Summer Conference
Summer Conference
| Date: | August 21-23, 2017 |
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| Time: |
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| Location: | Madden's Resort, 11266 Pine Beach Peninsula, Brainerd, MN 56401 Get Directions |
This event is now closed for online registration | |
MMUA's Summer Conference is an opportunity for networking, educational and social time for municipal utility leaders from around the state.
NEW THIS YEAR—GOVERNING BOARD EDUCATION!
We are often asked for training for governing board members so this year we are presenting two tracks—one for Management and one for Policymakers. Governing board members are encouraged to attend "Taking Care of Business: Effective Governance for Public Sector Utilities." This two-part session will be held at the Summer Conference when many policymakers are able to attend. See schedule below for a full description of this special training opportunity for your governing board members
When registering for the Summer Conference, you will be asked to choose either the Management Track or the Policymaker Track. Please be prepared to choose when registering. For best rates, register before August 4.
Schedule
Sunday, August 20
4:30 pm Resort Check-in
7-9 pm MMUA Board of Directors Meeting
Monday, August 21
8 am-noon MMUA Board of Directors Meeting (continued)
noon-6 pm Conference Registration Open (Town Hall)
noon Check-in for Golf Tournament (The Classic at Madden's)
12:30 pm Check-in for Bike Ride (Town Hall)
1 pm Golf "Best Ball Scramble" Tournament (The Classic at Madden's)
1 pm Paul Bunyan Bike Trail Ride (meet in Nisswa at bike trail)
4:30 pm Resort Check-in
6:30 pm Welcome Reception
7:30 pm Dinner
Tuesday, August 22
8 am Welcome and Opening Remarks, Bob Elston, City of Sleepy Eye/MMUA President
8:15 am Moving Public Power Forward, Sue Kelly, American Public Power Association
Public power utilities and their retail customers are facing a dizzying array of new technologies and increasing choices. How do we work together with our customer to figure this out?
9:15 am Leadership Lesson from Uncommon Places, Kent Myers, Vision Companies
Over the ages, the term Leadership has taken on many different meanings and complexions. We will clarify and demystify the fog surrounding this term and focus on the power that one person can make in changing peoples lives. We will leave the textbooks behind and examine examples of great leadership from unlikely places.
10:15 am Refreshment Break
10:45 am Washington, D.C.—The New Reality TV Show, Michael Nolan, MMUA Washington Rep.
11:45 am Luncheon
The afternoon will consist of two tracks—Management or Policymaker
Management Track
1 pm Know Everything About Natural Gas Generation and Infrastructure Readiness? Sure About That?, Theresa Pugh, Theresa Pugh Consulting
Theresa will address the many new permitting issues both for gas-fired generation and the needed gas transmission infrastructure. She will discuss the complexities of natural gas storage with a special focus on Minnesota. This will include new regulations that might affect some existing gas storage infrastructure requiring integrity testing and system upgrades for local utility reliability reasons.
2 pm Introduction to Hometown Connections and Industry Trends, Tim Blodgett, Hometown Connections
3 pm Refreshment Break
3:30 pm How Perimeter Cybersecurity Leaves You Exposed, Scott Mossbrook, N-Dimension Solutions
Most utilities have invested in cybersecurity to keep the bad guys out, but what about threats initiated from within the utility’s IT network? Today’s hackers have found many ways of getting inside from a variety of sources including email, thumb drives, Internet downloads, and mobile devices connecting to the utility network. How do you know when your network has been compromised if you’re only watching at the perimeter?
This session offers an overview of the common ways in which hackers access IT networks and how they gain access to utility data and resources. We will discuss what steps utilities can take to reduce risk from internal threats, including a combination of monitoring, employee training and best practice procedures. We will share experiences from several anonymous utilities that have experienced a cyber attack initiated from an internal source and actions they took to reduce risk.
Policymaker Track
1-4:30 pm Taking Care of Business: Effective Governance for Public Sector Utilities, John Miner, Collaborative Learning
This two-part seminar is intended for policymakers and executive managers who are new to their roles or who have a need to acquire more in-depth understanding of governance principles and practices in public sector utilities. Although the focus of this seminar is on electric utility governance, participants will also be able to apply their learning to the governance of other utility enterprises (water, wastewater, telecommunications, etc.).
Participants will improve their understanding of the legal requirements that typically apply to Boards and they will be exposed to "best practices" in public sector governance. Participants will also engage in individual and small group exercises that call for the application of what they are learning to practical situations that they are likely to encounter as Board members and executive managers.
3 pm Refreshment Break
3:30 pm Taking Care of Business (continued)
2 pm Trade Show setup begins
5 pm Trade Show and Reception
7 pm Banquet and Awards
Wednesday, August 23
(Meeting for Regular & Affiliate Members Only)
8 am MMUA Business Meeting
The rest of the morning will consist of two tracks—Management or Policymaker
Management Track
8:30 am Developing and Utilizing Technology to Enable a Diverse Low-Carbon Energy Portfolio. Mike Holmes, Lignite Energy Council
Mike will cover some of the key technology developments underway and why they are important for the region and it's economy.
