MAS 2026 Mid-Winter Legislative Conference

MAS 2026 Mid-Winter Legislative Conference
It's not too late to register! Check out the updated tentative agenda to view the most up-to-date details for the conference!

Conference Updates

Watch this section for the latest notices about registration, hotel blocks, agenda updates, and more.

Final Agenda

Jan 28, 2026

The 2026 Midwinter Legislative Conference Digital Agenda is now live! View the full schedule in our interactive flipbook!
View Final Agenda  
MAS Hotel Blocks

Dec 10, 2025

Planning your stay? Hotel blocks for the 2026 Midwinter Legislative Conference are now available, with special conference rates at select hotels.
Download MAS Room Blocks 
Vendor Registration Guide

Dec 10, 2025

Be part of the 2026 Midwinter Legislative Conference. Learn how to register with our vendor registration guide.
Vendor Registration Guide  
Show All Updates
Registration & Hotel Blocks Opening

Dec 2, 2025

Details on the new member portal process and how to access hotel block information once your registration is complete.
Download Opening Notice (PDF) 
New Member Portal Login Guide

Dec 2, 2025

Step-by-step instructions for first-time users logging into the MAS Member Portal and updating their profile information.
Download Portal Guide (PDF) 
Tentative Agenda Released

Jan 19, 2026

At-a-glance schedule for education classes, Meet & Greet hours, and the Legislative Appreciation Reception.
Download Tentative Agenda (PDF) 

Premier Sponsors

Thank you to our Premier Sponsors — steady partners in county progress.

Legislative Appreciation Reception Cosponsor

Premier "Meet & Greet" Exhibitor

Lunch Sponsor

Registration Desk Sponsor

Premier "Meet & Greet" Exhibit Table Sponsor

Breakfast Sponsor

Coffee Station Sponsor

Legislative Appreciation Reception Cosponsor

Legislative Appreciation Reception Cosponsor

Premier "Meet & Greet" Exhibit Table Sponsor

Legislative Appreciation Reception Cosponsor

Wi-Fi Sponsor

Lanyard Sponsor

Door Prize Ticket Sponsor

Registration Desk Sponsor

Meet & Greet Exhibitors

Registration

All online registrations are handled through the MAS Member Portal (Engagifii) at mas.engagifii.com. Registration must be completed before MAS can send hotel room block information.

County Registration

County officials may register online through the MAS Member Portal or by completing the fillable online web form (Adobe) linked below.

Tip: Make sure to include an email address where you would like to receive your hotel block details after registering.

Register through MAS Portal Recommended 
OR
Fillable County Registration Form (Adobe Web Form)  

Vendor Registration

Vendors, exhibitors & sponsors may register online through the MAS Member Portal or by completing the Vendor Registration Form – fillable online web form (Adobe).

Note: Meet & Greet tables and sponsorships are confirmed only after payment is received by MAS.

Register through the New MAS Member Portal
Or
Fillable Vendor Registration Form (Adobe Web Form)  

Payment: MAS will email you an invoice for all registrations. Payment may be made by credit card using the invoice link or by mailing a check to MAS.

Tentative Agenda

Subject to change as speakers & sessions are confirmed.

