Returning to Next.

• Author: Morrill, Christopher P.
• Position: FROM THE CEO

On February 2, the groundhog emerges from his burrow to predict whether we will experience an early spring or six more weeks of winter. In much the same way, the Omicron variant arrived in December to prolong our COVID winter. After months of tentative normalcy, the shadow of Omicron brought with it a new round of challenges for local governments, which are facing both a public health pandemic and new difficulties with maintaining adequate staffing levels. But winter passes eventually, and we're hopeful that 2022 will be the year when we put the pandemic behind us and spring forward to new opportunities. At GFOA, we have been preparing our "return to next" with expanded services and new opportunities to engage with our members as you pursue important initiatives to improve the financial sustainability of your organizations.

Many of you have shared plans for 2022 that include implementing new GASB standards, upgrading ERP systems, making new investments in infrastructure, addressing pension shortfalls, and overcoming the Great Resignation. We're excited about providing the best practices, professional development, research and consulting, networking opportunities, and ongoing advocacy efforts that will help you to meet these challenges and thrive.

Of course, we've already gotten started. In January, GFOA's standing committees met in person for the first time in two years in Washington, D.C. The meetings included discussion around best practices, updates from federal agencies, and opportunities to engage with leading practitioners.

And we're looking forward to GFOA's annual conference, which will be back in 2022. Planned for Austin, Texas, June 5 to 8, the conference will include over 65 sessions, more than 250 speakers, one of the largest exhibit halls we've had yet, and many opportunities to engage with peers. Registration is now open at gfoa.org/conference.

In-person training will also be returning this year. Classes focused on...