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.
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.
The next chapter of America's story will not be written somewhere else. The Next 250 Starts Here. In North Dakota's counties.
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 - a mix of comedy, real-life insight, and playful games built around the idea that shared laughter strengthens connection and workplace culture.
- 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.
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 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.
Monday, October 12
1:00 - 2:15 PM
Upper Level Prairie Rose Rooms
Evaluating the Limits: Policy Impact Analysis for the Upcoming Session
Donnell Preskey, NDACo Government Affairs
Linda Svihovec, NDACo Research Analysis
Managing the Taxes on Your Retirement Income
David Harris, Nationwide
ADA: Is Your Website as Accessible as Your Buildings?
Misty Curn, Luminary Content Owner
Innovative Approaches to Housing
Nathan Berseth, Richland County Commissioner
Chris Schilken, Commerce Commissioner
Tuesday, October 13
9:00 - 10:15 AM
Upper Level Prairie Rose Rooms
Data Centers - Planning & Zoning Considerations (repeated at 10:30 AM)
Ladd Erickson, McLean County State’s Attorney
Natalie Pierce, Morton County Planning and Zoning Director
Role of Emergency Managers
Cole Baker, Cass County Emergency Manager
Ben Gates, Steele County Emergency Manager
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - Impact of Error Rates and Why It Matters
Rebecca Askins, Interim Economic Assistance Director, Health and Human Services
Kristi Frederick, Director, Ward County Human Service Zone
HR: What Every County Employee Should Know
Renae Kondos, NDIRF Human Resources Operations Manager
Dani Krause, NDIRF Chief Operating Officer/General Counsel
Tuesday, October 13
10:30 - 11:45 AM
Upper Level Prairie Rose Rooms
Data Centers - Planning & Zoning Considerations (repeat of 9:00 AM session)
Ladd Erickson, McLean County State’s Attorney
Natalie Pierce, Morton County Planning and Zoning Director
Drive Your Own Talent: How to Implement Your Own CDL Program
Jana Hennessy, Mountrail County Engineer
Dan Schriock, Burleigh County Engineer
AI Foundations: Key Concepts, Tools and Public Health Applications
AAron Davis, Director, Center for Public Health, Wichita State University
The PSAP Regionalization Concept
Jill Breuer, NDACo 9-1-1 Project Manager
Jason Horning, ENP, NDACo NG9-1-1 Program Manager
Tuesday, October 13
12:00 - 2:00 PM
Main Level Hall A
Closing Workshop (title to be announced)
Dale Lennon
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.
| 3:00 - 6:15 PM | Registration Desk Open |
| 3:30 - 5:00 PM | County Recorders Association Meeting Upper Level, Prairie Rose Room 104 |
| 4:00 - 5:00 PM | Load Pass Meeting Upper Level, Prairie Rose Room 103 |
| 5:00 - 6:15 PM | Welcoming Social - a casual kickoff reception for all attendees to connect before the full program begins. Upper Level |
| 7:00 AM - 6:30 PM | Registration Desk Open |
| 7:00 - 8:15 AM | Continental Grab-n-Go Breakfast Main Level, Hall A |
| 8:20 - 10:00 AM | Opening General Session Welcome messages, Excellence in County Government Awards, and keynote speaker Danny Adams Main Level, Hall A |
| 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Exhibit Hall Networking Break Main Level, Halls B & C |
| 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM | Nationwide Committee Meeting Committee members only Upper Level, Prairie Rose Room 104 |
| 12:00 - 12:45 PM | Lunch ILG Awards and Scholarship Presentations Main Level, Hall A |
| 1:00 - 2:15 PM | Workshop Block - four concurrent sessions, see Workshops & Presenters above Upper Level, Prairie Rose Rooms |
| 2:15 - 3:15 PM | Exhibit Hall Networking Break Main Level, Halls B & C |
| 3:15 - 4:45 PM | NDCCA Business Meeting All commissioners Main Level, Hall A Member Association Meetings run concurrently Upper Level |
| 4:45 - 5:15 PM | NDACo Board of Directors Meeting Upper Level, Prairie Rose Room 101-102 |
| 5:00 - 7:00 PM | Exhibit Hall Evening Social - expanded and refreshed for 2026, with heavy hors d'oeuvres and drinks throughout the evening. Main Level, Halls B & C |
| 7:15 AM - 2:15 PM | Registration Desk Open |
| 7:30 - 8:45 AM | NDACo Delegate Council Breakfast & Meeting Delegates only Main Level, Hall A |
| 8:00 - 8:45 AM | Continental Grab-n-Go Breakfast Upper Level, Atrium |
| 9:00 - 10:15 AM | Workshop Block - four concurrent sessions, see Workshops & Presenters above Upper Level, Prairie Rose Rooms |
| 10:15 - 10:30 AM | Refreshments & Snack Break Upper Level, Atrium |
| 10:30 - 11:45 AM | Workshop Block - four concurrent sessions, see Workshops & Presenters above Upper Level, Prairie Rose Rooms |
| 12:00 - 2:00 PM | Lunch & Closing General Session Closing workshop featuring Dale Lennon Main Level, Hall A |
| 2:00 PM | Grab-n-Go Snack - conference concludes. Thank you for attending, and see you October 10-12, 2027. |
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on which day you are joining us:
- Sunday - The registration desk opens at 3:00 PM. Member association meetings begin at 3:30 PM, and the Welcoming Social runs 5:00 - 6:15 PM.
- Monday - Registration and breakfast open at 7:00 AM. Plan to be seated in Hall A for the Opening General Session at 8:20 AM. The day ends at 7:00 PM after the Exhibit Hall Evening Social.
- Tuesday - Registration opens at 7:15 AM. Delegates should arrive by 7:30 AM for the Delegate Council Breakfast; all other attendees can pick up breakfast from 8:00 AM ahead of the 9:00 AM workshops. The conference wraps at 2:00 PM.
Allow extra time for parking on Monday and Tuesday mornings.
The following cancellation policy applies to the 2026 NDACo Annual Conference:
- On or before September 11, 2026 - Cancellations will not be charged.
- September 12 - September 21, 2026 - Cancellations will be charged a $50 administrative fee.
- After September 21, 2026 (including no-shows) - The full registration fee will be assessed.
To cancel your registration, contact NDACo at 701-425-0808 or via the NDACo contact page.
North Dakota Association of Counties
1661 Capitol Way, P.O. Box 877
Bismarck, ND 58502-0877
Phone: 701-425-0808
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