2022 NACo Annual Conference & Exposition

The Prenatal-to-Three (PN-3) County Leaders Academy brings together a cohort of elected and appointed county leaders to explore potential policy levers for expanding and improving services for young children and their families. Attendees will earn from their peers and national experts, share successes and challenges and leave with a better understanding of how to champion PN-3 efforts. Questions about this event? Contact Arabella Pluta-Ehlers at aplutaehlers@naco.org. 

This workshop will bring together county teams of elected officials, administrators, and DEI professionals to strategize leveraging offices of diversity, equity and inclusion to address community issues and create places of belonging. It will provide an opportunity for county officials to identify any challenges or opportunities facing each of their separate and specific roles, and to provide time to workshop as a county team on a plan to advance DEI in their organizations and communities.

Join other conference attendees for a round of golf at the Adams County-owned Riverdale Dunes golf course! Tee times range from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

This all-day event includes topics on digital transformation, removing barriers, creating builders for the future and success stories from counties using technology to improve service delivery for internal operations and county residents.

All first-time attendees are welcome to join us to learn more about NACo and how to make the most of the Annual Conference. Due to limited space, this session is open to county officials and staff attending their first NACo conference.

Join the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee to hear from federal and industry partners on important issues. Members will explore and discuss committee priorities as they relate to federal policymaking including the 2023 Farm Bill and regulations such as Waters of the U.S.

Join the Justice and Public Safety Policy Steering Committee for discussions with our federal and industry partners.

Join the Public Lands Policy Steering Committee for discussions with federal land management agencies on better management, wildfire risk reduction, public access and economic opportunities.

The Human Services and Education Policy Steering Committee will convene at the Adams County Human Services Center for an interactive tour and an overview of innovative human services programs. Along with presentations from our hosts, committee members will discuss the future of human service delivery and receive a federal policy update on key priorities. Members will consider and vote on proposed policy resolutions and platform changes to guide NACo’s advocacy efforts before Congress, the White House and federal agencies. Before returning to the Gaylord, the committee will visit Adams County’s Homes for Hope emergency foster homes. Note: This full-day meeting will occur off-site with lunch and transportation provided. Transportation will be provided from the Veranda on Level 2 (just outside the Aurora Ballroom) of the Gaylord Convention Center at 8:45 am.

Join the Community, Economic & Workforce Development Policy Steering Committee for discussions with our federal and industry partners to learn more about topics of interest to the committee, including housing affordability, homelessness, economic development, job training and federal workforce development programs.

Join the Health Steering Committee to hear from federal and industry partners on important health policy issues and best practices related to health care, public health, behavioral and mental health and long-term care.

Representatives will be onsite from CableLabs, the leading innovation and R&D lab for the cable industry. A hands-on lightfield demonstration, discussion of cable broadband technology and 10G capacity, and an overview of network equipment will be included in the presentation. CableLabs staff will also be available following the presentation for a Q&A session.

Join the Environment, Energy & Land Use Policy Steering Committee for discussions with national policy experts to learn more about issues important to the committee, including drought, the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and innovations in water infrastructure. members will also consider and vote on policy resolutions that will be used to guide NACo's advocacy efforts between Congress and the administration during the 2022 - 2023 term.

NACo's Telecommunication & Technology Policy Steering Committee will consider and vote on policy resolutions that will be used to guide NACo’s advocacy efforts before Congress and the administration during the 2022 – 2023 term.

NACo's Health Policy Steering Committee will consider and vote on policy resolutions that will be used to guide NACo’s advocacy efforts before Congress and the administration during the 2022 – 2023 term.

NACo's Justice and Public Safety Policy Steering Committee will consider and vote on policy resolutions that will be used to guide NACo’s advocacy efforts before Congress and the administration during the 2022 – 2023 term.

Join the Public Lands Policy Steering Committee for discussions on proposed policy resolutions and platform changes that will guide NACo's advocacy efforts before Congress and the administration during the 2022-2023 term.

NACo's Community, Economic and Workforce Development Policy Steering Committee will consider and vote on policy resolutions that will be used to guide NACo’s advocacy efforts before Congress and the administration during the 2022 – 2023 term.

Network, learn and discover new solutions for your county with over 100 different private, non-profit and government partners in NACo's Exhibition Hall.

NACo's Next Generation Network is a grassroots forum for young county officials to network, engage with NACo and develop a new generation of association leaders.

4:45 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. | County Talk: Building Community-Centric Public-Private Partnerships to Close the Digital Divide (Comcast)

Hear from policy experts on pressing federal issues impacting Gulf Coast counties and parishes. Caucus members will also discuss federal legislative priorities and strategize for future GSCPC events and initiatives. Caucus membership is open to all NACo county and parish government officials from Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida.

