2021 APGA Operations Conference: Oct 26-28

APGA plans to hold the 2021 APGA Operations Conference as an in-person event this October 26-28 in Memphis, Tennessee! APGA will be following guidance from the state and local health authorities, and we will keep attendees informed of any changes to our event plans.

The in-person 2019 APGA Operations Conference attracted over 250 natural gas distribution industry professionals from more than 70 public gas systems to learn about topics such as integrity management, regulatory compliance, research and development, and new technology along with an exhibitor hall. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 APGA Operations Conference was hosted online and had over 24 hours of content!

The Operations Conference will be preceded by the APGA Fall Board & Committee Meetings held October 24-26 in Memphis, Tenn., for our members serving on APGA's board, committees, and task groups.

Attendee Registration & Pricing

Registration fee includes registration for one person to attend all conference sessions, breaks, continental breakfasts, lunch and receptions.

APGA Member Attendees: $475

Non-APGA Member Attendees: $675

Interested in exhibiting? Visit our exhibitor page to find out more!

Conference Location

The 2021 APGA Fall Board and Committee Meetings and Operations Conference will take place October 24-28 at The Guest House at Graceland Memphis, Tennessee. The APGA Group Rate is $149 plus state & local taxes. Please book your room by October 1 to receive this rate.

Book Your Room

Our hotel and conference space will follow state and local health guidelines regarding mask requirements and social distancing. Effective August 20, 2021, Shelby County is requiring masks for all indoor public settings such as event venues, common areas of hotels, restaurants, and bars. Please be aware that guidance may change as the situation evolves.

Agenda & Session Schedule

APGA is hard at work on the 2021 Operations Conference agenda. You can now view the 2021 Operations Conference preliminary agenda!

The 2021 APGA Operations Conference had speakers and panels of experts on topics such as leak detection, regulatory compliance, integrity management, and new technology. The conference will also include an exhibitor hall of the latest in products and services for natural gas distribution operations. Attendees will get to hear and participate in:

Three concurrent tracks that include 30 sessions for attendees on topics such as pipeline safety regulations, pipeline safety management system (PSMS), and leak detection & repair programs
Environmental and Workforce Development topic tracks are new in 2021
Best Practices from your publicly-owned utility peers
Updates on safety regulations

View 2021 Session Schedule At A Glance (PDF)

View All Past Agendas

Professional Development Hours

The 2021 APGA Operations Conference provides 10.5 professional development hours (PDH) for the entire conference with seven general track sessions and 30 concurrent track sessions options for attendees. PDHs are required by many states to maintain professional engineering licensure.

Schedule At A Glance

Download a PDF of the program with breakout session descriptions.

Tuesday, October 26 - Opening Session

1:00 PM Opening Remarks
Jocelyn McInturff, Knoxville Utilities Board and APGA Operations & Safety Committee Chair

1:15 PM Welcome To Memphis

1:45 PM APGA Welcome, Association Update
Dave Schryver, President and CEO, American Public Gas Association

2:00 PM PHMSA Perspective: Implementing Congressional Mandates & Pipeline Safety In 2020 And Beyond
Alan Mayberry, Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
Hear how the Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is addressing the mandates within the Congressional PIPES Act of 2020. Better understand how these directives are driving their regulatory agenda. Alan will discuss how the change of administration has impacted both current rulemakings and expectations for pipeline safety efforts in the future.

2:45 PM Networking Break & Vendor Exhibits

3:15 PM State Pipeline Safety Regulator Perspectives
Invited: National Association of Pipeline Safety Regulators

4:00 PM Pipeline Security: Recent Threats Against Distribution Infrastructure and FBI's Role in Incident Response
Jeremy Baker, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of Memphis Field Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Hear from personnel from the Memphis Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) field office on how the Bureau supports pipeline operators in responding to security incidents. Assistant Special Agent in Charge Baker will also share intelligence on threats to distribution infrastructure will be provided to ensure public natural gas utilities are taking appropriate steps in protecting assets.

