A core function of the Association is to provide educational opportunities to meet the needs of members — county commissioners, managers, and staff. The NCACC provides county-related education through conferences, meetings, and events, as well as online resources, drawing on the knowledge of our staff and the expertise of partner organizations, including the UNC School of Government and other private and nonprofit leaders.
Signature NCACC Events
Annual Conference
Annual — August
The Annual Conference is the NCACC’s premier education and training event each year. Held in locations throughout the state every August, the conference is filled with keynote and concurrent sessions with nationally known speakers who will address hot-button issues, and offers numerous opportunities for networking. At each Annual Conference, the Association elects its officers for the upcoming year. Counties also select the District Directors who will represent their districts on the NCACC Board of Directors.
County Advocacy Days
Annual — June
County commissioners and other county leaders are invited to join the Association in Raleigh for a special two-day event. To promote commissioner-legislator connections, the NCACC hosts an evening event showcasing county stories, initiatives, and guest speakers from state leadership. In addition to the evening event, registration includes a legislative briefing program the next morning for coffee and snacks ahead of your visits to the General Assembly.
District Meetings
Annual — (Multiple Locations) February-May
Each year, NCACC hosts a series of district meetings where county commissioners and other county officials meet to share challenges, successes, and issues impacting counties within the region. These meetings offer county commissioners and staff opportunities to hear about the latest legislative developments in Raleigh, network with officials from surrounding counties, and learn about NCACC programs and services that benefit counties. NCACC leadership also attends each meeting to provide an Association update and gather feedback from members.
Legislative Goals Conference
Biennial (Even Years) — November
Before each legislative biennium, NCACC convenes its Legislative Goals Conference, bringing together counties from across the state to finalize legislative goals that guide the Association’s advocacy efforts. The conference is the final step in a comprehensive, inclusive process that allows every county to shape NCACC’s legislative agenda. The goals-setting process begins in August of even-numbered years, includes multiple stages of proposal and review, and culminates in adoption at the conference.
North Carolina Summit on Reducing Overdose
Biennial (Odd Years) — March
The NCACC Opioid Settlements Technical Assistance Team (OSTAT) brings together local government leaders, experts, service providers, community partners, and individuals with lived experience to address the opioid overdose crisis. The NC Summit on Reducing Overdose is a two-and-a-half-day conference that offers attendees opportunities to collaborate, share insights, and learn from one another. Focusing on prevention, early intervention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery, the event helps participants strengthen strategies and contribute to a collective response to the epidemic.
100 Strong Productions Student Film Festival
Annual — April
The 100 Strong Productions Student Film Festival celebrates creativity and local storytelling from across North Carolina. The 2025 inaugural event featured 10 student-produced documentary films presented in three film blocks, a community networking session, and an awards ceremony honoring student filmmakers. The students explore meaningful topics ranging from food resiliency to Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. The festival continues to offer counties and communities an opportunity to support and cheer on these talented storytellers. Admission is free, and all are welcome.
NCACC Educational Opportunities
100 Counties Prepared Training
Annual — (Multiple Locations) April-June
The 100 Counties Prepared training is a partnership between NCACC and the North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) to equip county commissioners and county leadership with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to effectively lead during emergency situations.
Documentary Screenings
Annual Premiere at the NCACC Annual Conference, With County Screenings Throughout the Year
The 100 Strong Productions team uses documentary films to highlight issues affecting counties across North Carolina, including food insecurity, veterans’ transitions, generational connections, and community recovery after disasters. Screenings bring people together to reflect on the films and celebrate county stories, often paired with panel discussions featuring responders, officials, and organizers. These events foster community connections, provide opportunities for questions and dialogue, and preserve local stories. Screenings are free, pre-registration is required, and all are welcome to attend.
Leading Your County Governing Board
Annual — January
Leading Your County Governing Board: An Orientation for County Board Chairs provides an overview of the legal responsibilities and duties for chairs and vice chairs, how to run a meeting, and tips for building and maintaining effective relationships. While this program is designed for board chairs and vice chairs, all commissioners can benefit from the training. County managers, clerks to the board, and county attorneys are also encouraged to attend with their board chairs.
Opioid Settlement Academy
Annual — October-March
The North Carolina Opioid Settlement Academy, hosted by NCACC, the University of North Carolina’s Injury Prevention Research Center, and NCDHHS, brings together local governments receiving funds from the national opioid settlements. The Academy supports counties in implementing new or expanding existing opioid settlement strategies and focuses on justice system interventions outlined in the NC Memorandum of Agreement, including criminal justice diversion programs, addiction treatment for incarcerated individuals, and reentry programs. Participating counties form a team of four to six individuals led by a government representative working on local opioid settlement strategies.
