2026 Summer Conference

This event is intended for municipal utility leaders, city leaders, commissioners, council members, mayors, affiliate members, and associate members.

Monday, August 17      8:00 am to 11:30 am

Select from two topics. Separate registration is required.

OPTION 1:
Succession Planning
Karleen Kos, CEO, MMUA; Shelly Dau, Director of Organizational Development and HR, MMUA; Brian Schoenborn, Partner, Spencer Fane 
Leadership transitions can shape a utility for years—yet many organizations postpone succession planning until a retirement or emergency forces action. This interactive workshop is designed for municipal utility leaders, commissioners, council members, and emerging leaders who want to prepare thoughtfully for the future. Participants will explore practical strategies for developing organizational resilience, preserving culture while enabling change, addressing governance and legal considerations, and supporting both outgoing and incoming leaders through transition. Special attention will be given to the realities facing smaller utilities with limited staffing depth. Through discussion and hands-on exercises, attendees will leave with actionable ideas and planning tools. 

OPTION 2:
Minnesota Municipal Interconnection Process (M-MIP) 2026 
Kristi Robinson, STAR Energy
Overseeing the interconnection of customer solar systems has become a permanent function of every electric utility. Someone in the office or at the shop must be familiar with the Minnesota Municipal Interconnection Process in order to handle inquiries coming from the solar curious to the knowledgeable solar developer. And the better they understand how to work through the process, the better positioned your utility will be to protect your system and provide excellent customer service.  

Monday, August 17

8:00 am  Pre-conference workshops (see details above; separate registration is required)
11:30 am  Golf tournament check-in and lunch (included with tournament registration)
1:00 pm  Golf tournament (shot-gun start; separate registration required)
1:00 pm  Trail hike
6:30 pm  Welcome reception on the River Plaza at River's Edge Convention Center

Tuesday, August 18

7:15 am  Continental breakfast served (for registered attendees only)

8:00 am  Welcome, Pete Moulton, MMUA President and Karleen Kos, MMUA CEO

8:15 am  Opening Keynote
No Fail Trust: The flight plan to cultivating a high-performance team, Jason Harris
This transformative keynote empowers leaders and teams to deliver consistently excellent results through a culture of No Fail Trust®. Jason shares tactics, techniques, and practical tools for navigating the inevitable turbulence of life and cultivating high-flying levels of empowerment, commitment, and accountability across your organization.

9:45 am
Option 1: Roundtable discussions (select two from the list)

• Networking: GMs and other utility leaders
• Networking: HR staff leaders
• Networking: Commission/council leaders
• Billing, collection, and disconnection policies and best practices
• What does the nuclear energy study mean and what are the next steps towards lifting the moratorium?
• Communicating the value of public power
• Small local power projects: Raising the bar
• AI policies for utilities
• Emergency action planning for utilities
• RP3 and you
• From Concept to Reality: How Municipal Utilities Are Using BESS Today
• Successful capital project planning

Option 2: Focused networking sessions (select one from a list of topics to be announced)

• General managers and other utility leaders
• HR staff leaders
• Commissioners/council members

11:00 am  Federal and state legislative update, MMUA Government Relations Team

12:00 pm  Awards luncheon

1:15 pm Getting it right with AI, Tyler Moberg, Founder, Amplified Impact LLC

2:30 pm  Sub-plenary content sessions (select A or B)
Session A: An overview of federal activities impacting the natural gas industry, Dave Schryver, American Public Gas Association 

Session B: Small design insights, big operational impact: Strengthening municipal utility facilities for safety, readiness, and reliability, Jill Winkler, Energy Market Manager, TKDA 

3:40 pm  Sub-plenary content sessions (select C or D)
Session C: Financial benchmarks for municipal utilities, Bethany Ryers, Principal--Energy and Utilities, Baker Tilly

Session D: Promises and pitfalls of Minnesota's Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) implementation, panel discussion

