Summer MACoCon Is Over but the Conversations Continue

The 2026 Summer MACoCon might be over, but many of the conversations that filled the convention center's halls are ongoing.In this episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Shantelle Malcolm-Lym is joined by Karrington Anderson and Dominic Butchko to look back at what stood out at MACoCon and, more importantly, what comes next. From packed sessions and hallway conversations to the real issues that kept county officials coming back, the trio reflects on what this year’s conference revealed about the priorities shaping local government in MarylandTheir conversation touches on how counties have evolved from asking whether to use AI to figuring out how to use it responsibly, why energy, data centers, and housing continue to dominate policy discussions, and the implementation questions surrounding Maryland’s paid family and medical leave program and the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund.They also take a quick look at the conversations likely to follow counties into the fall and ultimately the 2027 legislative session, before wrapping up with a few favorite MACoCon moments and more mentions of the Briefing Room than Karrington and Shantelle bargained for.Follow us on Socials!MACo on TwitterMACo on Facebook