Letter from the Planning Committee Chair

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Conference Planning Committee, it is our honor to welcome you to the American Jail Association’s (AJA) 45th Annual Conference & Jail Expo.

Over the past year, the Conference Planning Committee and AJA Headquarters staff have dedicated countless hours to planning more than 50 hours of top-tier training delivered by the industry's experts from all over the country. This year, we will be covering a broad range of topics about those issues that matter most to you now, regardless of your region of the country or the size of your jail. These sessions cover a wide range of topics, including Legal Issues & Risk Liability, Medical & Mental Health, Jail Operations, Staff Wellness, and Agency Culture.

For those of you who are joining us at the AJA Conference for the first time, we offer a special orientation and networking opportunity on Sunday morning. This session provides an overview of all the extraordinary events and opportunities available, ensuring you will have the tools necessary to give you the best possible conference experience.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Sheriff Denita Ball and her dedicated team at the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department for their support and commitment to AJA as this year's host agency. This partnership has been invaluable in bringing this event to life, and we are confident you will feel welcome here in Milwaukee during your stay. There will be facility tours of the Milwaukee County Detention Center, so don't miss the chance to sign up and take advantage of this unique opportunity to explore another facility and learn firsthand.

Be sure to catch our Jail Expo, featuring over 180 exhibiting partners. This is a tremendous opportunity to discover, evaluate, and experience emergency technologies and innovative products geared toward making the work you do safer and more secure. In addition to meeting our vendors, attendees will have the opportunity to win prizes!

The American Jail Association is your national voice for local detention. Your support and engagement better equip AJA to advocate for you, the men and women on the front lines working in our nation's jails. Again, on behalf of your Board and the staff at AJA—welcome to the conference, and welcome to Milwaukee. We can't wait to see you.

Sincerely,

Diana Knapp, MS, CJM, CCE, CCHP

Conference Planning Committee Chair