Insights for Leaders Ahead of the 2026 Election
Engaging Communities to Build The Arizona We Want
League of Arizona Cities and Towns Pre-Conference Session
with Center for the Future of Arizona
Tuesday, August 18, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. MST | Arizona Biltmore, Phoenix, AZ
As elected leaders, you're guiding your communities and helping shape Arizona's future. Join Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) for our annual League of Cities and Towns Pre-Conference Session to explore insights from CFA's latest statewide public opinion research, including the 2026 Arizona Voters' Agenda and Good Elections Project.
Together, we'll examine the issues Arizonans want leaders to focus on, where common ground exists across the state, and what Arizonans value most in elections. Through discussion with fellow local leaders and policy experts, you'll examine how these findings can inform leadership, strengthen public trust, and advance thriving communities across Arizona.
You’ll Explore
- What Arizonans want their leaders to focus on — and where common ground exists across the state
- New insights from CFA's 2026 Arizona Voters' Agenda and Good Elections Project
- How local leaders are translating shared public priorities into action in their communities
- Practical strategies for strengthening public trust, engaging residents, and leading through complex challenges
- How CFA's research, data, and convening can support your work and help advance meaningful progress locally
Before you leave, you'll be invited to identify one next step, such as:
- Apply a new strategy to strengthen engagement or build trust in your community
- Share today's insights with fellow elected officials, staff, or community partners
- Use CFA's data to inform local priorities, conversations, or decision-making
- Stay connected with CFA as a resource for research, collaboration, and community engagement
This Matters Now
Arizona's future is shaped one community at a time. As local leaders navigate complex challenges, understanding where Arizonans share common ground can help strengthen leadership, build public trust, and create lasting progress. This session brings together trusted research, practical examples, and peer perspectives to help leaders respond to what matters most to the people they serve.
This session is an opportunity to:
- Be heard. Share your experiences and help shape the conversation around the opportunities and challenges facing Arizona's cities and towns.
- Learn from peers. Hear how local leaders are turning shared public priorities into action in their communities.
- Explore new insights. Gain a deeper understanding of what Arizonans agree on through the latest Arizona Voters' Agenda and Good Elections Project research.
- Leave with practical ideas. Take away strategies, connections, and trusted data you can use to strengthen leadership, engage your community, and advance meaningful progress.
Who Should Attend
This session is for state and local elected officials and public leaders: mayors, city managers, council members, legislators, civic champions and more, who are ready to strengthen community engagement, align efforts, and lead forward together.
The session is complimentary with your League of Arizona Cities and Towns Conference registration, but requires an RSVP with CFA to attend.