Trauma-Informed Counties in Practice
Annual — July
Trauma-Informed Counties in Practice (TICP), an NCACC initiative, provides guidance and support to local government workgroups as they plan and implement trauma-informed approaches in their communities. The program promotes understanding of trauma’s impacts, encourages cross-sector partnerships, and supports aligning local policies and practices with trauma-informed care principles such as safety, trustworthiness, collaboration, empowerment, and cultural awareness. Counties and municipalities participate through a designated workgroup that includes at least two leadership-level staff members and, when applicable, the local opioid settlement coordinator or administrator. Only one application may be submitted per jurisdiction.
Webinar Series
Topic-Based Webinars Offered Throughout the Year
The Association offers a variety of webinar series on topics relevant to county leaders and staff. Each series is designed to provide practical insights and guidance, held online and recorded for later viewing. The first series was a five-part look at North Carolina K-12 school funding. The Association will continue to offer new webinars and webinar series as topics are planned and developed, with details shared as they are announced.
NCACC Meetings
Steering Committees
Quarterly — In Person and Virtual
NCACC Steering Committees are a key part of the Association’s policy-setting process, offering members a meaningful way to engage in discussions that shape statewide priorities. Through six committees — Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources; General Government; Health and Human Services; Justice and Public Safety; Public Education; and Tax and Finance — county commissioners collaborate with peers, share diverse perspectives, and help guide NCACC’s legislative work. Membership is open to county commissioners through a nomination process, and county staff and affiliates may participate in meetings as non-member attendees. Steering committees meet throughout the year to ensure county needs and priorities are reflected in NCACC’s advocacy efforts.
Opioid Settlement Coordinators’ Network
Quarterly
The NCACC Opioid Settlement Technical Assistance Team (OSTAT) hosts the NC Opioid Settlement Coordinators’ (OSC) Network to foster collaboration and support for local government staff managing opioid settlement funds in North Carolina. The network brings together staff leading the administration or coordination of these funds, with one to two representatives per local government. Meetings provide opportunities for networking, sharing experiences, and exchanging resources.
Board of Directors
Quarterly
The NCACC Board of Directors and its Executive Committee make policy decisions that guide the Association and its staff throughout the year. The board includes five officers, 18 district directors, elected members of the National Association of Counties Board of Directors, up to five at-large commissioners, several ex-officio members who chair NCACC committees or hold other appointments, and up to five Past Presidents who continue to serve as active county commissioners.
Partnered NCACC Events
Essentials of County Government
Biennial (Odd Years) — February-March
After the November elections in even-numbered years, the UNC School of Government and NCACC jointly hold a two-day orientation to county government in three locations across the state. This program is designed for newly elected officials, but experienced elected officials and managers are also encouraged to attend. The session also includes a two-hour ethics training session designed to satisfy the requirements of N.C.G.S. 160A-87, which requires board members to receive ethics training upon taking office as a commissioner and within one year of being elected or re-elected to the office of commissioner.
Summer Attorneys Conference
Annual — July
NCACC invites county attorneys and Department of Social Services staff to the Summer Attorneys Conference, offering sessions focused on county and DSS issues, networking opportunities, and evening events in a relaxed coastal setting. The conference provides a chance to learn, connect, and recharge with county peers.
NCPTS Users Conference
Annual — April
The NCPTS Users Conference offers county staff expert training, discussions, and insights on the North Carolina Property Tax Solution (NCPTS), a resource designed to streamline and optimize all aspects of the property tax process. Built on software developed by North Carolina-based company Farragut, NCPTS provides automated appraisals, billing, and collections; consistent application of property tax law; and ongoing training and support. The system is guided by a collaborative oversight committee and NCACC’s Director of Tax and Revenue Outreach, ensuring best practices, legislative monitoring, and continuous improvement. The conference allows participants to deepen their mastery of NCPTS, share strategies, and enhance efficiency in serving taxpayers.
County Risk Group Regional Meetings
Annual – (Multiple Locations) March, April, October, November
The NCACC County Risk Group (CRG) hosts fall and spring regional meetings for member staff responsible for overseeing their organization’s risk management and insurance programs. These in-person meetings provide updates on the general insurance environment, CRG coverage programs, specific risk areas, law enforcement issues, and other topics of interest. Free to attend and including a complimentary lunch, the sessions feature interactive discussions that allow staff, elected officials, and other interested participants to engage directly with the CRG team and colleagues while gaining insights to enhance their county’s risk management strategies.
Additional Opportunities
Ethics Training for County Commissioners
The UNC School of Government (SOG) has made available on its website a resource guide on the code of ethics. Click here for more information from UNC SOG. NCACC provides ethics training every other year in odd years at the NCACC Annual Conference, and UNC SOG offers training at various points throughout the year. Learn More About Ethics Training
Local Elected Leaders Academy
The NCACC partners with the School of Government to provide a recognition program through the Local Elected Leaders Academy (LELA). LELA helps the Association achieve its strategic goals, including “enhance county leadership capabilities to address challenges, provide efficient and effective governance, and develop future leaders.” Learn More About LELA
Contact Information
For more information about the NCACC’s educational opportunities, please contact the Conferences and Events team at [email protected].