Youth Leaders at Congressional City Conference

Update: January 14, 2026 – Registration is now closed. To be added to the wait list, please reach out to nlc@maritz.com.

Each year, the National League of Cities (NLC) brings together youth councils from across the country to collaborate and learn from each other.   

The Congressional City Conference Youth Program is peer-led and youth-created by the youth representatives who are members of NLC’s Council on Youth, Education and Families (YEF Council). Sessions are planned by the youth and executed by the youth.   

NLC’s Youth Delegate program is designed specifically for high school students, ages 14 through 18, who are engaged in a youth council/advisory board or other civic activity. Youth Delegates attend the conference as part of the Youth Delegate program and must have a registered adult chaperone with them in attendance. 

Chaperones must be: 

• City staff or a youth council supervisor 25 years of age or above. Chaperones need to be employed by a city youth council or local non-profit organization that is involved with a city youth council. 
• Family members nor sitting elected officials are eligible to act as chaperones. 

• Chaperones must accompany youth delegates to all sessions and events. Chaperones should not plan on attending conference activities separate from the delegates they are chaperoning at the conference. 

Registration allows each chaperone to register up to six youth for a 1:6 chaperone to youth ratio. 

Please review our Code of Conduct before attending.

Schedule

Youth sessions will take place Saturday, March 14 through Monday, March 16. The youth registration fee ($355 per person) includes a conference badge and access to all youth programming. All youth sessions will take place at the Westin Hotel, 999 9^th Street Washington, DC. Schedule is subject to change.  

*If you are interested in learning more about the wider Congressional City Conference schedule, explore our travel planner.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Click the arrow to view the answer to each question.

Who can participate in the NLC youth program?

NLC invites youth leaders who are actively involved with a youth council or commission. All youth delegates must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. NLC recommends one adult chaperone for every six youth delegates.

How many chaperones do we need for our youth delegates?

NLC recommends that groups plan to have one adult chaperone for every six youth delegates. Chaperones must be at least 25 years old, a city employee or a youth council leader. Family members may not act as the primary chaperone for a youth delegate.

Who can serve as a youth chaperone?

Chaperones must be at least 25 years old, a city employee or a youth council leader. Family members or current elected officials may not serve as the primary chaperone for a youth delegate. 

Questions? Reach out to conferences@nlc.org.