Snapshots from Atlanta.

• Position: SUMMIT SUMMARY - Conference notes

Atlanta lived up to its "Hotlanta" nickname during NCSL's Legislative Summit in August, warmly welcoming nearly 5,000 lawmakers, staff and others to the cool, cavernous Georgia World Congress Center, where tireless volunteers from the Georgia General Assembly helped attendees find their way to four general sessions, 100+ policy and committee meetings, and the Exhibit Hall, filled with 181 exhibitors.

An all-star lineup of keynote speakers included the first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court, Sandra Day O'Connor; CNN commentator David Gergen; TIAA-CREF CEO Roger Ferguson; and Standard & Poor's Chief U.S. Economist Beth Ann Bovino. Policy sessions covered a range of hot topics, from data mining and drones to mobile apps and military veterans.

Attendees also found time to pack more than 1,000 backpacks of food for Atlanta's kids through the Backpack Buddy Challenge organized by NCSL's Hunger Partnership. States competed for $12,000 in grants provided by Yum! Foods to use for fighting hunger in their states. Georgia packed the most backpacks, followed by New Mexico and Utah, while New Hampshire and Oregon had the highest participation rates.

Networking opportunities abounded at the opening "Georgia on My Mind" reception, several interactive policy sessions, the walk for wellness, bipartisan bike ride, and the "Whale of an Evening," final event at the aquarium.

Next year's Summit takes us to beautiful Minneapolis, Aug. 19-22. Mark the date now as it's sure to be another great Summit full of inspiring speakers, dynamic sessions and fun networking events.

CHANGING OF THE GUARD: NEW OFFICERS

* President: Oregon Senator Bruce Start (R)

* President-Elect: Nevada Senator Debbie Smith (D)

* Vice President: Utah Senator Curt Bramble (R)

* Staff Chair: Tom Wright, chief of staff for the Alaska House speaker

* Staff Vice Chair: Margaret "Peggy" Piety, staff attorney, Indiana Legislative Services Agency

COMMENTS FROM SURVEY

"The summit covered everything--as much information as an individual could choose to obtain. "

"The best session was the immigration panel with an update on the federal immigration bill."

"There were several very helpful, substantive sessions, like the pension track, legal...