Charles County, MD – Each year, county elected officials, Senators, Delegates, and other representatives of Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City gather in Dorchester County, Maryland for the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Winter Conference.
This year’s conference will take place Dec. 9-11 at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay in Cambridge, Maryland. The theme of the conference is “Mission: Public Safety,” focusing on policing in the modern age and how new technology can enhance communications, coordinated response, and public relations during routine emergencies and regional catastrophes.
Commissioner President Peter F. Murphy, and Vice President Ken Robinson (District 1), who are members of MACo’s Legislative Committee, will be in attendance with Commissioners Amanda Stewart, M. Ed. (District 3), Bobby Rucci (District 4) and County Administrator Michael D. Mallinoff. Public Information Officer/ Chief of Media Services Crystal Hunt will be a speaker on a panel entitled “Mastering the Media in Crisis and Calm.”
“The MACo conference is a beneficial opportunity for all county governments to come together and share ideas,” said Commissioner President Peter F. Murphy, “particularly when it comes to the public safety of our residents.”
More than 20 educational break-out sessions, general sessions, meetings, and briefings will afford attendees the opportunity to learn about issues faced by different departments of county government. Sessions will cover topics such as police body cameras, tools and technology for policing, media techniques, emergency preparedness, business development, justice reinvestment and, much more.
Panelists at the three-day conference will discuss best practices and case studies in these topics and others. Heavy focus will be placed on the importance of county government services and collaboration across all levels of government.
The goal of the conference is to provide county decision-makers and other participants with tools for more effective leadership and a clearer perspective on the issues that will be addressed during the upcoming Maryland General Assembly Session. The ultimate result of attendance is more effective and efficient county government.
Governor Larry Hogan has accepted MACo’s invitation to attend and address MACo’s leadership and conference attendees with thoughts about the upcoming Maryland General Assembly Session.