Summer #MACoCon Academy Electives Examine Chatbots, Communication, Common Ground, AND MORE!

County Fellows of the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance are required to complete 8 Core Courses and 6 Elective Credits – MACo announces 7 Elective Courses to be held at the 2026 Summer Conference.

The Academy for Excellence in Local Governance is a volunteer certificate program for elected and appointed county and municipal officials. The program provides a strong background of necessary skills and knowledge for local government leaders. It was founded by MACo and MML, is facilitated by the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy, and is sponsored by the Local Government Insurance Trust (LGIT).

Academy Fellows with questions about their transcripts should contact registrar Elizabeth Hinson at ehinson@umd.edu.

2 Core Courses are also being offered at the 2026 Summer Conference.

2026 MACo Summer Conference Academy Elective Courses

(All courses will be completely in-person, with no virtual option. Participants must be conference registrants to attend.)

Academy courses are open to ALL conference registrants (register online) – Academy Fellows must complete evaluation forms for each class to earn credit.

To Bot or Not To Bot? The Promise and Panic of Chatbots

  • Description: As artificial intelligence tools continue to evolve, chatbots have become increasingly common across both public and private sector services, from customer service assistants to generative AI platforms. The 2026 General Assembly Session highlighted just how broad the definition and regulatory implications of the term “chatbot” can be. This panel will examine what a chatbot is − and is not − and explore how counties are using or evaluating chatbot technology to improve efficiency, support public services, and streamline internal operations. From internal knowledge assistants to 3-1-1 support bots, speakers will analyze examples alongside key considerations, including data accuracy, privacy, public records, accessibility, cybersecurity, procurement, vendor management, and public trust. Panelists will also discuss how local government chatbot implementations differ from commercial consumer-facing or companion AI tools, and what those differences mean for compliance, risk management, and responsible deployment.
  • Speakers:
    • Victoria Lewis, 311 Manager, Montgomery County
    • Ben Yelin, Program Director, Public Policy & External Affairs, University of Maryland Center for Cyber, Health, and Hazard Strategies
    • Kelly Schulz, CEO, Maryland Tech Council
    • Ben Winters, Director of AI and Data Privacy, Consumer Federation of America
  • Moderator: The Honorable Melissa Wells, MD House of Delegates
  • Date/Time: Wednesday, August 12, 2026; 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Maryland in 50 Years and Beyond 

  • Description: This conference asks us to “Build What’s Next” and often that conversation can focus on the next comprehensive zoning plan, the next capital project, or the next four-year political cycle. But when do we start to build out the next generation, and beyond? We’ll talk through Maryland’s position to fit, and thrive, into the rest of the 21st century with an outside-the-box conversation with multiple perspectives.
  • Speakers:
    • The Honorable Johnny Olszewski, U.S. Representative
    • Rebecca L. Flora, AICP, Secretary, Maryland Department of Planning
    • Douglas Mao, PhD, Johns Hopkins University
    • Yolanda Wilson, PhD, President College of Southern Maryland
  • Moderator: The Honorable Lorig Charkoudian, Maryland House of Delegates
  • Date/Time: Wednesday, August 12, 2026; 3:30 – 4:30 pm

Better Communication, Stronger Environmental Health

  • Description: Environmental health professionals are often on the front lines of complex and sometimes sensitive interactions with residents, businesses, and community partners. From inspections and enforcement to education and outreach, how local governments communicate can shape public trust, compliance, and overall community health outcomes. This session will explore practical strategies to strengthen customer service in environmental health, with a focus on clear, consistent communication. Panelists will share experiences navigating difficult conversations, explaining technical requirements in accessible terms, and balancing regulatory responsibilities with a service-oriented approach. Attendees will gain insights into improving responsiveness, managing public expectations, and building stronger relationships with the communities they serve, while maintaining the integrity of environmental health standards.
  • Speakers:
    • Bob Mitchell, Director, Department of Environmental Programs, Worcester County
    • Les Knapp, Deputy Director of the Water and Science Administration, Maryland Department of the Environment
    • Lori Graf, Chief Executive Officer, Maryland Building Industry Association
  • Moderator: The Honorable Kris Fair, Maryland House of Delegates
  • Date/Time: Thursday, August 13, 2026; 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