9:30 am Refreshment Break
10 am Solar Rules & Standards — Federal, State or Local?, Bill Black, MMUA
As customers and developers seek to connect more solar and other distributed generation resources to utility systems, the laws and rules governing interconnection are important to know even as they're being revised and updated. Learn more about your utility's rights and obligations—and your customers'—under the regulatory framework for municipal utilities in Minnesota.
10:45 am State Legislative Developments, Bill Black and Amanda Duerr, MMUA and Doug Carnival, McGrann Shea
11:30 am Issues Round-Up, Jack Kegel, Bob Jagusch and Mike Willetts, MMUA
Policymaker Track
8:30 am-noon Taking Care of Business, John Miner, Collaborative Learning (continued from previous day)
9:30 am Refreshment Break
noon Conference adjourns
Lodging & Meals
Madden's has a special two-night package for lodging and meals for those attending MMUA's Summer Conference. You can make your reservations online or use their printable form that you can mail or fax in. If you wish to arrive a day early or extend your stay, please call Madden's at 800.642.5363 to arrange.
Meals are included with the special package noted above. If you are not staying at Madden's or have a guest accompanying you, you will need to pre-order meal tickets. To order meal tickets, please use the Meal Ticket Order Form and return it to Rita Kelly. Tickets can be picked up at MMUA's registration desk at Madden's starting on Monday, August 21.
You can find more information about Madden's on their website.
Golf Tournament
MMUA's golf tournament will be played on The Classic at Madden's. The shotgun start will be at 1 pm, with check-in at the golf course beginning at noon.
Everyone must pre-register as an individual or as a scramble team. Walk-ins will not be allowed. Participants do not need to attend the conference to play in the tournament, but you do need to be a member of MMUA.
Tournament Fees
Conference Attendees — $60 per person (You must register for the 3-day event. Attending the Trade Show only does not qualify for discount.)
Golf Tournament Only — $110 per person
To golf with someone specific, please note his/her name on your registration. Please confirm with the group before registering to make sure they are golfing or they have room on their team for you. Individual players without a team designation will be assigned to a team.
You can register online at http://bit.ly/MMUA-golf-2017 or use a printable registration form.
Note: You will be directed to a site through Constant Contact for online golf tournament registrations. Our website does not accommodate tournament registrations at this time. MMUA will send an invoice for the fee due or you can provide contact information to pay by credit card.
Bike Ride
Join us for MMUA's annual bike ride on the black-topped Paul Bunyan Trail. The ride will be out and back so you can turn around at your desired distance. Bikes and helmets will be available for rent or you can bring your own. The ride will start and end at the bike shop that is located in Nisswa next to the trail. It will be an afternoon of fun and beautiful Minnesota scenery.
To rent a bike, call Trailblazer Bikes at 218.963.0699. You will pick up and pay for your bike rental at the bike shop prior to the start of the ride.
You can register online at http://bit.ly/MMUA-bike-2017 or use a printable registration form.
Note: You will be directed to a site through Constant Contact for online registrations. There is no charge for the bike ride.
Events for Associate Members
Trade Show SOLD OUT
Associate members can have an exhibit space at the trade show. The show will be held on August 22, from 5-7 pm. Reserve your spot by clicking HERE. Space is limited so don't delay. This one fills up fast! All tables have been SOLD. Contact Rita to be put on a waiting list should we have cancellations.
Sponsorships
We also have an opportunity for Associate members to sponsor events at the Summer Conference. We will post a sign at the event site with your company's logo and you will have a listing in the official conference program. To become a sponsor, click HERE and scroll down to the list of Summer Conference events. Have an idea that's not listed? Let us know! We are always looking for something new.
Hospitality Suites
Hospitality suites are also a popular event that Associate members can host. Contact Madden's Event Manager, Kari Arenkiel by email or phone 218.855.5970. Madden's does not allow food or beverages from outside the resort.
Lodging
Madden's has made a "lodging only" option available for vendors who do not require meals. You can make your reservations online or use their printable form that you can mail or fax in. If you wish to arrive a day early or extend your stay, please call Madden's at 800.642.5363 to arrange. For a full room package with meals, see the Lodging & Meals section above.
Cancellations/Refunds
MMUA will issue a refund, minus $25 per person processing fee, for registrations cancelled by August 4, 2017. MMUA must be notified by 4:30 pm on August 4 to qualify.
Photographs
By registering for this event I/we authorize Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association (MMUA) to photograph me at this event and use such photographs in MMUA marketing materials (both electronic and print). I/we understand that I/we will not be paid for giving this consent.
Questions?
Contact Rita Kelly by email rkelly@mmua.org or phone 763.746.0707.
A printable brochure is also available.
73% of our municipal
electric utilities have
successfully operated
for 100 years or more.