September 27-30, 2026
MACo’s 2026 Annual Conference is scheduled for September 27-30 in Helena at the Delta Colonial Hotel, and all elected officials are invited to attend.
Rooms have been blocked at the hotel at the rate of $132.00 per night + tax. The cutoff date to get the discounted rate is September 7th.
To book your room, please call the hotel directly at (406) 443-2100 and ask for the MACo room rate.
Venue/Location Information
Delta Colonial Hotel
2301 Colonial Drive
Helena, MT
(406) 443-2100
We are a member services organization, and we represent the wide-ranging interests of our 56 member counties through education and advocacy. Our upcoming conference provides a unique opportunity to build and strengthen relationships, and we look forward to your participation!
Cancellation Policy
Registration will be refunded, minus administrative costs, only if cancellation is requested in writing by e-mailing either mgallagher@mtcounties.org or smcgowan@mtcounties.org no later than September 14th.
Event Materials & Resources
MACo Committee Meetings
MACo’s Committees Are Convening!
MACo’s Policy Committees are convening September 29th. The meetings are split into two blocks of time, with four committees meeting from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. and four meeting from 10:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
Members are encouraged to attend committee meetings regardless of holding a position on the committee.
Meeting Block 1 | 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
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Agriculture Committee
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Community, Economic Development & Labor Committee (CEDL)
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Justice & Public Safety Committee (JPS)
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Land Use, Planning & Development Committee (LUPD)
Meeting Block 2 | 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
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Energy Committee
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Health & Human Services Committee (HHS)
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Public Lands Committee & Forest Counties (Joint Meeting begins at 10:00 a.m.)
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Transportation Committee
What Are MACo Committees?
MACo’s Policy Committees are essential to our Association’s operation, as they represent the interests of the members and serve to guide the actions of the Association.
We encourage everyone to attend the meeting(s) of his/her choice. Even if you are not an appointed member on a committee, your input and voice is valuable and will be heard. Please get involved. We can’t be successful without your participation!
Montana County Coalition Meetings
Montana County Coalitions Are Also Convening!
Montana County Coalitions are separate entities from MACo–not like MACo Committees, which are created within and managed by the Association. Because many members are all gathered in the same location for MACo Conferences, they often choose to convene outside of conference hours to conduct some business. Very smart! See below to see what coalitions are coming together and when.
Monday, September 28: 4:45 p.m.
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Hard Rock Mining Counties
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Montana Association of Oil, Gas & Coal Counties (OGC)
Tuesday, September 29: 4:45 p.m.
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Montana Urban Counties Coalition
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Montana Association of Reservation Counties
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Montana Natural Resources Coalition
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Coalition of Wildlife Counties
MACo Board of Directors, Boards of Trustees & HCT Trust Members
MACo BOD, Trustees & HCT Trust Members Will Convene
MACo’s Board of Directors, Health Care Trust (HCT) Board of Trustees, Property & Casualty Trust/Workers’ Compensation Trust (PCT/WCT) Board of Trustees, and the Trust Members for the HCT will all convene during our Annual Conference.
Sunday, September 27
3:00 -5:00 p.m.
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MACo Board of Directors Meeting
Monday September 28:
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
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WCT/PCT Trustees Meeting
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
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HCT Trustees Meeting
Tuesday September 29: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
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HCT Member Meeting
American Hero Quilt Project
“The American Hero Quilt Project” is on again this year during the MACo Annual Conference in Helena. Please bring your sewing machine, rotary cutter, mat, ruler, and any other basic sewing supplies. We will spend our time making red, white, and blue quilts that will be given to injured soldiers at the Madigan Army Hospital in Washington State.
The Forsyth PieceMakers Quilt Guild will furnish the backing and batting, finish quilting them, and ship them or deliver them to the hospital. If you don’t sew, that’s okay. We will teach you how to cut, press, or design. There is a place for everyone!!
You can come for an hour, a day, or for the whole process. Do not feel obligated to stay the whole time. We welcome everyone for as much time as they would like to spend.
Our Ask: We also ask that each county please bring at least 1 yard of red, white, or blue fabric. We also use cream, beige, or gold. (The fabric cannot have any sparkle or metallic thread in it.)
If any of the exhibitors would like to bring one yard of material, it would be greatly appreciated. And please feel free to be a part of this project!
If you have any questions, please e-mail Marlys Lee at marlyslee@rangewb.net or call her at (406) 346-2969 (home) or (406) 351-3039 (cell).
Thank you so much for helping make this project successful every year. We look forward to seeing you in Helena!
MACo Elected Offices
MACo 2nd Vice President Candidate
Conference Contact Information
Main Contact
Meagan Gallagher
Phone: 406-441-5481
mgallagher@mtcounties.org
Secondary Contact
Sara McGowan
Phone: 406-449-4360
smcgowan@mtcounties.org
Venue/Location Information
Delta Colonial Hotel (click here to get directions)
2301 Colonial Drive, Helena, MT 59601 | (406) 443-2100