Columbia, South Carolina – Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann of Columbia went to Tampa, Florida, for the 93rd Annual Meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM). He was one of almost 200 mayors from across the country. City officials from all over came together for several days to talk about problems they all face, such as public safety, housing costs, infrastructure funding, and the pressure of the federal budget.
During the event, Mayor Rickenmann took part in a variety of committee meetings and panel discussions. Two of the main plenary sessions were about how public-private partnerships (P3s) might help meet local infrastructure needs. Rickenmann talked about how Columbia has used these partnerships to make big changes happen, like the BullStreet District redevelopment, which he said is a model for other cities that want to boost their economies while still being responsible with their money.
Mayor Rickenmann also took the time to talk about another important issue for cities around the country: the rise of illegal vaping products in local communities. This was done in smaller breakout panels. He talked on what Columbia is doing to fight the problem and how important it is to use enforcement and education to preserve public health, especially for young people.
The conference wasn’t only about policy talks; it was also a time to honor Mayor Rickenmann. He was officially chosen to be one of the 13 trustees on the governing board of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The job puts him in a significant leadership position in the organization, where he sets the group’s national lobbying priorities and manages its day-to-day operations.
This appointment comes after he spent a year on the USCM Advisory Board and remains the chair of the Energy Standing Committee, where he has helped drive debates about getting energy, switching to sustainable energy, and making cities more resilient.
“When mayors get in the same room, we learn from each other, plain and simple. I’m proud to share what’s working in Columbia and bring back fresh ideas to keep our city moving forward. I’ll keep showing up to make sure folks across the country know who we are and what we’re building in the Palmetto State’s Capital City,” said Mayor Daniel Rickenmann.
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Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt was chosen as the 83rd President of the Conference at the end of the conference. Andrew Ginther, the outgoing president and mayor of Columbus, said that the annual meeting was an important place for people to work together, especially now when relationships between local governments and the federal government are strained.
Mayor Rickenmann comes back to Columbia with a stronger network and a new sense of purpose to define the city’s future. He has learned from other mayors and will have new duties.
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