member Christine Hoyt, a regular MMA conference attendee. “I always come back from Connect 351 with this renewed sense of purpose, a little more focus, and a sense that I’m not in this alone.”
Speakers
Connect 351’s inspiring speaker lineup includes:
• Friday keynote Timothy Shriver, CEO of UNITE and co-creator of the Dignity Index, will explore the ways in which people can engage in constructive dialogue and see each other’s humanity.
• Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll will discuss the state-local partnership and their priorities for the year ahead.
• Saturday keynote Clarence Anthony, executive director of the National League of Cities, will discuss building effective partnerships, bridging divides, navigating artificial intelligence, and addressing the housing emergency.
• Tami Pyfer, co-creator of the Dignity Index and a former city councillor, will address the Women Elected Municipal Officials Leadership Luncheon.
Workshops
Connect 351 will feature 17 timely and informative workshops during three time slots on Friday and Saturday afternoons, covering timely topics like crisis communications, employee recruitment and retention, artificial intelligence, health costs, strategic leadership, and more. A number of these workshops are MIIA Rewards-eligible. Visit Connect351.org for complete information.
Trade Show
A lively Trade Show will feature more than 280 exhibitors showcasing the latest in products, services and solutions for Massachusetts municipalities. The Trade Show will be open on Thursday afternoon from 2 to 5:30, which is a great opportunity to meet with exhibitors when the exhibit hall will be less crowded than at peak times. A welcome reception will be held on the Trade Show floor from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
The Trade Show will also be open on Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m, with nine, half-hour Learning Lab sessions on the show floor between 11:45 a.m. and 1:35 p.m.
The Trade Show will not be open on Saturday.
Networking
Connect 351 features numerous opportunities to meet your colleagues, share ideas, and expand your network.
Networking events include general receptions on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, a DEI-centered networking reception, affiliate and regional group meetings, affinity group receptions, and an MMA-Suffolk programs reception. In addition, there are always hallway conversations and numerous seating areas where members can engage with colleagues whenever they’d like.
Additional programming
• Local leaders will take the stage during the WLG’s “Burning Questions” event — modeled after the web series “Hot Ones” — in which panelists will offer their perspectives on critical issues while facing the heat by eating progressively spicier hot wings.
• In “Boardroom Breakout,” on Thursday, 3-4 p.m., participants will form teams for an escape-room-style activity, solving a series of puzzles, challenges and critical-thinking tasks before the clock runs out.
• Attendees can get free, professional photos taken at the Headshot Station, which will be open on Thursday from 2 to 5:30 p.m. and on Friday from 8 to 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Registration
Online registration for Connect 351, which is available through Jan. 20, requires a member’s unique username and password. Registrations cannot be made by mail or over the phone. Those who didn’t register in advance online may register on site, though there will be an additional fee of $40.
The early registration rate is $289 for MMA members and Partner Program members. (Partners must be in good standing as of Dec. 30, 2025, to be eligible for registration and attendance. New MMA Partner Program applications will not be accepted until after Connect 351, and renewal applications will not be accepted during Connect 351.)
Nonmember government entities are welcome to attend Connect 351, at a cost of $359.
Tickets are also available for the Women Elected Municipal Officials Leadership Luncheon ($59), and the Friday evening dinner ($69).
The MMA accepts credit cards for all Connect 351 transactions and is able to invoice your municipality after the meeting as well.
Those who need assistance with registration can email [email protected].
Accommodations and parking
Rooms in the MMA’s discounted room blocks at area hotels are now sold out, but attendees may still book rooms at regular rates at the following area hotels:
• Omni Boston Hotel (1-800-THE-OMNI)
• The Westin Seaport (617-532-4600)
• Element Boston Seaport District (617-530-1700)
• Aloft Boston Seaport District (617-530-1600)
• Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel (606 Congress St.)
• Seaport Hotel Boston (1 Seaport Lane)
The sites for Connect 351 — the Menino Convention and Exhibition Center (415 Summer St.) and the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport — are located in Boston’s fastest-growing and newest neighborhood. Both are just minutes away from Boston’s major highways, and steps away from the MBTA’s Silver Line World Trade Center stop.
In addition to hotel parking, there are several parking garages located within minutes of the Menino Center and the Omni (view full list of options).
Day attendees will be able to park at the Menino Center in the South Lot. Attendees will not be able to leave vehicles in this lot overnight.
Complimentary coat check will be available on the exhibit level of the Menino Center, near registration, courtesy of the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association, the MMA’s nonprofit insurance service.
For Connect 351 questions, visit Connect351.org or email [email protected]. For Trade Show and Partnership Program information, contact Stacey Compton-Maga at [email protected] or 617-426-7272, ext. 154.