The Funding of Fun: Parks, Partnerships, and Public Value

  • Description: Many counties are exploring public-private partnerships to expand recreational amenities and community space while managing long-term costs. This session will examine how counties can structure successful partnerships and balance financial, operational, and community considerations. Attendees will hear practical lessons from recent recreation and community facility projects.
  • Speakers:
    • Raymond Bivens, Director, St. Mary’s County Parks & Recreation
    • Jacob Stephens, Deputy Director, Worcester Parks & Recreation
    • Darius Stanton, Director, M-NCPPC
    • Robbie Gill, CEO, YMCA of the Chesapeake
    • David Weiskopf, County Administrator, St. Mary’s County
  • Moderator: The Honorable Mary Beth Carozza, MD State Senate
  • Date/Time: Thursday, August 13, 2026; 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Connecting Visitors to Maryland: Assets that Drive Tourism & Economic Growth

  • Description: Counties do not always need major new attractions or large-scale projects to strengthen tourism and economic opportunity. In many cases, the key is finding creative ways to leverage the assets and connections communities already have, whether through airports, ferries, regional partnerships, or other unique local advantages that help attract visitors and drive activity. This session will explore how tourism leaders are thinking beyond traditional tourism promotion to better connect people in ways that support local economies and regional growth. Panelists will discuss how partnerships among tourism offices, economic development organizations, transportation providers, and community stakeholders can help increase visitation, encourage longer stays, and create broader economic impact.
  • Speakers:
    • Dan Spedden, President, Visit Hagerstown, Washington County’s Convention & Visitors Bureau
    • Kristen Pironis, Executive Director, Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County
    • Wes Heinz, Executive Director, Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
    • Shannetta R. Griffin, Executive Director/CEO, Maryland Aviation Administration
  • Moderator: The Honorable Mike McKay, MD State Senate
  • Date/Time: Friday, August 14, 2026; 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Building the Future of Rural Health in Maryland

  • Description: New investments are reshaping how healthcare is delivered in rural communities. Through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), $50B is being invested nationwide to strengthen rural communities. In December 2025, Maryland secured $168M from the Center for Medicaid Services (CMS) to improve healthcare access, quality, and outcomes across Maryland’s 18 rural jurisdictions. Guided by the Maryland Department of Health and its State Office of Rural Health, the initiative focuses on three core priorities: strengthening the rural health workforce, expanding sustainable and innovative care models, and helping residents lead healthier lives through nutrition and prevention. This session will explore how Local Health Departments are turning that investment into action across Maryland’s 18 designated rural jurisdictions. From building and retaining a stronger rural health workforce to expanding innovative models of care and improving access to healthy food, panelists will highlight the strategies and partnerships taking shape in communities across the state.
  • Speakers:
    • Jennifer Hare, Health Officer, Garrett County
    • Brice Strang, Health Officer, Queen Anne’s County
    • Sara Seitz, Director, State Office of Rural Health, Maryland Department of Health
    • Evan Savopoulos, Practice Manager, Cornerstone Family Medicine
    • Jonathan Dayton, Executive Director, Maryland Rural Health Association
  • Moderator: The Honorable Jeff Ghrist, Maryland House of Delegates
  • Date/Time: Friday, August 14, 2026; 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm

Blueprint in Action: Building on Success and Finding Common Ground

  • Description: As Maryland continues implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, education leaders across the state share a common goal: improving outcomes for students. Join state and local education leaders for a discussion focused on lessons learned, implementation successes, and opportunities to strengthen the work ahead. Panelists will highlight areas where stakeholders have found common ground, identify strategies that are delivering results, and explore practical solutions to unforeseen challenges. Attendees will gain insights from those leading implementation on the ground and hear how Maryland’s education landscape has evolved since the Blueprint’s launch. The conversation will focus on shared priorities, collaborative problem-solving, and opportunities to build on progress as policymakers consider the future of the Blueprint.
  • Speakers:
    • Carey Wright, Superintendent of Schools, Maryland State Department of Education
    • The Honorable Jack Wilson, Commissioner, Queen Anne’s County
    • Ike Leggett, Chair, Blueprint Accountability and Implementation Board
  • Moderator: The Honorable Benjamin Barnes, House of Delegates
  • Date/Time: Saturday, August 15, 2026; 8:45 am – 9:45 am

Learn more about MACo’s Summer Conference: