NDACo Annual Conference

2026 NDACo Annual Conference & Expo

Counties: 250 Years in the Making

The Next 250 Starts Here.

 

October 11-13, 2026

Bismarck Event Center  |  Bismarck, North Dakota

Registration is open now - we are excited to welcome you to Bismarck.

Register as an Attendee Register as an Exhibitor or Sponsor

The Next 250 Starts Here

This year's theme celebrates the counties and local leaders who have helped shape America for two and a half centuries - people willing to serve their communities, solve problems, and build a better future for the generations that follow.

Many of the decisions that have shaped our nation did not begin in Washington, D.C. They began in local communities - in county courthouses, commission chambers, sheriff's offices, road departments, and public meetings where neighbors came together to address challenges and seize opportunities. As America celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2026, county leaders have an opportunity to look beyond the milestones of the past and focus on the possibilities of the future.

The NDACo Annual Conference & Expo is North Dakota's premier gathering for county officials - bringing together elected and appointed officials, staff, state agency partners, and vendors from all 53 counties for three days of education, collaboration, and community. Registration is open now - see the links above or below to secure your spot.

About the Conference

Held every October, the NDACo Annual Conference draws officials, guests, and vendors from across the state - making it one of the largest gatherings of local government professionals in North Dakota each year. Many county officials consider attendance essential to their ability to provide the best service to their constituents.

The conference features a full schedule of programming designed to inform, connect, and equip county leaders at every level:

• Educational Workshops - Concurrent breakout sessions covering the most pressing issues facing county government, including ILG-credit qualifying classes
• Keynote Speaker - Danny Adams brings his interactive show, Laughter Is Medicine, to Monday's Opening General Session - comedy, real-life insight, and playful games built on the idea that shared laughter strengthens connection and workplace culture. Full details below.
• Exhibit Hall & Expo - Vendor displays across two indoor venues featuring partners, service providers, and industry exhibitors serving county government
• Awards & Recognition - ILG awards and graduation, Excellence in County Government Awards, and scholarship presentations
• NDACo Board Elections - Official election of NDACo Board of Directors leadership
• Legislative Resolutions - Discussion and voting on resolutions and initiatives shaping county policy heading into the next legislative session
• Networking - Scheduled and informal opportunities to connect with fellow county officials, state partners, legislators, and vendors

Who Should Attend

The NDACo Annual Conference is open to all North Dakota county officials and staff - including commissioners, auditors, treasurers, recorders, state's attorneys, sheriffs, tax directors, veterans service officers, and all county department heads and employees. All county officials are strongly urged to attend.

Exhibiting or Sponsoring?

The Expo puts your organization in front of elected officials, department heads, and staff from all 53 North Dakota counties. Exhibit day is Monday, October 12, with three dedicated exhibit windows built into the conference schedule and the evening social hosted right in the halls.

Shipping and freight are governed by Bismarck Event Center policy - review those requirements at bismarckeventcenter.com before sending materials. Questions about exhibiting or sponsoring go to NDACo at ndaco@ndaco.org or 701-425-0808.

Venue

Bismarck Event Center

315 South 5th Street
Bismarck, ND 58504

Register Today

Rates until September 25, 2026

• Full Conference $270
• Monday or Tuesday Only $195
• 1st Time Attendee $165

After September 25, 2026 cost will increase by $50

Attendee Registration closes September 30, 2026

Exhibitor registration closes October 2, 2026

Registration for the 2026 NDACo Annual Conference & Expo is open now, and we are excited to welcome you to Bismarck this October. 

To register as an attendee or a guest, click here. For exhibitor or sponsor registration, click here.

The workshop lineup and daily schedule are posted below. Times, rooms, and presenters are drawn from the tentative agenda and may shift slightly before the conference - check back regularly or follow NDACo on social media for updates.

2026 Keynote Speaker

Session Details

Monday, October 12

9:00 - 10:00 AM

Main Level, Hall A

The Opening General Session begins at 8:20 AM with welcome messages and the Excellence in County Government Awards. Danny takes the stage at 9:00 AM.

Opening General Session

Danny Adams

Laughter Is Medicine

Danny Adams is an entertainer, speaker, actor, and author with more than 30 years in performance and improvisational comedy. He built a national following through viral video work that drew hundreds of millions of views, and now travels the country as an emcee and keynote speaker.

County work is not short on hard days - difficult meetings, long agendas, and decisions that leave somebody unhappy no matter which way they go. Laughter Is Medicine makes the case that shared laughter is not a break from that work but a tool for getting through it. Danny has brought the show to county audiences in other states, including recorders, clerks, and county officials associations.

Through shared laughter and interactive moments, I help create an atmosphere where people open up, engage, and walk away remembering both the experience and the message.

- Danny Adams

Expect character comedy, real stories, audience-driven games, and a room that does not stay quiet. This is not a sit-and-listen keynote.

More about Danny Adams

Opening General Session Sponsor

North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund

2026 Workshops & Presenters

All concurrent workshops are held in the Upper Level Prairie Rose Rooms. Each block below lists the workshop title, room, and presenters. Sessions qualify for ILG credit.

Conference Schedule

Planning your arrival? Here is how each day runs, including registration desk hours, session start times, and when each day wraps up. All times are Central. This is the tentative agenda and is subject to change - the final version will be available in the conference app and at the registration desk. Sponsored sessions, breaks, and socials are credited inline below - our thanks to the organizations making them possible.

NDDOT County Meetings

The ND Department of Transportation (NDDOT) meets with counties throughout Monday and Tuesday in 15-minute appointments. Find your county below to see your scheduled time.

2026 Exhibitors & Sponsors

80 organizations are exhibiting at the 2026 Expo and 26 are sponsoring the conference. Exhibit day is Monday, October 12, with dedicated exhibit hours built into the schedule. Open any list below to see who will be there.

Interested in joining them? Traditional Exhibit booths and all sponsorship levels are still available - see Exhibitors & Sponsors or contact NDACo at 701-425-0808.

Frequently Asked Questions