Join NACo's County Talks to hear from county and private sector partners on solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing county governments.

8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. | The Truth about Zero Trust: How to Mitigate Cyber Risks (Rubrik)

When you’re up against an organized, well-resourced attacker, you need to think again about how your county defends against attacks. But when you don’t know the blast radius of an attack, whether sensitive data is affected, and how long it may take to recover, often the only option is to pay up. The best defense is Zero Trust – employing security at the point of data. But how do you employ Zero Trust, and how do you put in place an architecture that means your backups truly are immutable? Attend this session to learn: why you need to think different about data security; why Zero Trust should be a strategic priority for every organization; best practices for implementing the principles of Zero Trust; how to build effective protection against ransomware and more. 

9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. | Diverting Mental Health Crisis from the Criminal Justice System (AWS)

Join the Amazon Web Services (AWS) county talk to learn how Fulton County, Georgia, used the AWS-powered Tyler Technologies Enterprise Data Platform to build a data and analytics solution that allowed them to divert those in a mental health crisis from their criminal justice system. Fulton County’s platform connects data across criminal justice, courts, and behavioral health systems through NACo’s Stepping Up Initiative. Hear how they used cloud to wrangle disparate data, gain accurate and timely insights, and turn their Stepping Up vision into a reality in Fulton County, GA.

9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. | Local Food Solving Local Challenges: Tech-enabled Wrap-Around Services with Tangelo

10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Solving Your Big Problems with Big Data: The Power of Data and Analytics to Improve Child Welfare, Public Health and Court Services (Thomson Reuters)

Every year, county governments generate and collect billions of data points that they need to aggregate, analyze and derive actionable insights to meet the needs of their communities. The amount of data collected will increase as our society becomes more digital. Thomson Reuters uses cutting edge public records technology, data analytics, and workflow tools to bring key content together to help elected officials improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public policies. Join us today to hear how data is used by counties across the US for a variety of applications from verification of identities to child and family services investigations, to court case and evidence management systems and fraud detection and prevention.

10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | The Kauffman Foundation's Four-Part Policy Plan for America's Economic Future

America’s New Business Plan is a nonpartisan policy roadmap to create a more inclusive economy with a focus on entrepreneurs, small business, and a prepared workforce. Hear recommendations on action local government can take and information on a new Kauffman Foundation partnership with NACo to map county support for small businesses and workforce readiness.

11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities (EDA BRECC)

The U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) has partnered with NACo to create the Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities Initiative community of practice (BRECC). Learn about the unique opportunity the BRECC will support in transitioning local economies in coal-impacted communities across the country, and how your community can be involved.

11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.| Cyber Defense for Voter Registration Databases: 5 Areas to Focus On (Celerium)

12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Cyber Threats to Public Safety (Motorola)

12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | How Governments Create Data Dashboards (Tableau & Mulesoft)

Public sector has leaned into data-driven analytics and data dashboards to equip the right people with the right information which is key to successful decision-making. MuleSoft empowers you to connect anything and Tableau enables you to visualize anything, so you change everything.

1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Environmentally Sustainable Strategies to Improve Your County (Aetna)

1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | SHIELDS UP! Protecting Against Potential Cyber-Attacks Against County Infrastructure and Elections (Center for Internet Security)

Kathryn Boockvar,,Vice President of Election Operations and Support with the Center for Internet Security (CIS), will provide an overview of key security resources, many at no cost to the county. Counties will hear about security resources that are designed to strengthen the defenses and response to cyber-attacks. This talk will include resources available through the Multi-State Information Sharing & Analysis Center® (MS-ISAC®) and/or Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing & Analysis Center® (EI-ISAC®), as well as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Why Customer Experience Should be a Part of Your Performance Management Plan and How to Measure It (Qualtrics)

Performance management has long focused on measuring progress on program-specific outcomes or long term priorities. Often, that looks like measuring adoption or program completion rates against targets, measuring the efficiencies captured in reduced costs or time saved. These operational metrics are important for understanding and evaluating government performance. But leading governments are adding a new layer: experience. Experience management captures not only whether someone completed a program, but how their experience throughout: were they satisfied with the service? How easy or difficult was it for them to complete their task? Overall, did their interaction with the program improve their perception of their government? Their trust in government to do the right thing? These kinds of insights are critical to understanding the impact of government investments – both for specific program outcomes, and broader community outcomes. In this session you’ll learn how to measure common goals local governments are setting out to achieve, such as improving quality of life for every resident, ensuring equitable access to all services and building a more diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace for all employees.

Conference attendees are welcome to attend this meeting of NACo's Programs and Services Standing Committee, which advises the association's officers and Board of Directors regarding the development and evaluation of programs and services for NACo members. This meeting will feature lessons learned on pandemic preparedness to inform NACo programming and a preview of NACo programs areas in development. Committee members will provide feedback to NACo to help maximize the impact of these initiatives and help shape NACo’s current and future programming.

