RELEASE: County Officials, New and Incumbent, Will Gather at MACo Winter Conference to Hit the Ground Running

NEWS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 15, 2022

Contact: Virginia White, Deputy Director | 410.269.0043 | vwhite@mdcounties.org

County Officials, New and Incumbent, Will Gather at MACo Winter Conference to Hit the Ground Running

Annapolis, MD (12/15/2022) – As Maryland looks forward to the 2023 legislative session on the heels of an election, 900+ leaders from all levels of the state’s public and private sectors will gather at the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Winter Conference on January 4-6, 2023, in Cambridge, MD.

Every year, county elected officials, legislators, and other representatives of Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City convene in Dorchester County, Maryland, for the MACo Winter Conference. The goal of the event is to provide county decision-makers and other participants with tools for more effective leadership and a clearer perspective on the issues that will be addressed during the upcoming Maryland General Assembly Session.

Every four years, following Maryland’s local elections, MACo holds an in-depth orientation to provide vital education for newly elected county officials. The Newly Elected Officials Orientation, scheduled for January 3-4, will provide a foundation of governance best practices, focusing on local government budgeting and structure, legislative process, and mentoring between veteran and new officials.

With 30+ educational break-out sessions, general sessions, meetings, and briefings taking place at this multi-day event, participants will leave the conference with a better understanding of county issues and policy priorities. Speakers will address topics such as police accountability, public health, elections, public education, diversity, cannabis implementation, and much more. Participants will focus on challenges and best practices in Maryland county services, as well as building relationships at the county, state, and legislative levels, and strategic planning for the coming years.

With the MACo Winter Conference comes the installation of MACo’s Board of Directors. Howard County Executive Calvin Ball is slated to become the 2023 MACo President on Thursday, January 5, at the Inaugural Banquet, pending election by the full membership earlier that morning.

“The MACo Winter Conference provides an opportunity for our state and county officials to learn more and connect with their counterparts,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, “This year, with new state leadership and many of our veteran county officials, I know that we will be able to hit the ground running to ensure Maryland remains a regional and national leader in policy and planning. I encourage all of those in the public sector to register and attend.”

There is always “something for everyone” at MACo’s conferences. In addition to traditional workshop-style presentations on county issues and best practices, this year’s event features a roundtable discussion on continuing efforts to protect our communities from the COVID-19 pandemic and the opioid crisis, a tabletop cybersecurity exercise, and the ever-popular MACo Good Governance Book Club.

Also being highlighted at the conference are courses from the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance certificate program, 60 table-top exhibits of vendors offering cost-saving services and products to local governments, and several Association meetings and government briefings. MACo’s Awards Ceremony will celebrate legislators and county staff, public servants, and innovative county programs as part of the Association’s “County Champion” series of awards.

Traditionally, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and other State leaders attend MACo’s conferences. This year – though an election year with an Administration transition underway – is no exception. Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford will be installing MACo’s 2023 Board of Directors on Thursday evening at the Inaugural Banquet. Governor-elect Wes Moore is planning to be on-site to greet registrants and give remarks. Wednesday’s Women of MACo and Diversity Caucus Reception will celebrate Lieutenant Governor-elect Aruna Miller as the featured speaker, and Comptroller-elect Brooke Lierman also will give remarks on Wednesday, during the Welcoming & Awards Banquet.

Educational and networking opportunities at the conference allow attendees to learn about issues facing local governments and the resources and strategies for successfully meeting those challenges as they prepare for the upcoming legislative session. The conference schedule, descriptions of the educational offerings, and a listing of confirmed exhibitors can be found at mdcounties.org/MACoCon.

More information:

 

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About the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo):

The Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) is the non-profit, non-partisan voice of all 24 Maryland counties, promoting effective, efficient government through advocacy, education, and collaboration. The Association’s membership consists of county elected officials and representatives from Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City. MACo’s members determine Association policy and positions on executive and legislative proposals through an elected Board of Directors and a Legislative Committee. Through MACo’s advocacy, training, educational programs, and annual conferences, members are provided with endless opportunities to improve their capacity to serve their residents.

More information and conference program updates are provided at mdcounties.org/MACoCon.

Note to Members of the Press:

You are invited to attend the conference and may register free of charge through mdcounties.org/MACoCon.

Please contact Virginia White (vwhite@mdcounties.org) with scheduling requests for interviews of MACo leadership and staff.