The North Carolina Government Finance Officers Association held its first fall conference in western North Carolina last week, and thanks to City Finance Director Karen Duncan that first conference came to the City of Morganton.

Duncan is the current president elect for the NC Government Finance Officers Association (NCGFOA) and she organized the 2012 fall conference. The conference sessions were held at the Foothills Higher Education Center Thursday and Friday with a picnic dinner held at Catawba Meadows Park Thursday evening. More than 100 people from local government finance departments across the state attended.

"Everyone thought the atmosphere was relaxing and they enjoyed socializing at Catawba Meadows Park," Duncan said. "I received a lot of compliments and the weather was perfect."

Duncan said some attendees went downtown Thursday night to try out some of the new restaurants and walk around the square.

"Overall, we had a great conference and everyone was very impressed with the City of Morganton," Duncan said.

Morganton City Manager Sally Sandy served as a panelist during a conference session Friday morning. Sandy said many people complimented the City and the Foothills Higher Education Center.

"The City of Morganton has a lot to offer our residents and visitors." Sandy said. "The Foothills Higher Education Center is a great venue for a conference, especially when you combine it with downtown Morganton and Catawba Meadows Park. I'm glad the attendees had a good time and I'm sure they'll be back to visit."

The North Carolina Government Finance Officers Association (NCGFOA) is an association of more than 200 local government finance officers. The purpose of the NCGFOA is to promote improvement of the methods of governmental financing in North Carolina as developed and recommended by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, and other recognized authorities in the field of government administration.

The North Carolina Government Finance Officers Association held its first fall conference Oct. 4-5, 2012, at the Foothills Higher Education Center in Morganton, NC.