During the Thursday Plenary Session, city mayors, federal officers, and local officials talked about city responses to a potential avian influenza pandemic, evacuation planning in cities, and the 2005 National Action Plan for Safety and Security in America’s Cities. Ms. Campbell announced the Cities United for Science Progress (CUSP) “Lead-Safe... for Kids' Sake” Grant Program. Ms. O’Neil moderated the event.

Mayor Nickels, chair of the Democratic Mayor’s Conference, presented Mayor McCrory, the Republican Mayor’s Conference, with a Matt Hasselback professional football jersey. The mayors agreed on a bet on the January 22nd game between the Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers that the losing city’s mayor would wear the winning team’s jersey for an hour at the conference. Mayor Nickels also won food from the Bojangles' Restaurants and a gallon of sweet tea.