Please note that all times are listed in Central Daylight Time (CDT).
2025 Large Urban County Caucus Symposium
Milwaukee County, Wis.
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About the Symposium
The National Association of Counties (NACo) Large Urban County Caucus, or “LUCC,” is the premier forum for urban county leaders and is the voice for America’s metropolitan counties before Congress and the Administration. The LUCC symposium brings LUCC members together with national thought‑leaders from philanthropy, academia, think-tanks, business, and federal agencies to amplify the voice of urban counties, drive national policy priorities and equip county leaders with the knowledge and networks needed to tackle pressing urban issues.
Housing
All events with the exception of the mobile tours and receptions will take place at the the Saint Kate hotel. Attendees are responsible for making their own hotel reservations. Double check the schedule to ensure you have the correct arrival and departure dates for your meetings. Reservations can be made at the Saint Kate online via our group booking page found here. Rates for NACo attendees are $199 per night plus all applicable local taxes and resort fees. This rate is good until Wednesday, September 17 or until rooms sell out, whichever comes first. A credit card or a deposit for the first night’s stay is due at the time of booking. The hotel requires 72-hour notice prior to the arrival date on the booking to refund this deposit.
Please note that all applicable hotel cancellation fees are the responsibility of the registrant. NACo will not cancel or modify attendees’ hotel reservations; all changes or cancellations to hotel reservations must be made directly by the registrant.
Schedule at a Glance
Wednesday, October 8
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Registration Open |
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Mobile Tour: Revitalizing Milwaukee's Marketplaces and Shorelines Participants will explore how Milwaukee is revitalizing its economy and environment by experiencing the energy of the Milwaukee Public Market and seeing firsthand the transformation of South Shore Beach. Along the way, they’ll learn directly from local leaders about strategies that connect small business growth, clean water, and community wellness. |
6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | LUCC Welcome Reception at the Milwaukee Art Museum |
Thursday, October 9
7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Registration Open |
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. | LUCC Symposium Breakfast |
8:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. | Symposium Kick-Off and Opening General Session The symposium will open with remarks with a welcome from LUCC and Milwaukee leaders and national leaders. Following the kickoff, participants will engage in an interactive activity with LUCC corporate partner Netsmart to set the stage for the day’s discussions. |
9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Coffee Break |
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | LUCC Business Meeting The LUCC Business Meeting will feature Dr. Sheri Johnson of the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, who will discuss how data-driven tools like the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program can advance health equity and guide implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The meeting will also cover federal developments on homelessness and mental health, as well as upcoming FEMA Act priorities and recommendations from the FEMA Review Council, with potential insights from local and national emergency management leaders. |
12:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. | LUCC Symposium Luncheon Nationwide economy experts will provide a keynote luncheon exploring the national economic outlook and what it means for counties across the country. This session will highlight emerging trends, key challenges, and opportunities that county leaders should watch in the year ahead. |
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Concurrent Afternoon Breakout Sessions The LUCC Symposium’s afternoon breakout sessions will cover critical issues for counties, including updates on federal permitting and NEPA reforms, trends and considerations in urban data center growth, and strategies for advancing affordable housing. |
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | LUCC Reception at the Harley Davidson Museum |
Friday, October 10
7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Registration Open |
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | LUCC Breakfast & Keynote For this closing breakfast keynote, participants will hear from a senior leader of the Harley-Davidson Foundation about the company’s approach to advancing equity, economic mobility, and community resilience. They will see examples of Milwaukee-based initiatives, learn how the Foundation collaborates with grassroots organizations, and gain insights on supporting workforce development, neighborhood revitalization, and youth opportunity while centering historically underrepresented voices. |
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Mobile Tour: Milwaukee Fiserv Forum Participants will tour the Fiserv Forum, home of the Milwaukee Bucks, and see how the stadium has driven downtown economic development. The visit will highlight partnerships between the arena, local businesses, and community initiatives that have spurred housing, retail, and public space projects while supporting neighborhood revitalization. |
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Lunch To-Go & Departure
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Contact
For questions about LUCC, please email Blaire Bryant at bbryant@naco.org. For questions regarding registration or housing, please email nacomeetings@naco.org.
Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC)
NACo’s Large Urban County Caucus represents counties with populations over 500,000, focusing on urban challenges and solutions. Its members include county executives, board members, and senior elected officials who serve 60 million Americans daily.
Get Involved
NACo members have the opportunity to serve on 31 committees, caucuses, task forces and advisory boards to inform national policymaking and help solve problems impacting counties, boroughs and parishes.
For more information about NACo committees, click here. If you have any questions about getting involved, please call us at 888.407.NACo (6226) or email committee@naco.org.