Join your county colleagues at 2026 Michigan Counties Annual Conference
County leaders are again invited to gather at the Grand Traverse Resort in Grand Traverse County for the 2026 Michigan Counties Annual Conference. This year’s event will run Sept. 9-11 (Wednesday-Friday).
This three-day, two-night event will feature:
- Addresses from the major party candidates for governor (invited to attend).
- The 2026 President’s Banquet, featuring the installation of Newaygo County’s Bryan Kolk as MAC’s 118th president.
- A Welcome Reception and strolling dinner in the Exhibitor Hall with more than 40 firms providing goods and services of importance to county government.
- MAC’s Annual Business Meeting, which will review and approve MAC’s policy platforms for the coming year.
- Membership elections for five seats on the MAC Board of Directors.
- Ten policy workshops ranging from the local government role in data center siting and community corrections, to investments in dam safety and emergency preparedness.
The conference also will include plenty of time for members to network and enjoy the facilities of the resort and the surrounding Grand Traverse community.
Registration details
CLICK HERE for your conference registration.
- Fees: $495 for members and MAC Affiliates*; $275 for spouse/guest meal package; $995 for corporate attendees and non-members
- Deadline: Aug. 28
- The following are eligible for the member rate: county commissioners, county administrators, countywide elected officials, county staffers and staffers of MAC affiliates.
CLICK HERE for your hotel registration.
- Venue: Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, 100 Grand Traverse Village Blvd., Acme
- Rates: $229 (Hotel Guestroom) or $279 (Tower Guestroom)*
- *Rates do not include Resort Fee of $20.95 per room/per night or applicable taxes.
- Deadline: Aug. 14*
- *There is no guarantee that rooms will be available until Aug. 14, so you are encouraged to reserve early.
For any conference registration question, contact Olivia Triltsch at triltsch@micounties.org.
Catch up on special Podcast 83 episodes on MAC opioid, business services
Podcast 83 has entered its summer schedule of biweekly episodes, so members have an opportunity this week to catch up on a couple of recent special episodes:
- June 30: Tony Raffa of Savi joined Podcast 83 to go over the huge changes to federal student loan programs on July 1 and discuss how Savi can help counties and their employees reduce their loan burdens.
- June 2: Amy Dolinky, MAC’s director of opioid services, discusses the state of Michigan’s new list on proper spending targets for county opioid settlement funds and how MAC can guide members through these tough decisions.
- May 12: American Fidelity, a MAC Service Corp. sponsored program, is growing its presence in Michigan to help counties coordinate employee benefits and improve workforce retention strategies.
All podcast episodes can be found on MAC’s website by clicking here.
Another 22 Michigan county leaders graduate from NACo training program
MAC joins the National Association of Counties (NACo) and its High Performance Leadership Academy (HPLA) in congratulating the latest cohort to complete an HPLA training course.
Graduating in the April 2026 class were:
- Aimee Howard, Behavior Treatment Supervisor, Muskegon County
- Angela Holmstrom, Clinical Services Supervisor, Muskegon County
- Brandon Baskin, Manager of Patient Financial Services, Muskegon County
- Casey Olson, Recipient Rights Officer, Muskegon County
- Christine Perry, Human Resource Director, Midland County (WFN Cohort)
- Dave Rapacz, Central Dispatch Director, Gratiot County (WFN Cohort)
- Dave Eder, Manager of Data Analytics, Muskegon County
- Devan Peterson, Clinical Services Manager I, Muskegon County
- Gilbert Ramirez II, Deputy County Administrator Grants & Special Projects, Saginaw County
- Holly Kava, Office Manager, Gratiot County (WFN Cohort)
- Jaime Haase, Animal Control Director, Gratiot County (WFN Cohort)
- Jessica Higgins, Clinical Services Supervisor II Access, Muskegon County
- Kalin Greene, Specialty Court Director, Gratiot County (WFN Cohort)
- Kayla Webster, Veteran’s Director, Gratiot County (WFN Cohort)
- Laura Bever, Prosecutor, Gratiot County (WFN Cohort)
- Lauren Thomas, Clinical Services Manager I, Muskegon County
- Molly Strohm, Human Resources & Risk Manager, Marquette County
- Rachael Hindman, Clinical Services Manager II, Muskegon County
- Randi Bennett, Director of Information Systems, Muskegon County
- Sheila Barnaby, Deputy County Administrator, Gratiot County (WFN Cohort)
- Timothy Dolehanty, County Administrator, Gratiot County (WFN Cohort)
- Tom Clark, Sheriff, Gratiot County (WFN Cohort)
Developed by Gen. Colin Powell, the Professional Development Academy and NACo, the High Performance Leadership Academy is an online 10-week program that helps your workforce develop fundamental, practical leadership skills to deliver results for counties and our residents.
Registration is now open for the next cohort, starting Oct. 5.
Invest in your workforce today to build the leadership tools needed for a high-impact future. Join more than 15,000 county leaders who have already benefited from the effectiveness of the NACo Leadership Academy.
Click here to learn more or to enroll.
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