By Henry Mortimer, Editor-at-Large
Have you ever wanted to get a kaleidoscopic view of all that Maryland can offer your business or organization? Now’s your chance, says Kevin Kamenetz, the recently named president of the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) and and Baltimore County Executive.
The nonprofit organization, which advocates on behalf of the state’s counties and Baltimore City in the Maryland General Assembly, recently announced plans for its annual Summer Conference, held August 16-19 in Ocean City. This year’s event — entitled “You’re Hired!” – is focused on the economy and job growth opportunities in a range of industries, such as technology, the military, clean energy, the environment, agriculture, and education.
“The Summer Conference is a great opportunity for participants to get a sampling of what products are out there,” says Kamenetz, also in his second term as Baltimore County Executive. “MACo represents 24 jurisdictions, and we are the only nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing local government in Maryland. Our combined budgets are $30 billion.”
Finding new ways to fuel that engine is a top priority for the group, he adds.
“Today we think that the biggest key to the growth of our economy is through workforce development — training people to handle the jobs of the future,” says Kamenetz, the self-proclaimed “longest continually serving member of MACo.”
MACo’s membership consists of county elected officials and representatives from Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City. MACo’s members determine association policy and positions on executive and legislative proposals through an elected Board of Directors and a volunteer Legislative Committee.
New at this year’s Summer Conference is a Tech Expo on August 16, co-hosted with the Maryland Tech Council. The one-day trade show features 50 technology and life-science vendors from across Maryland and several technology-focused educational sessions. The mission of MACo’s Summer Conference, which includes educational sessions and a two-day, 250-booth trade show, is to help county government officials and other stakeholders meet and network, discuss best practices, and find new ways to improve local governance, says Kamenetz.
“MACo gives an opportunity for the county governments to not only communicate with each other but also with the outside business world to get a sense or what is being offered to help improve our delivery of services and make us more effective and efficient,” he says, adding that it’s also a great one-stop shop for showcasing his home state to prospective business owners.
“I think Maryland is a very welcoming state, in terms of promoting growth,” Kamenetz says. “There are so many different sectors in the state that give good opportunities for entrepreneurship.”
Find out more about the MACo Summer Conference here.