4:45 PM Adjournment

5:30 PM Networking Reception

Wednesday, October 27

Operations
& Engineering

8 AM

Preparation, Planning & Product Providers Panel

8:50 AM

Member Panel Discussion: Leak Management

9:35 AM

Networking Break With Exhibitors

10:05 AM

Overpressure Protection – Eliminating A Common Mode Of Failure

10:40 AM

Damage Prevention – Ground Penetrating Radar

11:15 AM

TBD Presentation

11:45 AM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Analytics-Driven Advanced Leak Detection (Ald) Technology Helping Gas Utilities Address Network Risk And Emissions

1:50 PM

Member Case Study: Implementing Tracking & Traceability

2:35 PM

Networking Break With Exhibitors

3:05 PM

Meter Bypass Technology

3:40 PM

Quality Control Considerations For Distribution Pipeline Projects

4:15 PM

PE Pipe: Understanding Allowable Scratch Depths

5:15 PM

Networking Reception

Compliance
& Safety

8 AM

Panel Discussion: How Do Utility Managers Influence Safety Culture?

8:50 AM

Current Challenges In PSMS Implementation

9:35 AM

Networking Break With Exhibitors

10:05 AM

Design And Installation Best Practices For Non-Standard Meter Sets

10:40 AM

TBD Presentation

11:15 AM

TBD Presentation

11:45 AM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Use Of Pipeline Safety Key Performance Indicators

1:50 PM

A Practical Way To Make DIMP Work For You

2:35 PM

Networking Break With Exhibitors

3:05 PM

Operator Case Study – Large Scale Outage Planning

3:40 PM

Implementing Measures To Protect Pipelines Under The New TSA Guidelines For Pipeline Security

4:15 PM

APGA Pipeline Safety Legislative And Regulatory Update

5:15 PM

Networking Reception

Environmental &
Workforce Development

8 AM (E)

Emission Mitigation Technologies: A Crash Course

8:50 AM (E)

Using Vacuum Purging To Reduce Methane Emissions

9:35 AM

Networking Break With Exhibitors

10:05 AM (E)

Introducing RNG & Hydrogen In Gas Distribution Systems

10:40 AM (E)

TBD Presentation

11:15 AM (E)

Member Panel Discussion: APGA's Commitment To Environmental Stewardship

11:45 AM

Lunch

1:00 PM (WF)

Industry & Community Partnerships

1:50 PM (WF)

Using Augmented & Virtual Reality In Training

2:35 PM

Networking Break With Exhibitors

3:05 PM (WF)

Employee Recruitment Strategies

3:40 PM (WF)

Retention Tactics

4:15 PM (WF)

Employee Development

5:15 PM

Networking Reception

Thursday, October 28

7:00 AM Coffee & Vendor Exhibits

8:00 AM Kickstart Your Culture of Inclusivity
James Cross & Chris Isaacson, Energy Worldnet Moderated by Stuart Saulters, APGA
Culture. Culture. Culture. It is one of the buzziest of buzzwords. With organizations thrust into a remote (or, at the very least, hybrid) workplace, everyone is trying to crack the culture code these days. This casual session dives deep into the successes of Energy Worldnet, it’s inclusive culture, and the catalysts behind “the movement”. Join APGA’s Stuart Saulters, as he speaks with leadership at Energy Worldnet and learn the tips to kickstarting your culture of inclusivity.

8:45 AM 2021 SOAR Gold Winners: Member Best Practices Panel
Hear from the three APGA 2021 System Operational Achievement Recognition Program Gold Winners. Each will discuss a program they have implemented at their system in an attempt to achieve operational excellence.
1. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - Salina Douglas, Knoxville Utilities Board
2. Employee Development Systems - Durk Tyson, Greenville Utilities Commission
3. Pipeline Safety Management Systems - Bradley Walters, City of Rocky Mount

10:00 AM Networking Break

10:30 AM SIF Update: Shrimp 4.0 Release
Daniel Pate, RCP and Todd Brady, APGA SIF
A new user interface for the SIF SHRIMP tool for Distribution Integrity Management was unveiled this fall. View the new features and learn about next steps for SHRIMP.

11:00 AM Roundtable: Reflection
Moderator: John Lunde, Watertown Municipal Utilities Gas Department, APGA Operations & Safety Vice Chair
This interactive roundtable is an opportunity to share your challenges related to the design, construction, operation and maintenance of natural gas distribution systems.

11:30 AM Conference Wrap-Up & Adjournment

Exhibitor Opportunities

The 2021 APGA Operations Conference will offer companies the opportunity to build brand recognition and support the natural gas utility community. Increase your brand visibility across the natural gas utility community and promote your services and products. Build new relationships with the key leadership at many of America's publicly- and community-owned natural gas utilities. Registration is now open!

View Exhibitor Page

2020 Platinum Sponsors