#FACCFall2026
October 4-8, 2026
Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa
600 US Highway 41
Palmetto, FL 34221
The room rate is $261.50 per night.
Note: In order to receive the member registration rate, FACC dues must be paid first. Renew Dues
Attendee Registration
Important Dates:
Hotel Cutoff September 10
Early Registration Ends September 10
Cancellation Requests September 18
Advance Registration Closes September 30
After September 30, please register on-site.
Note: In order to receive the member registration rate, FACC dues must be paid first. Renew Dues
If you have any questions regarding which CMC track (First-Year or Second/Third-Year) you should attend, please contact Leslie Howington, Education Coordinator, Florida Institute of Government at [email protected] or 850.645.6700.
Refunds: cancellations must be in writing and emailed to [email protected]. Substitutions may be made at any time with advance notice. All cancellations received by Friday, September 18, 2026, will be entitled to a refund minus a $50 administrative fee.
Download Registration Form Only
Download One Day Only Registration Form
Questions? Call 850.222.9684 or email FACC staff.
Hotel Information
Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa
600 US Highway 41
Palmetto, FL 34221
The room rate is $261.50 per night plus tax, which includes the mandatory resort fee. The hotel offers our group the following parking concessions: complimentary overnight self-parking, overnight valet parking at $35 per night, and daily valet parking at $15 per car.
Note, after you register for the event, the hotel reservation link will be emailed to you in your confirmation email.
Know Before You Go Informational Webinar
Please plan to attend a Know Before You Go Informational Webinar about the Fall Academy on Monday, September 28 at 2:00 p.m. ET via Zoom.
To register for this free webinar, contact [email protected].
Attendance at this webinar is optional.
This webinar is for informational purposes only; it is not approved for any CMC/MMC points or hours.
Pre-Academy Workshops: Athenian Dialogues
Two different Athenian Dialogues will be offered on Sunday, October 4.
Athenian Dialogue: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership (25th Edition) by John C. Maxwell
This Athenian Dialogue discusses the book The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership (25th Edition) by John C. Maxwell. Through guided discussion, participants will explore key leadership principles such as influence, empowerment, intuition, respect, and legacy, and consider how they apply to real-world situations. Drawing on examples, this dialogue will discuss and share insights and lessons learned from the book. Join the conversation to strengthen your leadership skills and gain practical ideas you can apply in your professional and personal life.
Presented by: Camilla G. Pitman, MMC, Certified Professional Legal Secretary, City Clerk, Greenville, SC
Athenian Dialogue: It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership by Colin Powell
This Athenian Dialogue discusses the book It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership by Colin Powell. Drawing on a lifetime of military service, public leadership, and personal experience, Powell presents a collection of lessons and principles that guided his remarkable career. Through thoughtful discussion and reflection, participants will examine enduring themes of leadership, integrity, resilience, communication, and accountability. This Dialogue offers an opportunity to consider how Powell’s practical wisdom can be applied to both professional and personal challenges, inspiring participants to lead with purpose, strength, and confidence.
Presented by: Michael L. Abels, ICMA-CM, Retired City Manager, DeLand, FL
Choose one dialogue to attend.
All participants must have completed the book in its entirety as a prerequisite.
Dialogues are conversations among participants, and due to the small class size, offer the opportunity to share experiences, professional and personal, as they relate to the author or the characters in the book.
Athenian Dialogues explore leadership qualities in yourself. Take notes as you read the book and bring your favorite quote. Athenian Leadership Society Dialogues are for a minimum of 10 and limited to 30 participants per session, on a first-come, first-served basis.
*These Athenian Dialogues have been pre-approved for three IIMC CMC or MMC education points with the satisfactory, timely completion of a learning assessment.
Registration is $100, plus purchase of the book; lunch is on your own from 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Buddy Program
Is this your first time attending an FACC Fall Academy? If so, sign up for an event buddy by
contacting FACC Mentoring Committee Chair Jennifer R. Carfagno, MMC (City Clerk, City of Pinellas Park) at [email protected]. An event buddy will be assigned to you to help you navigate the Academy and answer any questions you may have.
If you have attended past events and would like to serve as a buddy to a new attendee, please contact Jennifer.
Clerks’ Night Out
Registration and more information coming soon!
Donations Needed for Welcome Bags & Door Prizes
The Fall Academy Host Committee is asking for your help to make this year’s academy extra special!
Welcome Bag Items Needed
We are seeking donations of “City Treasures” and other small items to include in attendee welcome bags. We will be assembling 250 welcome bags, and all contributions are greatly appreciated. Suggested items include:
– Snacks or candy
– City‑branded or promotional items
– Pens or office supplies
– Hand lotion or hand sanitizer
– Small tissue packs
– Items of interest from your community
Door Prizes Needed
We are also accepting donations for academy door prizes. If you’re willing to contribute a gift basket, prize, or gift card, please consider items such as:
– Gift cards
– Goody or themed baskets
– Candles
– Jewelry
– Other fun or unique items
Delivery Details & Deadlines
– Welcome bag items must be mailed in advance or delivered to the academy registration desk by Sunday, October 4 at 1:00 p.m.
– Door prizes may be mailed in advance or delivered to the academy registration desk by Tuesday, October 6.
Items may be mailed to Host Committee Co-Chairs:
City Clerk James R. Freeman, CMC, MBA, CIA, FRA-RP
Deputy City Clerk Cassi L. Bailey, CMC, CPPT
City of Palmetto
516 8th Ave W
Palmetto, FL 34221-5122
Questions? Please contact Host Committee Co-Chairs James Freeman at [email protected] or Cassi Bailey at [email protected].
Thank you in advance for your generosity and support in helping create a welcoming and enjoyable experience for all academy attendees!
Event Attire
Attire for this event is business casual.
Meeting rooms are often cool, so you may wish to bring a sweater.
Light Continental Breakfasts
A light continental breakfast is provided for the Athenian Dialogue attendees on the morning of Sunday, October 4.
A light continental breakfast will be provided for Fall Academy attendees on the mornings of Monday, October 5, through Thursday, October 8.
Pink to the Extreme Contest
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, FACC encourages attendees to wear pink on Monday, October 5.
Dress in the most extreme amount of pink clothes and accessories you have and participate in the Pink to the Extreme Contest. You could win a $50 discount to a future FACC event! This prize can be applied to the 2027 Summer Conference & Academy, a live webinar of your choice from November 2026 through July 2027, or a pre-recorded webinar. This prize must be used before the end of July 2027. Get involved and support our Pink to the Extreme Contest in support of breast cancer awareness!
Questions About the Event?
Contact [email protected].