Date:	August 16-18, 2021
Time:	Day 1: Aug 16, 2021 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm Day 2: Aug 17, 2021 8:00 am - 9:00 pm Day 3: Aug 18, 2021 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location:	Cragun's Resort, 11000 Craguns Drive, Brainerd, MN 56401 Get Directions
This event is now closed for online registration

MMUA's Summer Conference is an opportunity for networking, educational programs and social time for municipal utility leaders from around the state. This year's event will be held at Cragun's Resort in Brainerd, Minnesota.

For best rates, register by July 16. If you prefer, you can use this printable registration form.

Tentative Schedule

Sunday, August 15

5 pm  Resort Check-in
​7 pm  MMUA Board of Directors Meeting  (Audubon Room)

Monday, August 16

8 am  MMUA Board of Directors Meeting (continued)
noon - 6 pm  Conference Registration Open (Lobby)
noon  Check-in for Golf Tournament (Legacy Golf Course)
12:15 pm  Check-in for Bike Ride (MMUA Registration)
1 pm  Golf "Best Ball Scramble" Tournament (Legacy Golf Course)
1 pm  Paul Bunyan Bike Trail Ride (meet at Trailblazer Bikes in Nisswa)
5 pm  Resort Check-in
6:30 pm  Welcome Reception (North Beach)
7:30 pm  Dinner (North Beach)

Tuesday, August 17

8 am  Welcome and Opening Remarks, Mark Nibaur, Austin Utilities / MMUA President

8:15 am  Finding Your Beat, the Rhythm of Life, Tim Eggebraaten, Off Duty Chief
Tim knows the importance of paying attention to the rhythm of life. Having worked in the Criminal Justice field for 28 years, he is an expert at Working the Beat; and has learned through experience, the value of discovering the harmony in it all.

We all face challenges which create our own beat in life when balancing family, careers, and struggling to find time for ourselves and our physical, mental and spiritual health. Prepare to be energized, inspired and entertained as “The Off-Duty Chief” shares strategies and tactics for finding YOUR RHYTHM!

10 am  Looking Ahead – A National Perspective, Alex Hofmann, American Public Power Association
Hear a national perspective on the future of the grid, including how our mix of generation is likely to change, the impacts that could have, a brief discussion of what fuel types and sources will be required to meet the Biden Climate Goals, and  the role that additional generation like RICE or other energy resources will likely play.

11 am  A Transmission Vision for the Upper Midwest, Mark Mitchell, Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency

12 pm  Luncheon

1 pm  The Washington Scene, Michael Nolan, MMUA Washington Rep.

2 pm  DER & Technical Spec Manual, Bob Jagusch & Bill Black, MMUA
Through work groups and technical subgroups, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission continues its efforts to revise and expand procedures governing the interconnection of customer generation with utility distribution systems. MMUA continues to represent municipal utilities in those work groups, translate the direct and indirect impacts on MMUA’s members and assist them with implementing measures they need to be in compliance with state laws. 

In 2021, municipal and cooperative utilities will adopt utility-specific Technical Specification Manuals (TSMs) based on a work group developed template. Bob will walk through the template and explain the details. In addition, 2021 revisions to the statewide interconnection process model bear discussion. Bill will explain the changes and advise on what municipals, in particular, need to know.

3:30 pm  Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), Jim de Lambert, Carlson McCain and Nicole Blasing, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

5 pm  Trade Show and Reception (The Sports Centre)

7 pm  Banquet and Awards (Dining Room)

Wednesday, August 18

(Meeting for Regular & Affiliate Members Only)
8 am  MMUA Business Meeting

8:30 am  Reflections on 28 Years at the Helm, Jack Kegel, MMUA

9:00 am  Minnesota's Clean Water Fund and Municipalities, Paul Gardner, CWC Administrator
Come meet the "new" (thanks COVID-19) director of the Clean Water Council and learn about CWC programs, possible funding opportunities, and collaborative efforts.

