Conduit Street

Looking to Connect with Counties? Register to Exhibit at Summer #MACoCon

MACo’s 2026 Summer Conference, “Build What’s Next,” will be held on August 12-15 in Ocean City, MD. Exhibitor registration is now open...and selling out quickly. MACo’s Summer Conference brings together approximately 3,000 leaders from all levels of government and the private sector. With four days of educational sessions, along with 2 exhibit shows (over 350 vendors!), and numerous briefings, meetings, and opportunities to connect with counties, this conference is a can’t-miss event for anyone involved…

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May 14, 2026

Feature / Summer Conference

It’s Time To Register for Summer #MACoCon

MACo’s 2026 Summer Conference, “Build What’s Next,” will be held on August 12-15 in Ocean City, MD. Attendee registration is now open! MACo’s Summer Conference brings together approximately 3,000 leaders from all levels of government and the private sector. With four days of educational sessions, along with 2 exhibit shows (over 350 vendors!), and numerous briefings, meetings, and opportunities to connect with counties, this conference is a can’t-miss event for anyone involved in Maryland’s local…

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April 23, 2026

News You Can Use / Summer Conference

Think Warm Thoughts: It’s Time To Book Your Hotel Room for Summer #MACoCon

MACo’s 2026 Summer Conference, “Build What’s Next,” will be held on August 12-15 in Ocean City, MD. The preliminary list of hotel blocks is here - book your room before they sell out! MACo’s Summer Conference brings together approximately 3,000 leaders from all levels of government and the private sector. With four days of educational sessions, along with 2 exhibit shows (over 350 vendors!), and numerous briefings, meetings, and opportunities to connect with counties, this…

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February 23, 2026

News You Can Use / Summer Conference

Interested in Speaking at Summer #MACoCon? Submit a Proposal by April 15!

MACo’s 2026 Summer Conference, “Build What's Next,” will be held on August 12-15 in Ocean City, MD. Interested in speaking or have a topic you want to see covered? See MACo’s Call for Proposals! MACo’s Summer Conference brings together approximately 3,000 leaders from all levels of government and the private sector. With four days of educational sessions, along with 2 exhibit shows (over 350 vendors!), and numerous briefings, meetings, and opportunities to connect with counties,…

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January 22, 2026

MACo Events

Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally Marks 10 Years with MACo

This week, Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally marks ten years with the MACo policy staff. Kevin Kinnally has held the leadership role in MACo's policy development and advocacy, as MACo's Legislative Director for the last five years. He has served as the lead staff to MACo's subcommittee dealing with tax and fiscal issues, and will also cover elections and emergency services as policy specialties. "Kevin has shown from day one that he is deeply interested in,…

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January 15, 2026

Health and Human Services / Winter Conference

#MACoCon Recap: Federal Actions Against Marginalized Communities Have Residents Seeking County Help

An experienced panel of legal experts and advocates discussed communities that are currently under attack by federal agencies and what local governments can do to help residents in need. Recent federal changes have had a disproportionate effect on marginalized communities across every county in Maryland. A 2025 MACo Winter Conference session hosted a panel of experts to explain these new challenges that are facing immigrants, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and communities of color as well as how…

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December 24, 2025

Environment / Winter Conference

#MACoCon Recap: Local Environmental Justice Screening Takes Shape With New Statewide Tool

At #MACoCon state and local government officials discussed how they are working, across multiple agencies, to put a new environmental justice screening tool to work for residents. Counties currently are facing a climate where federal administration and US Supreme Court actions have rolled back and even eliminated environmental programs, grants, and the like, including those intended to promote and further environmental justice. Despite these challenges, state and local representatives in Maryland are looking for and developing…

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December 23, 2025

Public Safety and Corrections / Winter Conference

#MACoCon Recap: Returning Citizens from Local Detention Centers Starts on Day One

Experts from local detention centers across the state discussed the strategies and planning that begins on day one to return a detained individual to the community following detention in a local facility. Some facilities even keep their doors open in case an individual is struggling in the community and needs to come back for help. During the 2025 MACo Winter Conference session on behalf of the MACo Corrections Affiliate, local leaders in county detention centers…

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December 23, 2025

County Budgets / County News / School Construction and Capital Budgets / Winter Conference

Live From Winter MACoCon: What’s Next for School Construction With Alex Donahue

Recorded live at MACo’s 2025 Winter Conference, this episode features an in-depth, candid conversation with Alex Donahue, Executive Director of the Interagency Commission on School Construction (IAC), on one of the most pressing challenges facing Maryland counties: school construction. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!

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December 19, 2025

Winter Conference

Looking Through the 2025 Winter #MACoCon Lens

MACo’s 2025 Winter Conference, held December 10–12 at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel in Cambridge, brought together county officials, state leaders, and partners for three days of meaningful dialogue and collaboration. Guided by the theme Local Leadership, Lasting Impact: Shaping What’s Next, the conference served as a timely forum ahead of the 2026 Maryland General Assembly session.This year’s general sessions anchored the conference with focused discussions on the issues most directly shaping county decision-making.…

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December 19, 2025