5:00 pm  Trade Show and Reception

Wednesday, August 19

7:15 am  Continental breakfast served (for registered attendees only)

8:00 am  Business meeting and MMUA update

9:00 am  Learning tracks (select one)

1. Electric: APPA's R&D program and smart energy provider designation, Paul Zummo, APPA 
2. Water and Wastewater: How Princeton Public Utilities has navigated PFAS levels in its wells, Meghan Brockman, Bolton & Menk and Keith Butcher, Princeton Public Utilities
3. Human Resources/Administration: Compensation issues: Pay equity, new overtime pay rules, and more, Randi Winter, Spencer Fane
   
4. Leadership: Culture starts with you: How leaders shape workplace culture from the inside out, Andrea Bolin, Leadership in Motion 
5. Governance: Answers to common legal questions posed by utility leaders, Kaela Brennan, Spencer Fane 

10:00 am  Learning tracks (select one)

1. Electric: Microgrid integration of BESS, PV, and generators for commercial and industrial applications, Daniel Voss, HDR 
2. Water and Wastewater: Current issues in chlorine and water treatment chemical management, to be announced
   
3. Human Resources/Administration: Keeping your benefits package current and affordable, Evon Spangler, Spanger and de Stefano; Jessica Hamilton, JHR Strategy; Jason Beaton, Mutual of Omaha; Genevieve Frazier, Maguire Agency; moderated by Shelly Dau, MMUA 
4. Leadership: What you can learn from the leadership of Roger Warehime, to be announced
5. Governance: Working together: Optimizing roles and responsibilities of commissioners and council members, Kaela Brennan, Spencer Fane

11:00 am  Closing Keynote
Creating a culture of impact and loyalty, Joe Schmit, 19-time Emmy Award–winning broadcaster, leadership speaker, and Minnesota Speakers Hall of Fame inductee 
In this dynamic, high-energy keynote, Joe blends humor, storytelling, and real-world insights to help individuals and organizations unlock the true power of their influence. Make one more positive, intentional impact every single day. This approach doesn’t just improve performance—it enhances happiness, strengthens relationships, boosts engagement, and creates a culture people are proud to be part of. “We make our biggest impressions when we’re not trying to be impressive.” 

12:00 pm  Conference Concludes

Note: If your spouse or guest would like to attend the social events held during the Summer Conference, advanced ticket purchase is required. Select from the welcome reception, awards luncheon, or the trade show. Purchase all three for a discounted rate over individual tickets.

Advance registration is required. Click here for more details and to register for the golf tournament. 

The trail hike has been a popular option so we're doing it again. Join Mike Willetts for an invigorating walk at Quarry Park and Nature Preserve. Meet Mike in the parking lot and plan for a prompt 1:00 pm departure. Don't miss out on this chance to explore the trails with great company! Please be aware, there is a $5 fee for parking. Location: 1802 County Road 137, Waite Park, MN 56387

Join us for the highly anticipated trade show on Tuesday, August 18, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Vendor setup begins at 2:00 pm. Don't wait–this event fills up fast!

MMUA offers several exciting sponsorship opportunities to help you connect with our regular members and support municipal utilities. Choose to sponsor a speaker, a refreshment break, the welcome or trade show receptions, an ad in the program, or one of the many events at the golf tournament. Boost your visibility while contributing to a great cause!

Gold and silver annual sponsors, please contact our Sales Team to select items you wish to use for your sponsor credits.

Cancellations are subject to a $50 cancellation fee per person if received by 5:00 pm on July 31, 2026. Refunds issued to a credit card will be subject to a 3% fee. No refunds issued after July 31.

I understand that photos and recordings may be captured during this event. By registering, I consent to MMUA's reuse of any image or recording from this event for use in printed or digital marketing materials or posting to the MMUA website. By registering, I also acknowledge and agree that third parties (such as MMUA members, attendees, or media representatives) may take photos or recordings and that MMUA is not responsible for actions taken by third parties.