Special WCA eNews: WCA Legislative Exchange Issue
February 2-3, 2016: Madison Concourse Hotel
County Officials To Gather for 2016 WCA Legislative Exchange Next Week in Madison

Concourse The Wisconsin Counties Association will hold its 2016 WCA Legislative Exchange February 2 and 3 at the Madison Concourse Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin.

County officials will gather to discuss the important issues that are facing counties around the state.  This year, the agenda is full of legislative leaders and top government officials discussing relevant issues. 

While there are breakdowns for each day listed below, you can also You may still register onsite.  For additional questions, please email WCA Marketing and Events Manager Cheryl Fleck or call at 866.404.2700.       
Tuesday Agenda Highlights State and Federal Issues  

The 2016 WCA Legislative Exchange begins Tuesday, February 2 with a full agenda. Highlights of the day's schedule include:
                                 
9:00 a.m.- Presidential Opening Remarks
Lance Pliml, WCA President and Wood County Board Chair

9:05 a.m.- Legislative Leadership Roundtable
John Nygren, Representative, Wisconsin State Assembly; Peter Barca, Minority Leader, Wisconsin State Assembly; Scott Fitzgerald, Majority Leader, Wisconsin State Senate; Janis Ringhand, Senator, Wisconsin State Senate; and Mark D. O'Connell, WCA Executive Director, Moderator

10:15 a.m.- NACo Federal Update
Deborah Cox, Director of Legislative Affairs, National Association of Counties (NACo) 
 
10:45 a.m.- Executive Director's Remarks 
Mark D. O'Connell, WCA Executive Director

11:15 a.m.- UW-Extension and Cooperative Extension
Richard Klemme, Dean and Director, UW-Extension and Cooperative Extension; Cathy Sandeen, Chancellor, University of Wisconsin Colleges and UW-Extension
 
11:30 a.m.- Supreme Court Candidates   
Judge Joe Donald, Candidate, Wisconsin Supreme Court; Justice Rebecca Bradley, Candidate, Wisconsin Supreme Court; Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg, Candidate, Wisconsin Supreme Court 
 
12:45 p.m.- Legislative Update
Kyle Christianson, WCA Director of Government Affairs; Sarah Diedrick-Kasdorf, WCA Deputy Director of Government Affairs; Daniel Bahr, WCA Government Affairs Associate 

2:00 p.m.- State Investment Update
Michael Williamson, Executive Director, State of Wisconsin Investment Board

2:45 p.m.- The Milwaukee Bucks and the Wisconsin Economy
Peter Feigin, Team President, Milwaukee Bucks

3:15 p.m.- Ask the Attorney and WCA Staff
Andrew T. Phillips, Attorney, von Briesen & Roper, S.C.; Wisconsin Counties Association Staff
 
Immediately Following 3:15 p.m. Session- Prize Drawings 
Drawings will be held for giveaways.  You must be present to win! 
Wednesday's Agenda Brings Top State Leader 

The Legislative Exchange continues Wednesday, February 3 at 8:30 a.m. with a welcome from WCA President and Wood County Board Chair Lance Pliml. Other speakers include:

8:35 a.m.- 2016 Election Polling Update
Charles Franklin, Professor of Law and Public Policy, Marquette University Law School

9:20 a.m.- Gubernatorial Remarks
Scott Walker, Governor, State of Wisconsin (invited)

10:00 a.m.- What Does the Future of County Government Look Like

Dana Frey, Administrator, Polk County

11:00 a.m.- Effectively Engaging Legislators
Kyle Christianson, WCA Director of Government Affairs; Sarah Diedrick-Kasdorf, WCA Deputy Director of Government Affairs; Daniel Bahr, WCA Government Affairs Associate

 

11:45 a.m.- Adjourn 

FAQs....

question marks In an attempt to answer questions we regularly receive on the WCA Legislative Exchange, we've created our list of frequently asked questions.  If you have additional questions, please contact Cheryl Fleck, WCA Marketing and Events Manager, at 866.404.2700.

Can I get a copy of the agenda for the event? 

  

How do I get to the Madison Concourse Hotel? 
Directions can be found here.

I have a question about my hotel reservation.  Who do I contact? For questions about your hotel reservation, please contact the Madison Concourse Hotel directly at 800.356.8293.
 
Can I park directly at the hotel? 
Yes, the hotel has underground heated parking for guests at $1.50 per hour and up to a maximum of $17 per day.  See the sidebar to the right for additional parking information.
 
What is the attire for the event? 
Business casual.  Please remember that meeting room temperatures do not feel the same for everyone. You may want to bring a light sweater/blazer should meeting room temperatures be too cool for you.  Temperatures in all meeting rooms vary, so please dress accordingly.
 
Can I buy individual meal tickets? 
If your spouse or guest would like to join you for a meal, tickets may be purchased for $16 each at the event for Tuesday's or Wednesday's meals.

Can I bring a spouse or guest to the County Reception? 
Yes.  There is no charge for the event if you are a registered county delegate. 

Note: If you are a state public official or state employee subject to the Code of Ethics for Public Officials or Administrative Rule Governing Ethics for State Employees, there is a $15.00 charge representing the value of the food, beverage and other matters provided at the event.   
IN THIS ISSUE
County Officials to Gather for 2016 WCA Legislative Exchange
Tuesday's Agenda Highlights State and Federal Issues
Wednesday's Agenda Brings Together Top Legislative and State Leaders
FAQs
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!

The Wisconsin Counties Association would like to thank our sponsors for their generous assistance in helping to make the 2016 Legislative Exchange a huge success.

To learn more about these county supporters, click on the links below:
COUNTY RECEPTION TUESDAY FEBRUARY 2

In conjunction with the WCA Legislative Exchange, the Wisconsin Counties Association will host its annual County Reception on Tuesday, February 2 from 5-7 p.m.

The event will be held at the Madison Concourse Hotel and is included for those attending the Legislative Exchange.  This is an excellent opportunity to mingle with fellow county officials, as well as with members of the Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly and other government officials in an informal setting.

Note: If you are a state public official or state employee subject to the Code of Ethics for Public Officials or Administrative Rule Governing Ethics for State Employees, there is a $15.00 charge representing the value of the food, beverage and other matters provided at the event.   
CONCOURSE HOTEL DINING OPTIONS

There are several options for dining within the Concourse Hotel:

CIRC
Breakfast: 6:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Lunch: 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Dinner: 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

Room Service    6:45 a.m.-11:00 p.m.

The Bar
2:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.

Starbucks
There is a Starbucks adjacent to the Concourse and the hours are 6:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.  

It is located just off the lobby and guests can access it without going outside.  
CONCOURSE HOTEL PARKING
Please note there is some construction that is happening in The Concourse Hotel parking garage.

Please be sure to drive slowly and follow the signs.

Any overnight guests may also request valet parking at the Concourse Hotel if they prefer if their lot fills up. 

As in past years, if the lot is full, guests will be directed to park across the street at the City of Madison State Street Capitol Garage at 214 N. Carroll Street. See directions and information on this parking garage here.