The Kentucky Association of Counties, Inc. (KACo) requests proposals from which to select a site for the three (3) day 2029 KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE & EXPOSITION. The KACo Conference is the largest statewide conference for counties and political subdivisions. Attendees typically include county and district elected and non-elected officials along with state and federal dignitaries including the Governor, Speaker of the House and the Senate President. Additional information regarding this Request for Proposals may be obtained by contacting KACo Executive Assistant to CEO/Director of Administrative Services Sonya Chesser at 800.264.5226 or sonya.chesser@kaco.org.

Proposals must be received by Ms. Chesser at sonya.chesser@kaco.org no later than 4 p.m. on December 8, 2025.  KACo anticipates that the award, if any, to the successful respondent(s) will be made on or before December 31, 2025, and all responses shall be valid through that date.  

Submittals shall be based upon the following:

• Preferred conference dates are during the months of October and November
  • A Wednesday start date is preferred.
• Minimum of 50,000 sq. feet of conference space. This includes space for 125 Exhibit Booths with seating for reception, lunch and continental breakfast; a meeting room for 600 theatre and classroom seating, ballroom banquet seating for 550 with one stage; brunch for seating 550; 12 breakout rooms; and registration with storage area.
• Minimum of 580 rooms on peak night
  • Rooms to be available starting the night preceding the Conference start date

Banquet Facilities

• 4 Meals
• 2 Receptions

Required Concessions:

• Free parking for all attendees
• One comp per 45 revenue generating rooms
• Rebate
• Discount Menu Pricing
• Complimentary WiFi in guest rooms and all meeting rooms

Special Considerations:

• Discount 40 staff rooms.
• Up to 75 complimentary parking passes for daily parking
• One complimentary podium and mic for all 3 days for General Session
• Complimentary hi-boys
• Complimentary easels
• Complimentary hard-wired internet at registration desk and comms. Room
• Discount on menu pricing
• Complimentary 20 gallons of coffee on day 2 of conference
• Two complimentary 2-bedroom suites for 3 nights
• Three complimentary valet parking passes
• Prefer no more than 2 hotels. If bid includes hotel and event facility, they must be adjacent. 

Experience, cost and amenities will be factors in determining bid award.

KACo reserves the right to:

• Utilize additional factors contained within any bid proposal;
• Waive irregularities in any proposal;
• Reject any or all proposals; and
• Negotiate with any party regarding their submission.