10:00 am  Updates from the Department of Commerce:

• Energy Assistance Program, Jon Brown, Office of Energy Assistance
• The Energy Conservation & Optimization (ECO) Act of 2021—What it Means for CIP, Jessica Burdette, Division of Energy Resources

11 am  State Legislative Developments, Kent Sulem, MMUA

11:30 am  Issues Round-Up, Jack Kegel, Bob Jagusch and Mike Willetts, MMUA

noon  Conference Adjourns

Registration Fee

Members:  $315 per person
Registration fee will increase $50 on July 17, 2021.
Deadline:  July 30, 2021

Lodging & Meals

UPDATE: Cragun's lodging is SOLD OUT. 

• A block of rooms is being held at the Holiday Inn Express in Baxter. Call 218.824.3232 to reserve a room. Let them know you are with MMUA's Summer Conference for the group rate. 
• You will need to order meals through Cragun's to eat with the group. Use this same reservation link to order meals.
• Cragun's also has an option on the reservation page to be placed on a waiting list for a room should openings become available. 

Cragun's Resort has a special package for lodging and meals for those attending MMUA's Summer Conference. Please use the online reservation system to make reservations in our room block. Reservation cutoff is July 15.

Meals are included with lodging. If you are not staying at Cragun's or have a guest and/or child accompanying you, you will need to pre-order meal tickets. Please use the same reservation link to order meals. Tickets are to be ordered directly through Cragun's and picked up at their front desk upon arrival.

Golf Tournament

MMUA's golf tournament will be played on Cragun's Legacy Golf Course. The shotgun start will be at 1 pm, with check-in at the golf course beginning at noon.

You 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 — $70 per person (You must register for the full conference. 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 bitly.com/MMUA-golf-2021 or use a printable registration form. When registering online, you will be directed to a site through Constant Contact (our website does not accommodate tournament registrations). MMUA will send an invoice for the fee or you can provide contact information to pay by credit card.

Deadline:  July 30 or until course is filled (whichever comes first)

Bike Ride

Join us for MMUA's annual bike ride on the black-topped Paul Bunyan Trail. The ride will start and end at Trailblazer Bikes, located in Nisswa next to the trail. The ride will be out and back so you can turn around at your desired distance. It will be an afternoon of fun and beautiful Minnesota scenery.

You can register online at bitly.com/MMUA-bike-2021 or use a printable registration form. We will also take registrations the day of the ride if you prefer to wait and see what the weather will do. When registering online, you will be directed to a site through Constant Contact. There is no charge for the bike ride, but you are responsible for the bike rental if needed.

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.

Events for Associate Members

Trade Show

MMUA Associate members can have an exhibit space at the conference trade show. This show will be held on August 17, from 5-7 pm. Reserve your spot by using our online registration. Space is limited so don't delay. This one fills up fast! For best rates, register by July 16.

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. See our list of sponsor items on our website. Have an idea that's not listed? Let us know! We are always looking for something new.

Hospitality Suites

Hospitality suites are a very popular event that MMUA Associate members can host. Call Mavis Zachary at Cragun's to arrange. Her number is 218-825-2852. Cragun's does not allow food or beverages from outside the resort.

Annual Sponsors

Companies who are annual sponsors are eligible for:

• One trade show table with electricity (if needed) and two attendees at either the Summer Conference or the Technical & Operations Conference
• Two meeting registrations at either the Summer Conference or the Technical & Operations Conference

When registering on-line, select the Bill Utility or Company in payment options and we will adjust the fee for you. Credit card payments will be refunded with $20 processing fee. Not sure if you're an annual sponsor? Check our website for listings.

Refund Policy

MMUA will issue a refund, minus $30 per person processing fee, for registrations cancelled by July 30, 2021. MMUA must be notified by 4:30 pm on July 30 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 with this information can be downloaded here.