2025 Western Interstate Region Conference

May 21–23, 2025 Pennington County, S.D.

Jump to Section:

'); var elementsToPrint1 = $('a.sched + section').clone(); elementsToPrint1.each(function() { $(this).removeClass(); $(this).find('*').addBack().css('color', 'black'); printWindow.document.body.appendChild(this); }); printWindow.document.close(); printWindow.focus(); setTimeout(function() { printWindow.print(); printWindow.close(); }, 250); }); });

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 fifteen Western states – Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai'i, Idaho, Montana, 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.

Conference Program Sponsorship Opportunities

Register Today

Access our registration portal to register for the conference.

For questions or assistance with registration contact us via email or phone at 202.942.4292 or [email protected] and indicate “WIR Conference 2025” in the subject line.

Registration Rates

	Early Bird	Advanced	Onsite
	Postmarked by 4/4	5/2	5/20
NACo County Member	$475	$515	$645
NACo Corporate Member	$475	$530	$660
County Non-Member	$565	$615	$745
Corporate Non-Member	$610	$660	$790
Spouse/Guest	$140	$140	$140

Registration fees include all sessions and functions that are part of the official program, including the Thursday all-conference luncheon and reception. Registration fees do not include hotel accommodations or transportation to/from the hotel.

Paid registrations cancelled by April 20 will be refunded less a $50 administration fee. Refund requests made after April 20 will not be honored. Unused registrations will not be refunded.

All cancellations must be made in writing by emailing [email protected]. Telephone cancellations are not accepted.

Conference Schedule

For purposes of travel planning, check out the daily summaries below. Click here to explore full schedule of events and workshops.

Explore & Print the Full Schedule

Conference Days

Tuesday

May 20 (Pre-Conference Tour)

Attendees who arrive early will have the option to visit Badlands National Park. This ancient native hunting ground is home to a unique landscape of pinnacles, buttes and the largest undisturbed grass prairie in the United States.

Wednesday

May 21

Day one of the conference features the WIR Board of Directors meeting, followed by mobile tours visiting unique sites in Pennington County.

Thursday

May 22

Day two kicks off with a general session and all-attendee luncheon. Workshops will focus on natural resource management, public lands policy and regulations. The evening will conclude with a conference-wide reception at the Crazy Horse Memorial.

Friday

May 23

The last day of the conference opens with WIR’s annual business meeting, where members will vote on WIR leadership and consider proposed bylaws changes. The Intergovernmental Forum on Public Lands will also convene. The day will end with a NACo Board of Directors Orientation.

Travel & Housing

All conference activities (except for off-site evening receptions and mobile tours) take place at The Monument Convention Center. Discounted housing rates have been established at the conference hotels. Details on booking a hotel can be found in your registration confirmation email.

The Monument Convention Center

444 N Mt Rushmore Rd
Rapid City, SD 57701

Hotels

Hotel Name	Rate
Doubletree by Hilton	$139
Elevation Inn & Suites	$139
The Rushmore Hotel & Suites	$199
Courtyard by Marriott	$162
Hotel Alex Johnson	$239

Negotiated hotel rates will be available until April 28, 2025, or until the negotiated blocks at each hotel sell out.

Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP)

Located about 15 minutes from downtown Rapid City, Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) has daily direct flights from Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver and Dallas. Rideshares are available at the airport as well as taxis and on-location rental cars.

About Pennington County, S.D.

Pennington County is rich in both natural beauty and historical significance. From Black Elk Peak, the highest point in North America east of the Rockies, to the cultural importance of Mt. Rushmore, it's clear that this area is steeped in both Native American and American history. The story of the region's development, from Custer's expedition to the establishment of Ellsworth Air Force Base, illustrates a blend of exploration, conflict and innovation.

Health & Safety

NACo is offering in‐person attendance at its 2025 WIR Conference pursuant to local government orders and public health guidance on such gatherings. NACo is committed to hosting a safe event for all participants and to this end requires all members, guests, staff and supplier personnel to comply with safety precautions specified by local and state officials.

Learn More: 2025 WIR Conference Waiver of Liability and Code of Conduct.

Learn More

NACo's Western Interstate Region

The Western Interstate Region (WIR) advocates for public policy issues affecting counties in the West.

Learn More About WIR