About County Leaders
The County Leaders Conference hosted by the Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC) brings together over 300 elected/appointed officials, and department heads from all of Washington’s 39 counties for a 3-day event focused on networking, skills development, and collaborative learning related to county government. This annual meeting of leaders includes:
- Administrators
- Clerks of the Board / Council
- Commissioners / Councilmembers
- Engineers
- Human Services
- IT Directors
- Planning Directors
- Public Health Officials
- Solid Waste Managers
- WSU Extension
Use Your Mobile Conference App
How to Sign in to Whova (Event Platform)
Web App
Click the button below to open the web app in your browser.
- Click “Sign up here” if you don’t have an account yet, and fill in your email and password.
*Please make sure to use the email you used when registering the event. Otherwise, it won’t allow you to join the event. - The app will automatically take you to the event main page.
Mobile App
Download the mobile conference app by searching for “Whova” in the app store or click the button below on your mobile phone.
For Blackberry or Windows Phone, Click here
- Enter the email address you used for event registration.
*To automatically log in to your event, please make sure to use the email you used when registering for the event. - The app will take you to your event page automatically if the organizers have updated the app with your registration information
*If your event doesn’t show up automatically, search for it. Then, click the join button on the bottom of the event description page, and enter the event invitation code the organizers sent you.
Who’s Attending the Conference
Select a County to See Who’s Attending
Program Guide
Check back later for additional speakers!
Meet Your Keynote Speakers
Dr. Christopher Thornberg
Founder of Beacon Economics LLC
Christopher Thornberg founded Beacon Economics LLC in 2006. Under his leadership the firm has become one of the most respected research organizations in California serving public and private sector clients across the United States. In 2015, Dr. Thornberg also became Director of the UC Riverside School of Business Center for Economic Forecasting and Development and an Adjunct Professor at the School.
An expert in economic and revenue forecasting, regional economics, economic policy, and labor and real estate markets, Dr. Thornberg has consulted for private industry, cities, counties, and public agencies. He became nationally known for forecasting the subprime mortgage market crash that began in 2007, and was one of the few economists on record to predict the global economic recession that followed. Dr. Thornberg holds a Ph.D in Business Economics from The Anderson School at UCLA, and a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Derek Clark
Author, Speaker, Survivor, & Trauma Informed
Motivational Speaker Derek Clark’s life is one of resilience and redemption. As a child, he suffered unthinkable child abuse, abandonment and emotional distress before being turned over to the psychiatric hospital at age five. His 13 years in the San Francisco bay area foster care system reflected an early life of humiliation, aggression, emotional distress, overwhelming anxiety, and being wrongfully labeled. Eventually, with the help of foster parents, a fantastic social worker and mentors, he defied the artificial limitations imposed upon him. Derek knows first-hand how to cope with adversity and overcome hardship. His past has never held him back from accomplishing what he set his heart and mind to.
Derek is an inspiring motivational speaker/trainer. His popular keynotes are “The Power of Resilience and Redemption: From Brutal Trauma to Triumph” and “You Cannot Think Negative About a Child and Expect a Positive Outcome.” He is the author of seven books including Disable the Label: Never Limit the Potential of a Child, Never Limit Your Life, and the I Will Never Give Up book series. Derek’s true-life trials and personal triumphs have inspired organizations worldwide with his message of resilience, hope, courage, unwavering perseverance, and redemption. He recently received the International Foster Care Award through SOS Children’s Village where they are located in 134 countries helping and protecting children.
Derek has also been a featured expert on CNN Headline News, The Steve Harvey TV Show, The Ricki Lake TV Show and other TV shows around the world. Recently, Derek has become a viral video sensation for his “Rapping Dad” videos which have had over 250 million social media views.
William J. Doherty, PhD
Family Therapist and Professor in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota
Bill Doherty is a family therapist and Professor in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota. Following the 2016 U.S. Presidential election, he co-founded Braver Angels, a citizen initiative bringing conservatives and liberals together to counteract political polarization and restore the fraying social fabric in American society. Braver Angels now has volunteers working in all 50 states. Bill has presented frequently to county commissioners in Minnesota and nationally. Among his awards is the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Family Therapy Academy.
Thank You 2022 Sponsors & Exhibitors!
Washington counties are engaged in delivering a broad range of services, from public health and safety to road construction, environmental mitigation, and social services. With over 35,000 employees serving over 7.5 million residents, counties are looking to private and nonprofit sectors for innovation and solutions to improve their performance.
Join over 350 decision-makers at the County Leaders Conference and showcase your product or service and build new partnerships with the public sector.
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsor
Bronze Sponsors
County Supporters
Exhibitors
FAQ
Looking for more information? Send us an email at info@wsac.org or call 360.753.1886.
What is the last day I can register?
Registration officially opened the week of August 15th. While we don’t like to encourage procrastination, we understand you have a busy schedule that is always changing. You may register online until Tuesday, November 1.
What does it cost to attend?
Full Conference
Member/Affiliates: $525
State Agency: $575
Non-Member: $700
Single Day
Member/Affiliates: $250
State Agency: $300
Non-Member: $400
What is your cancellation/transfer policy?
Cancellations made in writing (info@wsac.org) prior to October 17 will receive a full refund minus a $50 processing fee per registrant. Cancellations made in writing between October 17 and November 4 will receive a 50% refund of their total registration cost. Cancellations after November 4 are non-refundable. No-shows are subject to full payment. Unpaid no-shows will be invoiced.
Substitution Policy: Replacement of a registered WSAC attendee by a business colleague/coworker will be accepted. Substitutions can be made at no cost up until November 1, 2022. After November 1, 2022 substitutions can be made with a $15 processing fee. After November 11, 2022 no substitutions will be allowed unless approved in writing by a WSAC staff member.
Will there be a virtual option for the conference?
There is not currently a virtual option to attend breakout sessions for the conference. The WSAC BOD and General Membership meetings may be attended virtually through the Zoom link provided in the calendar invite. Affiliate meetings may have virtual options for attendance.