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.
Existing Reservations: For any changes to your existing reservation, contact the hotel directly. NACo will not cancel or modify attendees’ hotel reservations; all changes or cancellations to hotel reservations must be made directly by the registrant.
Hotel Phone Number:
(414) 276-8686
Hotel Address:
139 E Kilbourn Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202
For Making New Reservations: Attendees are responsible for making their own hotel reservations. Now that the cut-off date has passed for the discounted room, please contact the Saint Kate directly. If unable to secure a reservation at the Saint Kate, please contact meetings@naco.org. 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 discussions on advancing solutions at the intersection of homelessness and behavioral health, an update on federal surface transportation reauthorization, and the latest on FEMA Act advocacy and recommendations from the FEMA Review Council to strengthen federal–local emergency management partnerships. |
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
|
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Mobile Tour: American Family Field Participants will tour American Family Field, which is home to the Milwaukee Brewers and funded through a five-county sales tax and private investment and offers a model of cross-jurisdictional partnership. This tour will highlight the stadium’s financing model, its impact on regional development, and lessons for counties considering similar large-scale projects. |
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Lunch To-Go & Departure
|
Symposium Speakers

Hon. Adrian Garcia
Commissioner, Harris County, Texas

Hon. David Crowley
County Executive, Milwaukee County, Wis.

Hon. Cavalier Johnson
Mayor, Milwaukee Wisconsin

Hon. Steve Stivers
Co-Chair, Housing Solutions Coalition; President & CEO, Ohio Chamber of Commerce; Former U.S. Representative (R-Ohio)

Ben Ayers
AVP & Senior Economist, Nationwide Economics

Dr. Sheri Johnson
UW Population Health Institute Director; Principal Investigator, County Health Rankings & Roadmaps

Ann Oliva
Chief Executive Officer, National Alliance to End Homelessness

Dr. Tisamarie Sherry
Vice President, Health Policy Division, Urban Institute

Mary Kay Battaglia
Executive Director, NAMI Wisconsin
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.