Conference News
Check back here regularly to see daily highlights, news and select session write-ups!
Press / media contact: Lisa Inkley, Marketing Director, APCO International
Show Daily
For those attending APCO 2025, the Show Daily (a special edition of PSC eNews) will give you a review of what’s happening each day as well as provide important updates and reminders. Make sure to check your inbox each morning of the conference to stay in the know!
Meeting Highlights
APCO 2025: Opening General Session
APCO 2025 attendees packed the massive Baltimore Convention Center ballroom on Monday morning for the Opening General Session where the governor of Maryland, the APCO CEO & executive director, and the APCO president welcomed the assembled membership. They were followed by Emergency Communications Center Award winners and a keynote speaker who said we can all make a positive difference in the lives of those around us and told stories about those who did. Continue
APCO 2025: 2nd General Business Meeting
The Second General Business Session of APCO 2025 on Tuesday unveiled the executive committee lineup, showcased the state of the association, and highlighted federal government partners who discussed how they can promote progress in public safety communications. Continue
APCO 2025 Food for Thought Luncheon
On the final day of APCO 2025, the Food for Thought Luncheon in the Baltimore Convention Center hosted more than 1,000 public safety communications professionals. Attendees on Wednesday, July 30, recognized agencies that earned APCO accreditation; heard about Baltimore’s advances in public safety communications and about APCO 2026’s San Antonio destination; and were inspired by the founder of Because I Said I Would, a mental health resiliency charity based on keeping promises. Continue
APCO 2025: First General Business Session
APCO President Stephen P. Martini introduced the Executive Committee, composed of First Vice President Jack Varnado, Second Vice President Michael O’Connor and Immediate Past President Becky Neugent. He inducted James J. McFarland of the Pennsylvania Chapter as an APCO life member, and he introduced Jennifer Reese of the Oregon Chapter as the only candidate for 2025-2026 second vice president.
Following Martini, Nicole McGinnis, APCO chief counsel and director of the Government Relations Office, introduced herself while delivering an update on legislative and regulatory initiatives. Continue
APCO 2025: Distinguished Achievers Breakfast
The APCO 2025 Distinguished Achievers Breakfast on Tuesday in the Baltimore Convention Center celebrated professional excellence. Following recognition of Certified Public-Safety Executive (CPE) graduates and earners of agency accreditation, a keynote speaker described how APCO members could achieve excellence beyond what they ever thought possible. Continue
Connect & Celebrate Dinner
The last act of APCO 2025 came with the Connect and Celebrate Dinner in the Baltimore Convention Center on Wednesday, July 30. It featured the swearing in of the 2025-2026 Executive Committee, a summing up by the outgoing president, Stephen P. Martini, and the vision of the incoming one, Jack Varnado. Continue
APCO 2025 In the News
Source: Maryland.gov
Governor Moore Addresses Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International Conference
Governor Wes Moore today delivered remarks at the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International Conference, also known as APCO, in Baltimore. The governor highlighted the crucial role of public safety communications officials in Maryland's response to disasters like the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, and in the state’s all-of-the-above approach to achieve historic reductions in violent crime. Read the story
Source: WMAR Baltimore
Baltimore Tests Geo-fenced 9-1-1 System During Conference to Manage Emergency Calls
Baltimore City emergency dispatchers are testing a new geo-fenced response system to handle 911 calls during a major conference, demonstrating innovative public safety technology while managing increased call volumes. Read the story
Source: Office of Unified Communications
Office of Unified Communications Receives Industry Technology Award and Program Accreditation at APCO
OUC Director Heather McGaffin accepted on behalf of the agency APCO’s Technology Leadership Award, which recognizes emergency communications centers for their use of technological advancements and the benefit demonstrated to their employees and the citizens they serve. The week included additional recognitions and a demonstration of real-time 9‑1‑1 call taking from the field via the District’s mobile command center, Tactical Homeland Operations Response (T.H.O.R.)
Sessions
Articles
- APCO 2025 Heads to Baltimore
- Mid-Eastern Chapter Hosts Conference, Puts Members First
- Connect with APCO's Government Relations Team at APCO 2025
Session Recaps
Sunday
- Capitol Insights: From the Desk of Government Affairs
- Next Generation of Dispatchers - High School Program
- Hook, Line and Sinker: Phishing in ECCs
- Drone Technologies Transforming Disaster Response
- Making a Real Connection: Critical Elements in Training
- Assess Your Center’s People Orientation: A Path to Success
- The Double-Edged Sword of AI in Emergency Communications
Monday
- TikTok… The Time to Start Your Community Engagement is Now!
- What is NG9-1-1: Fact or Fiction
- FCC Update on Public Safety Proceedings
- Lifesaving Connections Through 9-1-1 Education
- AI – Let’s Talk a Bot it!
- Hostage or Hoax? An Audio Case Study
- Are You Ready? Preparing for a Promotion
Tuesday
Wednesday
- When Disaster Strikes: How the FCC and TERT Step In
- Beyond the Call: Recognizing Human Trafficking
- Managing a Multigenerational Workforce
- Hurricane Helene – NJTI / Lessons Learned / Incident Review
- Psychology 101: How Crisis Communication Becomes Life-Saving Art
- 2024 Hurricane Helene: Validating North Carolina NG-9-1-1
- Three New Attendees Look at APCO 2025