Family fun is fundamental at NACo’s Annual Conference

#NACoAnn offers fun options for the whole family 

The NACo Annual Conference and Exposition schedule is full of educational content, committee meetings to set NACo’s policy agenda for the next year and networking for attendees. The July dates and location in Franklin County (Columbus), Ohio make it a great place for your family to enjoy a quick get-away while you gain valuable insights to help your county and residents.

If your family is planning on tagging along, here are a few activities to keep them busy.

NACo offers a guest registration category, for a fee of $150–$180, depending on when you register. Guest registration includes attendance at both general sessions, the opening reception and the conference celebration event and access to the exhibit hall. Attendee registrants are also able to add up to four complimentary tickets to the Columbus Clippers baseball game at 7:15 p.m. Friday, July 21 when they register for the meeting.

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See the full schedule of events and register today

Franklin County has also set up special activities available only to guest registrants. The three tours are available when registering and include behind-the-scenes tours of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Ohio Stadium at Ohio State University.  A guided tour of the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens with time to visit the Columbus Museum of Art is the third guest-only option. 

All three tours have a fee of $50 each to cover transportation and entrance fees.

For those who are more adventurous, the neighborhood around the convention center is chock-full of things to do — many of them free.  For art lovers, the Pizzuti Collection, located just six blocks from the convention center, features thought-provoking contemporary art that rivals collections in some of America’s finest galleries. The museum is open 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday ($12/adult, $10/senior and free for students and children).

Food lovers will want to leave time to visit the North Market, site of NACo’s opening reception, where you can explore the maze of more than two dozen local vendors. A local farmers market on Saturday and Peddler’s Picnic on Sunday give you reasons to visit the market daily.

For beer lovers, Experience Columbus has put together an “Ale Trail.” Brew Books featuring the 29 participating breweries can be found at the information desk at the convention center; getting just four stamps earns you a pint glass.

The annual Columbus Jazz & Rib Fest is scheduled to take place July 21–23 at Bicentennial Park on the Scioto Mile. Offering a variety of jazz performances, the event features a barbeque cook-off between teams from across the country. 

You’ll want to pack an extra suitcase if your guests participate in the “Made in Cbus Trail.” This trail includes 20 businesses, including top-rated distilleries, locally designed clothing and artful home goods. Visitors who purchase an item from at least four of the shops can turn in their booklet for a free “Made in CBUS” T-shirt.

For more ideas on places to visit in Franklin County, visit the Experience Columbus website, www.experiencecolumbus.com.  Share your favorite Franklin County shop or restaurant with other attendees by using the hashtag #NACoAnn.