HomeMy WebLinkAboutA036 - Resolution approving $10,000 expenditure from the City Council Contingency Account for host bid fee to sponsor 2028 International Town & Gown Association ConferenceTo:Mayor and City Council Members
From:Steven L. Schainker, City Manager
Date:October 14, 2025
Subject:Request from Discover Ames to contribute $10,000 towards hosting
International Town and Gown Association (ITGA) Annual Conference
Item No. 38
MEMO
The City Council asked that the attached letter from Kevin Bourke, President of
Discover Ames, be placed on a future agenda. The request is for the City to
commit to contributing $10,000, along with the $10,000 each from Discover Ames
and Iowa State University, towards the required bid fee for hosting the 2028 ITGA
annual conference.
It is important to note while this financial commitment of $30,000 will be included
in the bid application for the 2028 annual conference, the City will not need to
transfer the funds unless Ames is selected to host this conference. If selected,
the fee will not be payable until February 2027.
The International Town and Gown Association is the global non-profit association
dedicated to college campus and community interests. To fulfill the mission and
to meet the individual and community needs of its members, ITGA convenes
gatherings, educates members and partner organizations, researches topics of
concern, shares knowledge, and mobilizes members to ensure the success of
communities around the world.
Over the years both City staff and City Council members have attended this
conference and came away with a number of good ideas regarding town/gown
collaboration. In addition, in 2010 the City of Ames hosted this annual conference
which garnered positive comments from the attendees.
I would recommend that the City Council approve this request and provide the
$10,000 commitment at this time from the City Council Contingency Account.
ATTACHMENT(S):
K. Bourke ITGA Funding.pdf
City Clerk's Office 515.239.5105 main
515.239.5142 fax
515 Clark Ave. P.O. Box 811
Ames, IA 50010
www.CityofAmes.org
1
Memorandum
Date: September 17, 2025
To: Mayor John Haila and Ames City Council
From: Kevin Bourke, President & CEO, Discover Ames
Re: 2028 International Town and Gown Association Contribution
Discover Ames and Iowa State University Student Affairs Division are collaborating to bring the annual
conference of the International Town and Gown Association (ITGA) to Ames in May 2028. Ames and
Iowa State University hosted this event in 2010.
The conference provides an opportunity for city and university leaders to learn from each other, share
information and lessons learned, network, and build relationships with professionals who work in the
unique field of town and gown relations. Both Iowa State University and the City of Ames are members
of ITGA and traditionally attend the conference.
The bid fee for hosting the ITGA conference is $30,000. Discover Ames and Iowa State University are
committed to contributing $10,000 each toward this fee. I request the city commit to contribute the
remaining $10,000. If selected, the bid fee is not payable until February 2027.
It is my hope we can highlight a true town & gown relationship with the support and collaboration of the
City of Ames, Iowa State University and Discover Ames at the ITGA conference in 2028.
2