Network, learn and discover new solutions for your county with over 100 different private, non-profit and government partners in NACo's Exhibition Hall.

The IT Standing Committee will hear from counties and private industry partners on the next normal for government service delivery, digital transformation as applied to elections critical infrastructure, and how AI and automation are game changers for counties in overhauling paper processes and improving service delivery to county residents. Attendees will hear from DeKalb County GA, Denver County/City Colo., LA County Calif., along with Salesforce, AT&T and IBM.

NACo's Large Urban County Caucus meeting will feature conversations with national and local leaders on topics of importance to urban counties, including, elections, gun violence prevention, and mental and behavioral health.

Join us as we hear from the Hon. Michael Hancock, Mayor of Denver (consolidated city/county), the Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, a recap of the 2022 Economic Development Conference (EDC) and more...

The IT Advisory Council focuses on providing direct guidance into the idea generation and evaluation of NACo technology strategy, priorities, programming and services. Membership includes predominantly county IT leaders (CIOs, CISOs, IT Directors) and several other county representatives.

Addressing health equity is a priority for counties, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the influx of resources from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and other relief funds, this is a critical moment for counties to build the framework for long-term, equitable programs. During this luncheon panel, experts will discuss strategies and examples of how counties can operationalize health equity and start incorporating concrete actions into health programs and policies.

The Veterans and Military Services Committee will discuss intergovernmental efforts to best serve our nation's veterans. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will discuss the Mobile Vet Centers Program, which brings outreach and readjustment counseling to hard-to-reach communities. Committee members will also learn about an innovative regional veterans services model and engage with active duty service members from Fort Carson on the topic of military transition.

The Arts and Culture Commission will hear from expert speakers and commission members on leveraging the creative arts as an economic driver at the county level. This meeting is hosted by the NACo Arts and Culture Commission and is open to all.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, our youngest children and their families have dealt with economic challenges, disruptions to child care and increased levels of stress. Counties are supporting children prenatal to three during this critical period of development by investing in and administering services and resources. In this session, participants will hear how county leaders are filling service gaps and strengthening the systems that support early care and education and infant/toddler well-being.

As counties navigate the local economic recovery process following the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, many leaders are looking to improve long-term economic outcomes for residents and families. Learn how counties can influence upward economic mobility in seven key policy areas: housing, education and workforce development, health, community and neighborhood development, justice and public safety, technology and information access and financial security. This session will also present data metrics to measure and track policy impacts on resident prosperity. This workshop is hosted by NACo’s Economic Mobility Leadership Network.

The emergence and availability of new technologies are changing the way county government performs many core functions. Come hear about programs and partnerships developed by NACo’s Financial Services Corporation (FSC) that provide value-added services in the realm of financial technology and budget management solutions. You will learn from the challenges faced by your county peers and how they have implemented these innovative programs to maximize value on taxpayer revenues through liquidity management and drive modern, transparent budgeting processes.

NACo / Nationwide Lifetime Income Benefits breakfast meeting where this new In-Plan Guaranteed option will be presented and discussed with representatives of county plans and jurisdictions who meet the criteria to offer this service to their employees.

This session will bring together county leaders from military installation counties and officials from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for an interactive and informative session focusing on opportunities, resources and ideas to foster and strengthen county-military partnerships. Discussion will include county-military partnerships on land use, resilience, economic development, and community engagement and development.

Nearly 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. lives with mental illness, and increasingly employees are expecting employers to provide additional mental and behavioral health support. This session will equip county leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to identify signs of mental health and substance use challenges within the county workforce and discuss solutions, such as Mental Health First Aid, that will aid with talent retention.

Counties are pursuing efforts that often include understanding the drivers of inequities, examining baseline data, monitoring progress, funding community-led organizations and centering the voices of community members. In this session, attendees will learn about the strategies counties are using to achieve racial equity in the criminal legal system.

As counties recover from the pandemic, there is a growing opportunity to leverage Recovery Fund dollars for an equitable recovery. Engage in a discussion about national investment trends, county solutions, challenges and strategies to foster recovery across all of our nation's communities.

Network, learn and discover new solutions for your county with over 100 different private, non-profit and government partners in NACo's Exhibition Hall.

Could your county improve in the areas of collections, transparent budgeting, or cash flow? Come hear about programs and partnerships developed by NACo’s Financial Services Corporation (FSC) that provide value-added services for financial technology solutions. Understand the challenges faced by your county peers and methods to effectively address them under NACo FSC’s solution portfolio.

