At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, county leaders will close out the loaded Wednesday agenda with a longer look — stepping back, and contemplating what Maryland’s future looks like in 50 years, and beyond.

“Who is not in the room?” as today’s decision-makers contemplate actions that have long term effect? Both state and county leaders make decisions on infrastructure, education, workforce, and other quality-of-life matters that will alter the state, and our local communities for generations to come. This long-term view sits alongside the pressing matters of the moment, as an especially tricky, but important, consideration for public policy.

Maryland in 50 Years and Beyond

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 into, and thrive throughout, the rest of the 21^st century with an outside-the-box conversation with multiple perspectives.

Speakers:

• Rebecca Flora, Secretary, Maryland Department of Planning
• Douglas Mao, Russ Family Professor in the Humanities, Johns Hopkins University
• Yolanda Wilson, President, College of Southern Maryland
• The Honorable Johnny Olszewski, Congressman, U. S. House of Representatives

Moderator: The Honorable Delegate Lorig Charkoudian, Maryland House of Delegates

Date/Time: Wednesday, August 11, 2026; 3:30 pm – 4:300 pm

MACo’s Summer Conference, “Build What’s Next,” takes place August 12-15, 2026, at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland. For more information, visit the conference website.