Photos From NARC's 53rd Annual Conference & Exhibition

Sunday, June 9

NARC’s 53rd Annual Conference and Exhibition began in Omaha on Sunday, June 9th. The conference’s first event was a mobile tour of the Omaha and Council-Bluffs area.

Following the tour, the attendees came together at Omaha’s Holland Performing Arts Center for a welcome reception. Omaha greeted us with blue skies and warm temps out on the rooftop patio.

MAPA Executive Director Greg Youell kicks off the evening

Doug Kindig, Mayor of La Vista, Nebraska provides remarks

MORPC Executive Director William Murdock and Eastgate COG Executive Director Jim Kinnick

WPCOG Executive Director Anthony Starr chats with WPCOG board members

MARC Executive Director David Warm with MARC board members

Executive Directors and NARC Staff having a bit of fun

NIRPC Executive Director Ty Warner with members of the MARC delegation

NARC Staff with 2019 NARC President Geof Benson

SLOCOG Executive Director Pete Rodgers, Paso Robles Councilmember Fred Strong, and MetroPlan Orlando Executive Director Gary Huttman

Monday, June 10

Monday began with a “Welcome to the Region” plenary session featuring Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, a video message from Representative Don Bacon (NE-2), and remarks from MAPA Executive Director Greg Youell. The day continued with more sessions on private sector engagement, demographic changes, workforce development, economic and community development, transportation, and a joint committee of the environment and public safety committees.

MetroPlan Orlando Executive Director Gary Huttman

Mills County, Iowa Commissioner Carol Vinton

StanCOG Executive Director Rosa De León Park

Tuesday, June 11

Tuesday began with presentations from Lisa Soronen of the State and Local Legal Center and Jimmy Weber of USSTRATCOM. Following those presentations, the day continued with sessions on land use, funding, technology, transportation reauthorization, and communications. Lunch featured keynote remarks from John C. Fleming, M.D., Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development.

Lisa Soronen, State and Local Legal Center

John C. Fleming, M.D., Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, U.S. Economic Development Administration

MORPC Executive Director William Murdock

ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland

Following the day’s sessions were two mobile tours. One group took electric Heartland BCycle bikes for a loop around downtown Omaha and another group went for a behind-the-scenes tour of the College World Series, hosted each year in Omaha, and beginning this year just days after the conference.

Wednesday, June 12

The conference concluded on Wednesday, but not before the NARC Board of Directors met and selected their new leaders. Congratulations to all of the new board members and officers!