For county leaders in the process of rebuilding and retraining local workforces impacted by COVID-19, the American Rescue Plan’s Recovery Fund provides a key funding source. Other federal programs and provisions in ARPA, however, can be combined with the Recovery Fund to increase the impact of these investments. Learn about these various funding streams and how fellow county leaders are braiding them together to invest in connecting youth to jobs, retraining older workers, partnering with colleges, providing wraparound services through nonprofits and other key aspects of workforce development.

Counties are leveraging partnerships across jurisdictional lines and levels of government to maximize the impact of ARPA resources. This session will provide a framework for fostering effective intergovernmental partnerships with key examples of those partnerships at work.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline phone number will transition to 988 on July 16th, 2022. This hotline is an integral element of crisis services and the behavioral health continuum of care, offering a critical entry point to local, community-based services to support recovery. Through investing in behavioral health services, counties can better serve residents, reduce reliance on the criminal legal system and direct valuable resources toward improving stability and health. In this session, attendees will hear from peers on lessons learned from implementing 988 and integrating this hotline into local behavioral health continuums of care.

When disaster strikes, proactive leadership is crucial. Join this session to learn about best practices in crisis communication, coordination and control.

The Immigration Reform Task Force will meet to discuss the latest developments on immigration reform and hear from federal guest speakers and experts on federal immigration policy.

Learn how the Adams County Public Works Department’s innovative Gravel Road Resurfacing Program used employee insight to create an internationally recognized new standard of paving that is both more durable and driver-friendly than traditional gravel roads.

This tour includes outdoor portions. Please wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing and sun protection. Water will be provided. Estimated return time to the Gaylord is 4:45 p.m.

Please note this tour's anticipated return time to the Gaylord Rockies is 5:30 p.m. 

Adams County's Colorado Air and Space Port (CASP) is unique in the Denver metropolitan area, as it is the only general aviation airport without major nearby residential areas. CASP will serve as America’s hub for commercial space transportation, research and development. Horizontal launch facilities like CASP are developing around the world and have the potential to become the foundation for a global suborbital transportation network. CASP also offers aircraft services, business and hangar development opportunities, development sites for Colorado space-related businesses and easy access to the Denver Metropolitan Area and Denver International Airport.

Hosted by the International Economic Development Task Force, this tour is open to all conference attendees. 

Counties play a critical role in building healthy and vibrant communities. The uneven impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic across different communities crystallized the disparities that can exist within a county. County leaders are well-positioned to resolve these disparities through the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. By embracing these principles, county leaders create the conditions that allow all residents to reach their fullest potential. In this session county leaders will discuss how counties of all sizes can advance equity as employers, policymakers, investors and partners.

Robert’s Rules can help you run an efficient meeting. But how do you run an effective meeting? Learn the strategies for leading an engaging, energizing and productive meeting.

County economic development planning is in the midst of a major transformation. Economic shocks from the pandemic and natural disasters, along with growing attention to diversity, equity and inclusion-focused programs, have prompted counties to consider expanded missions beyond job creation and business attraction. This workshop will provide insights on critical components of county economic development strategies and investments, including economic mobility, economic resilience, placemaking, and workforce development.

Meeting of the The National Association of County Health Facilities (NACHFa), which advocates for the improvement of county nursing homes and long-term care policy and practices across the U.S.

National Association of County Civil Attorneys (NACCA) business meeting and discussion of legal issues impacting all of us.

Join your fellow EMLN members and special guests for cocktails, hors d’ oeuvres and conversation at Après Ski by the atrium fireplace.

The NACo Arts and Culture Commission members are invited to attend this celebration of county efforts to support arts and artists, especially as vital contributors to local economies and expressions of community histories and culture. Reception sponsor Americans for the Arts will be announcing the winner of the Public Leadership in the Arts Award for County Arts Leadership. Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails will be provided. The event is held off-site at the Armory for Performing Arts in Brighton, Colorado. Buses will depart at 5:30pm from the Gaylord Rockies Resort and at 8:00pm from the reception.

Kick-start your day by joining the Resilient Counties Advisory Board for an interactive gameshow breakfast. Join experts from Tidal Basin to participate in disaster preparedness and communication with a twist on the classic games Ice Breaker, Telephone and Did You Know? Get fundamental insights to pre-, during and post-disaster preparedness activities in this fun, inclusive and informative session.

Join the National Association of County Information Officers for a dynamic session exploring communications strategies and tactics to tell your county story, especially how your county is investing resources from the American Rescue Plan. Explore tips to develop effective messaging and elevate awareness of your county’s success stories, with a focus on media relations in counties of all sizes.

Across the country, counties are owners and stakeholders in large public facilities such as athletic stadiums, convention centers, performing arts centers and more. Financing and management of these facilities present both economic opportunities and challenges. Join this session to learn strategies from experts and county leaders about avoiding pitfalls and maximizing benefits of these facilities.