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. County leaders examined Maryland’s economic outlook, explored troubling national and regional trends, and considered what shifting fiscal conditions mean for local budgets, workforce development, and long-term planning. Another central focus was school construction, as speakers unpacked rising costs, unfunded project backlogs, and the growing gap between statewide commitments and local capacity, underscoring why modern, safe facilities remain a top priority across every jurisdiction.

Throughout the conference, affiliate-led sessions expanded these conversations, offering county-driven perspectives on public safety, infrastructure planning, public health coordination, environmental challenges, and the responsible use of emerging technologies. Together, these sessions reinforced the value of collaboration, shared experience, and practical problem-solving rooted in local government realities.

Other standout moments included Governor Wes Moore swearing in the 2025 Board of Directors and Officers, a heartfelt tribute to MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson for 30 years of dedicated service to the association, and the renaming of the MACo County Professional Recognition Award to the LaMonte Cooke County Service Award.

Below, we show the highlights in frames; however, if you want to be a part of the action next year, join us at:

• Summer Conference: August 12-15, 2026, Ocean City, MD
• Winter Conference: January 5-8, 2027, Cambridge, MD