MACo’s Winter Conference Solutions Showcase will feature innovative and effective ways to address county governance challenges. Join us to hear from industry experts and thought leaders on how your county and organization might be able to streamline, save money, and achieve your goals!
The Solutions Showcase schedule is listed below…
WEDNESDAY, December 6, 2023
Unlocking the Power of Artificial Intelligence: Transforming Local Government for a Smarter Future
Hosted by Amazon Web Services
Generative AI is having a transformative role in building smarter communities. Learn the practical applications of generative AI across counties and cities, ranging from intelligent virtual assistants that assist residents in finding relevant information to innovative solutions that automate routine administrative tasks. Discover inspiring use cases where generative AI is empowering local government agencies to provide personalized services, foster resident engagement, and optimize resource allocation, ultimately leading to more sustainable and efficient communities.
Date/Time: Wednesday, December 6, 2023, 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Maximizing Your Benefits with FAMLI: Strategies for Coordinating Benefits and Educating Employees
Hosted by American Fidelity
With paid FAMLI leave right around the corner, coordination and education are key. Counties need to understand how their current benefits may be affected and make any necessary changes to maximize coordination between existing benefits and paid FAMLI leave. Once employers understand coordination of benefits, they can create a strategy for educating employees and helping them understand their options under FAMLI and the employer’s policies. American Fidelity has been helping employers and employees with benefits education for more than 60 years – join this session to find out how they can help Maryland’s Counties through FAMLI implementation.
Date/Time: Wednesday, December 6, 2023, 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM
Increasing Access to Healthcare for County Government Employees
Hosted by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
As county governments face the challenges of access to care, CareFirst is building solutions to help your employees get the most of their benefits, improve outcomes and ultimately reduce cost of care. With CloseKnit, employees have a convenient, affordable choice in their CareFirst provider network for whole healthcare—accessible 24/7/365 for nearly everything that ails them. Through CloseKnit’s easy-to-use app, members can access the care they need, including preventive and urgent care services, as well as mental and
behavioral health support, insurance navigation and more. Join this session to find out more about how CareFirst and CloseKnit can help county employees!
Date/Time: Wednesday, December 6, 2023, 12:45 PM – 1:15 PM
Managing Risk – Focusing on the Here and Now, As Well As Emerging Threats
Hosted by Local Government Insurance Trust (LGIT)
The day-to-day challenges faced by county governments are constantly changing and evolving. LGIT experts will discuss a variety of current and emerging issues including: current loss drivers, sheriff’s liability, and the “Cyber Coverage Conundrum.” Speakers will also touch briefly on the Time to Care Act and recreational cannabis use and what we may see out of the General Assembly over the next few months.
Date/Time: Wednesday, December 6, 2023, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Social Security: The Choice of a Lifetime
Hosted by Nationwide Retirement Solutions
Filing for Social Security benefits is one of the biggest financial decisions employees will make. That’s why it’s called “the choice of a lifetime.” How and when you file could increase your annual benefit by as much as 80%. Join this Solutions Showcase to learn from Nationwide Retirement Services the many filing rules and strategies so you can make the choice that fits with your overall retirement income plan.
Date/Time: Wednesday, December 6, 2023, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
THURSDAY, December 7, 2023
The Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 is Passed! With Reporting Beginning in 2025, Are You Ready?
Hosted by Schneider Electric
Now is the time to focus on strategic opportunities for compliance with aggressive decarbonization goals without relying on traditional capital improvement plans. Counties across Maryland already leverage Schneider Electric’s expertise to create more efficient infrastructure, drive revenue and new growth opportunities, boost economic development, and build a more sustainable and resilient community to attract new businesses and residents. Join this session to learn how Schneider Electric has assisted public and private sector clients on their path to decarbonization by reducing their scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions throughout their supply chains and how to comply with these aggressive mandates within the allocated timeframe of the Act.
Date/Time: Thursday, December 7, 2023, 12:45 PM-1:15 PM
Gen Z and Mental Health
Hosted by Cigna Healthcare
Generation Z includes people aged 11 to 26 years of age and is expected to make up 30% of the workforce by 2030. Every generation has a number of events that can affect the way they view the world. This generation has experienced times of financial instability, ongoing conflict and violence, with nonstop access to the internet. Cigna has published studies around mental health and this age demographic has consistently shown to have the most concerning results…the highest amounts of loneliness, the least amount of resilience, and the lowest average scores for vitality. When they enter the workforce, they are bringing expectations for diversity and mental health options, which – if not met – can drive them to seek employment elsewhere. Join this session to learn how to meet and exceed these expectations as a new generation emerges in the workforce.
Date/Time: Thursday, December 7, 2023, 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Bridging the Digital Divide: Empowering Communities Through Digital Equity
Hosted by Comcast
Comcast’s commitment to working with local governments and community-based organizations to achieve digital equity goals has grown over the years since the pandemic. They have continuously improved and expanded Internet Essentials, participated in the Affordable Connectivity program (ACP) and maintained their $1 billion commitment to digital equity through Project Up. Learn about the status of current ACP outreach as well as their support of rural broadband expansion.
Date/Time: Thursday, December 7, 2023, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Community Solar in Maryland: Clean Energy Projects That Preserve Open Space
Hosted by Solar Landscape
Can Maryland advance large solar energy projects and preserve its precious open spaces? Yes! The state’s new community solar program has opened solar to residents who thought they’d never enjoy its benefits. Now, families who rent a home, live in a condominium, or cannot access residential solar can save money and use clean energy. By installing community solar projects on large commercial warehouses and self-storage facilities, Solar Landscape conserves natural space, too. In this presentation, county elected officials and other community leaders will learn about how community solar is reducing costs for residents, creating jobs, and advancing clean energy equity.
Date/Time: Thursday, December 7, 2023, 3:00 PM-3:30 PM
FRIDAY, December 8, 2023
Help Families in Your Community Get Health Coverage and Access Savings
Hosted by Maryland Health Connection
A community with health coverage is healthier and more protected from the unexpected. Did you know that Maryland has free and low-cost health options available for residents? This session will offer valuable information on how your community can access quality, affordable health coverage through the State’s official health insurance marketplace.
Date/Time: Friday, December 8, 2023, 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
MACo’s Winter Conference, “Eye of the Storm,” will be held at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel in Cambridge, MD from December 6 – 8, 2023.
Learn more about MACo’s Winter Conference:
