2026 Western Interstate Region (WIR) Conference
About the Conference
The NACo Western Interstate Region (WIR) Conference brings together county officials from across the nation to focus on pressing issues facing Western counties and our residents.
Each year the conference is hosted by a county within the seventeen Western states – Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai’i, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming – and provides attendees with the opportunity to interact with federal, state and regional policymakers, participate in educational sessions and take home tools to address challenges.
This year, Maui County will host county leaders in disaster-focused workshops and tours emphasizing response, recovery and resilience.
Conference Schedule
Below, explore the full schedule for the 2026 WIR Conference. Please note that the schedule is subject to change.
Housing Information
NACo’s negotiated housing block is now open. Upon registering, attendees will receive information in their confirmation email on how to book housing directly with the Hyatt Regency at NACo’s contracted rates. Discounted rates are available until the hotel cutoff date of Friday, April 10, 2026, but availability could be depleted prior to this date, so register and reserve your room now. Discounted hotel rates are $349 per night before taxes.
If a reservation is cancelled within 72 hours of arrival one applicable room night will be charged to the individual card used to guarantee the guest room.
Venue
Perfectly situated on Maui’s Ka’anapali Beach, the Hyatt Regency Maui offers versatile meeting and conference spaces designed to support collaboration, planning, and recovery efforts. Located near Lahaina, the venue provides a meaningful setting for discussions on disaster relief and community resilience in Hawai’i.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Onsite Rate is the final pricing tier for the 2026 Western Interstate Region Conference and applies from March 31 – May 8. Even though it’s called “onsite,” you can still register online during this period—no need to wait until you arrive. Simply visit our registration page to complete your signup. Upcoming Conferences | NACoShape
Guests, such as a spouse, partner, or family member, can be added during the registration process for a fee. Not valid for colleagues and those with related job functions.
Please note: Guest registration typically includes access to designated social events and meals, as well as sessions.
Login to our member portal using this link.
Once logged in, navigate to the "Events" tab, select “Conferences” from the dropdown menu and then select the conference in which your guest will be attending. From there, click "Purchase AddOns", and indicate the number of guests being added to your registration, then click “Continue”. It will then navigate to the Event Questions page where you can update any dietary restrictions as well as the name of your guest(s). Then click “Continue”, and then “Confirm Registration.”
If you’re having trouble accessing your registration to make changes, please email meetings@naco.org with your name and the full name of your guest, and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Please email cancellations@naco.org with the full name of the registrant and the name of the event. Our team will assist you with the cancellation process.
Hotel information and the reservation link are included in the confirmation email sent after registration payment is received. This ensures that only confirmed attendees reserve rooms, helping us manage hotel capacity more effectively.
The Hyatt is not currently sold out over the conference dates (May 5-8). We have requested that additional room nights be added to the front end of the room block and will share an update via email once they become available.
Pre-Conference Mobile Tour:
Thank you for your interest in the Haleakalā National Park Pre-conference Mobile Tour. We’ve had an overwhelming interest in the tour and, unfortunately, it is now at capacity.
If you would still like to visit Haleakalā National Park during your stay, you are welcome to do so independently via rental car. You can find more information and resources on the National Park Service website.
Thursday Mobile Tours:
This year’s mobile tours will run concurrently on Thursday, May 7 and offer participants the opportunity to choose a tour topic that resonates and learn directly from Maui County leaders, community organizations, and on-the-ground experts working to address pressing local priorities. While specific itineraries are still being finalized, tours are expected to focus on topics such as disaster recovery, community development, cultural initiatives, coastal and environmental restoration and essential infrastructure management. Registration for these tours will be announced once itineraries have been finalized.
Tuesday, May 5 – Boxed lunches provided during Pre-Conference Mobile Tour.
Wednesday, May 6 – Coffee and refreshments provided throughout the day. Meals on own.
Thursday, May 7 - Boxed Lunches provided during Mobile Tours. Meal provided during All-Conference reception.
Friday, May 8 – Coffee and refreshments provided. Meals on own.
Attire for the NACo Western Interstate Region Conference is Business Casual / Aloha Attire.
Given the conference location in Maui County, we encourage comfortable, professional clothing appropriate for Hawaii’s warm climate. Examples include:
- Aloha shirts or collared shirts with slacks or khakis
- Dresses, skirts, or blouses with slacks
- Polos or lightweight professional attire
Tropical prints and colors are welcome. Jackets and ties are not required.
Please note that meeting rooms may be air-conditioned, so bringing a light sweater or jacket is recommended. Attendees should plan to wear closed-toe shoes for mobile tours.
Honoring Hawaiian Language and Culture
NACo is deeply committed to respecting, preserving and celebrating Hawaiian culture. The Hawaiian language features unique elements such as the ‘okina (ʻ), a consonant, and the kahakō (ō), a macron that lengthens and emphasizes vowels.
In some digital formats, these marks may not display correctly or can cause formatting issues. To ensure a smooth online experience, you may not always see them used throughout our website and digital materials.
We honor their importance and encourage their proper use wherever possible. Mahalo.
Additional Information
Waiver of liability link
Click here to view the waiver of liability.
Code of conduct
Click here to view the conference code of conduct.
Questions?
We are happy to help. Contact nacomeetings@naco.org or call 202-942-4292.