Town & State Regional Dinners Return

The 2026 Town & State Dinners, already underway, will again take on a regional format during the legislative short sessions, when schedules can limit legislators' time in Raleigh.

The five regional events, held in Wilmington, Concord, Greensboro, Hickory and Raleigh, municipal officials and legislators will come together to discuss local priorities, emerging challenges and the realities facing cities and towns throughout the state. These dinners create a spacefor candid conversations that help inform better decision-making and strengthen mutual understanding.

Building on the success of prior regional gatherings, these events are designed to foster meaningful dialogue in smaller, more collegial settings, making participation easier and conversations more personal over dinner. The focus is simple and essential: relationship-building, open communication, and a shared commitment to public service at the state and local levels of government. 

We encourage elected officials and local leaders to begin thinking about and discussing the legislative needs of North Carolina’s cities and towns. Conversations at the table often touch on economic development, infrastructure, housing and quality-of-life issues, reflecting the diverse experiences of communities large and small.

When lawmakers adjourned in 2025, they did so without agreeing on a full state budget. A combination of smaller spending bills and other legislative actions addressed many municipal concerns, but not all. As always, local bill deadlines will again come quickly, making these regional dinners a timely opportunity to raise needs and share perspectives early.

The League’s cities and towns faced uphill, defensive battles during the 2025 legislative session, but we found success on many fronts. Bills like SB 205 Swimming Pools/Housing Regulatory Reform and HB 765 Save the American Dream Act, representing significant attacks on local land-use planning authority, were shelved thanks to coordinated grassroots advocacy from across the state. At the same time, a core issue present from the start of the session—downzoning—saw action in one legislative chamber but not the other.

As discussions continue into 2026, we encourage municipal officials to remain mindful of how critical local land-us authority is to successful economic development and community planning. Individual anecdotes reflecting the success of planning when it comes to business development projects can be a powerful advocacy tool.

Ultimately, the most meaningful moments of the Town & State Dinners are found during conversations that continue long after plates are cleared. These exchanges help reinforce the shared goal of effectively serving North Carolina’s unique communities.

We hope to see you at the remaining Town & State Dinners this spring.