▼
Wednesday, February 4
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Registration
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Connect with "Meet and Greet" Exhibitors
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Afternoon Refreshments
2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
INSTITUTE EDUCATION CLASSES
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Debt Admin: Financing Tools for Counties & What You Need to Know
Warren Greenlee, MAS Board Counsel
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Connecting Veterans to Services: What Counties Need to Know
Mark Lawson, MS Veterans Board Executive Dir.
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Current Measures Moving Through the Legislative Process
Steve Gray, MAS Deputy Executive Director & Director of Gov't Affairs
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Legislative Appreciation Reception
▼
Thursday, February 5
7:00 AM – 8:15 AM
Breakfast
7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Registration
7:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Connect with "Meet and Greet" Exhibitors
8:15 AM – 12:00 PM
INSTITUTE EDUCATION CLASSES
8:15 AM – 8:30 AM
Welcome and Opening General Assembly
Troy Ross, MAS President
Derrick Surrette, MAS Executive Dir.
8:30 AM – 9:15 AM
The $25 Question – City Inmates in County Jails: Who Pays, When, & at What Cost
Will Allen, Butler Snow LLP Attorney
9:15 AM – 9:45 AM
County Affairs Briefing: 2026 Priorities & What's Moving
Larry Byrd, MS House County Affairs Chair
Derrick Simmons, MS Senate County Affairs Chair
9:45 AM – 10:15 AM
Audit Insights for Counties
Jeff Goodwin, Office of State Auditor (OSA), Financial & Compliance Audit Dir.
Tom Chain, Office of State Auditor (OSA), Technical Assistance Dir.
10:15 AM – 10:30 AM
Morning Refreshments
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM
Modernizing County Purchasing: Cutting Costs Through Collaboration
Warren Greenlee, MAS Board Counsel
Derrick Surrette, MAS Executive Dir.
Steve Gray, MAS Deputy Executive Dir. & Dir. of Gov't Affairs
11:15 AM – 11:45 AM
Office of State Aid Road Construction Roadmap: What's Ahead for Counties in 2026
Harry Lee James, OSARC State Aid Engineer
11:45 AM – 12:00 PM
Making the Most out of Your State Capitol Visit
Steve Gray, MAS Deputy Executive Director & Director of Gov't Affairs
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Networking Lunch
1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
State Capitol Visit on Your Own
▼
Friday, February 6
7:00 AM – 8:15 AM
Breakfast
7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Registration
7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Connect with "Meet and Greet" Exhibitors
8:15 AM – 11:15 AM
INSTITUTE EDUCATION CLASSES
8:15 AM – 8:30 AM
Welcome and Opening General Assembly
Troy Ross, MAS President
Derrick Surrette, MAS Executive Director
8:30 AM – 9:15 AM
PERS Reform & County Operations: What's Changing and When
Speaker, TBD
9:15 AM – 10:00 AM
DFA Special Projects & Reporting: What Counties Need to Know
Liz Welch, MS Dept of Finance Executive Dir.
Gilda Reyes, MS Dept of Finance Deputy Dir.
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Morning Refreshments
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM
State Leadership Briefing
Tate Reeves, Governor - Invited
Delbert Hosemann, Lt. Governor - Invited
Jason White, Speaker of the House - Invited
Manly Barton, Speaker Pro Tempore - Invited
11:00 AM
"Meet and Greet" Exhibitors Breakdown
11:15 AM
Adjourn
Download Tentative Agenda 

PowerPoint Presentations

Education session presentations will be available for download after the conference. Check back here to access slides and materials from each session.

Debt Admin: Financing Tools for Counties & What You Need to Know

Wednesday, Feb 4 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Warren Greenlee, MAS Board Counsel
 
Download Presentation 

Connecting Veterans to Services: What Counties Need to Know

Wednesday, Feb 4 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Mark Lawson, MS Veterans Board Executive Dir.
 
Download Presentation 

Current Measures Moving Through the Legislative Process

Wednesday, Feb 4 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Steve Gray, MAS Deputy Executive Director & Director of Gov't Affairs
 
Download Presentation 

The $25 Question – City Inmates in County Jails: Who Pays, When, & at What Cost

Thursday, Feb 5 8:30 AM – 9:15 AM
Will Allen, Butler Snow LLP Attorney
 

Audit Insights for Counties

Thursday, Feb 5 9:45 AM – 10:15 AM
Jeff Goodwin & Tom Chain, Office of State Auditor (OSA)
 

Office of State Aid Road Construction Roadmap: What's Ahead for Counties in 2026

Thursday, Feb 5 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM
Harry Lee James, OSARC State Aid Engineer
 
Download Presentation 

PERS Reform & County Operations: What's Changing and When

Friday, Feb 6 8:30 AM – 9:15 AM
Speaker, TBD
 

DFA Special Projects & Reporting: What Counties Need to Know

Friday, Feb 6 9:15 AM – 10:00 AM
Liz Welch & Gilda Reyes, MS Dept of Finance
 

Venue Information

The Sheraton Refuge Hotel & Conference Center in Flowood, Mississippi, is conveniently located near major highways, restaurants, and shopping. The setting provides an ideal hub for legislative meetings, education sessions, and networking with county officials, affiliate partners, and sponsors.

Address: 2200 Refuge Blvd, Flowood, MS 39232

Open in Google Maps  

Forms & Helpful Links

For questions about registration, invoices, or hotel blocks, email mwconference@massup.org or call 601-353-2741.

FAQs

Here are a few quick answers from the 2026 Mid-Winter Legislative Conference FAQs. Counties can always contact MAS if a question isn't covered here.

What's the quickest way to get my hotel booking details?

Register through the MAS Member Portal. Your confirmation email will include hotel booking details and your group code as soon as your registration is processed.

How do I make my hotel reservation after I register?

Use the booking link in your confirmation email, or call the hotel directly and provide your MAS group code to book inside the conference block.

What do I need to book a room at the MAS block rate?

You will need the MAS group code. This code is included in the confirmation email MAS sends after your registration is entered and processed.

What if I have trouble logging in or can't find my profile?

Email the MAS office for portal assistance. Staff can help locate your profile, update your information, or send a new invite link so you can create your login.

When do registration and hotel blocks open?

Registration and hotel blocks open at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 10. Hotel information will not be released before this time.

Who do I contact for additional questions?

For registration and conference questions, email mwconference@massup.org or call 601-353-2741. You may also text 601-463-6969 for quick assistance.