WELCOME TO THE VACo 2022 ANNUAL CONFERENCE!
As VACo’s biggest event of the year, the Annual Conference is a must for every Virginia County Supervisor and county staff member. Drawing in hundreds of officials, dozens of speakers, and a host of vendors and exhibitors, VACo’s Annual Conference provides opportunities to learn from others, grow in knowledge, and improve skills.
This year’s theme is “Counties Governing the New Normal.” Counties are returning to the everyday but with some changes.
With roughly 1,000 local government officials, state representatives, speakers and exhibitors in attendance, VACo’s Annual Conference is the perfect opportunity to learn and engage with peers from across the state.
THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING!
When you check in at the registration desk, you will receive an event tote bag with copies of important Annual Conference materials. But for now – everything you need is in your Annual Conference Virtual Bag. Here you will find links to the annual conference schedule, acknowledgements of our exhibitors, sponsors and partners, an electronic version of the program, and much more.
The 2022 Annual Conference Virtual Bag Includes...
Briefing on Opioid Abatement Authority
Tony McDowell, Executive Director of the Opioid Abatement Authority, provided a briefing for VACo members on the Authority’s plans for the distribution of funding being provided to the state from recent settlements of opioid-related litigation. A portion of these funds will be provided to localities, in addition to the direct distributions localities are receiving from the settlements.
Watch the Video – https://youtu.be/LhAy0UGqgsI
Presentation – https://www.vaco.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/OAA-presentation-to-VACo-10.12.22.pdf
New Approaches to Building Resilience in Counties
A variety of expert panelists describe new tools and approaches that counties can use to increase their resilience to flooding impacts.
Dr. Molly Mitchell from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) will discuss tools that can help localities determine the predicted level of flooding in their area, and VIMS’ recent work to map predicted flooding of wells, septic systems and transportation networks.
Lewie Lawrence, Executive Director of the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission, will describe the PDC’s innovative Fight the Flood Program and how it connects residents to potential funding and contractors to assist them with resilience efforts.
And Delegate David Bulova will provide an overview of legislative efforts to address resilience, including the new Resilient Virginia Revolving Fund.
Moderator Elizabeth Andrews, Director of the Coastal Policy Center at William & Mary Law School, will also provide a summary of some other resilience tools and initiatives in the Commonwealth.
Watch the Video – https://youtu.be/B6SdTCbbzXY
Dr. Molly Mitchell Presentation – https://www.vaco.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SeaLevelRiseFlooding_VACo.pdf
Elizabeth Andrews Presentation – https://www.vaco.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/VACoNewApproachesBuildingResilienceCounties.pdf
Opportunities in Energy Investment under Inflation Reduction Act
A significant component of the recently passed IRA seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. It does so by making significant investments in climate and environment programs and providing tax incentives to boost the development and deployment of clean energy. These investments include multiple direct funding opportunities for counties to save money while reducing emissions.
This webinar provides VACo members with a summary and explanation of how Virginia counties can take advantage of these investments. The panel of experts walk through the basics of the IRA regarding eligible funding opportunities in regard to deployment of technology, and how federal energy tax credits have been significantly modified and increased so that counties can utilize them to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Attorney Eric Hurlocker, co-founder of GreeneHurlocker, PLC, which provides a broad range of administrative law, business and corporate law, commercial real estate law, employment law, energy law, mergers and acquisition counsel, regulatory law, and litigation legal services throughout the Mid-Atlantic.
CPA and Attorney Gregory Bryant, founder and managing partner of the BILTgroup, which provides clients expertise on understanding the nuances of federal tax and accounting law including the IRA.
Larry Cummings is a Regional Comprehensive Energy Leader for Trane and manages 5 states for them. Larry has been the Chair of VT’s Sustainability Institute and President of VCU’s College of Engineering Foundation, as well as being on various Boards for industry groups.
Watch the Video – https://youtu.be/rS8socSfWC8
Gregory Bryant (BILTgroup) and Erick Hurlocker (GreeneHurlocker, PLC) PRESENTATION – https://www.vaco.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/EnergyInvestmentsIRAWebinarSlides22.pdf
- Annual Conference Program
- Annual Conference County Connections
- Annual Conference Quick Agenda
- Annual Conference Long Agenda
- Greater Richmond Convention Center Maps | Level 1 | Level 2
10 – 11:15 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS
AV Sponsors: Trane/GreeneHurlocker/BILT Group and The Teneo Group
STATE BUDGET PREVIEW: NAVIGATING A CHANGING ECONOMIC LANDSCAPE | Grand Ballroom B21A
TRANSFORMATIONS IN AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY | Room B20
TRANSPORTATION IN THE COMMONWEALTH | Room B15b
MEDIATORS, FACILITATORS, AND OTHER CONSULTANTS – WHY DO I NEED THEM? | Room B15c
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS
TAX POLICY, THE STATE BUDGET, AND THE STATE-LOCAL PARTNERSHIP: LEGISLATIVE PERSPECTIVES | Grand Ballroom B21A
MEETING VIRGINIA’S NEED FOR HOUSING | Room B20
SPORTS TOURISM BOOMS IN VIRGINIA | Room B15b
EMERGING CHALLENGES IN CYBERSECURITY | Room B15c
2:45 – 4 p.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS
K-12 EDUCATION FUNDING AND INITIATIVES | Grand Ballroom B21A
THE NEW ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE | Room B20
KEY ISSUES IN SOCIAL SERVICES: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES | Room B15b
VACo/VSBA COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION | Room B15c
Thank you Sponsors for all you do to make the VACo Annual Conference a success!
Thank you Exhibitors! The Annual Conference would not be what it is without you!
Rural Caucus Reception
Wednesday, January 18, 2023 | Omni Richmond Hotel | Registration Form
VACo/VML/VAPDC Local Government Day at the General Assembly and VACo/VML Legislative Reception
Thursday, January 19, 2023 | Omni Richmond Hotel | Registration Form
VACo Chairpersons’ Institute
Friday, January 20, 2023 and Saturday, January 21, 2023 | Registration Form
Join us for VACo’s Solutions Showcases
If you’d like to learn how you can improve your county’s safety, energy costs, and communications – then these Solutions Showcases are for you. Learn how these VACo sponsors can help you serve your community better while saving time and money.
SCHEDULE OF SHOWCASES
(All Showcases are in the Governor’s Room 20B)
- The Teneo Group
Sunday, November 13 | 3:40-3:55pm - Energix Renewables
Sunday, November 13 | 4:20-4:35pm - Amazon Web Services
Monday, November 14 | 8:15-8:30am - Blue Line Solutions, LLC
Monday, November 14 | 1:05-1:20pm - Strata Clean Energy
Monday, November 14 | 1:25-1:40pm
Past Annual Conferences
VACo Recognizes Graduates of the Virginia Certified County Supervisors’ Program
RICHMOND (November 16, 2021)—The Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) recognized the 16th
Meg Bohmke Elected VACo President for 2021-2022
RICHMOND (November 16, 2021)— The membership of the Virginia Association of Counties
VACo 87th Annual Conference Breakout Sessions
Every year education is the foundation and the focus of the VACo
VACo 2020 Annual Conference Recap
COUNTIES CHARTING A NEW COURSE It was indeed an exceptional Annual Conference.