2021 APGA Operations Conference: Oct 26-28

Join APGA for the 2021 APGA Operations Conference next Oct 26-28 in Memphis, Tennessee!

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 APGA Operations Conference was hosted online and had over 24 hours of content! 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. The 2021 APGA Operations Conference should be even bigger!

2020 Operations attendees can log into https://apga-operations.secure-platform.com with the same APGA username and password that you used to register for the conference to view past recordings or visit the 2020 APGA Operations Conference Community library to view the session recordings.

SPEAKER NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN

APGA is pleased to announce that we have officially opened our call for 2021 Operations Conference speaker submissions! The Operations Conference program will be developed using the volunteers, nominations, and recommendations through this form. You are free to nominate yourself, a colleague, or a great presenter you have seen at another conference. Note: If you are a company that sells services or products to natural gas utilities, you must be an APGA Associate Member to have your session considered.

Submit Session

Attendee Registration & Pricing

The conference is now over! Registration for 2021 will open next summer!

Conference Location & Hotel Information

The 2021 APGA Fall Board and Committee Meetings and 2021 APGA Operations Conference will take place October 26-28 at The Guest House at Graceland Memphis, Tennessee. The room block will open mid-2021.

View Location Information

Agenda & Session Schedule

APGA Operations Conference Program

The 2020 APGA Operations Conference had speakers and panels of experts on topics such as integrity management, regulatory compliance, research and development, and new technology. The conference will also include sponsor showcases of the latest in products and services for natural gas distribution operations. Attendees will get to hear and participate in:

Six sessions each focused on Operations & Engineering, Transmission Pipelines, and Safety & Compliance topic tracks
Using Augmented & Virtual Reality for Training
Best Practices from your publicly-owned utility peers
Safety & Skills for Next-Gen Workforce
MAOP Verification Methods
Updates on safety regulations

You can now view our 2020 Operations Conference session agenda below, as well as view our past agendas.

View 2020 Session Schedule At A Glance (PDF)

View All Past Agendas

Professional Development Hours

The APGA Operations Conference provides 24.5 professional development hours (PDH) for the entire conference and 12.5 PDH per track (Opening Session, six track-specific sessions, bonus sessions). PDHs are required by many states to maintain professional engineering licensure.

Schedule At A Glance

All times noted are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Download a PDF of the Schedule at a Glance.

Monday, October 19 - Opening Session

10:30 am - 10:45 am Welcome & Opening Remarks - Carl Smith, APGA Operations & Safety Committee Chairman, and Dave Schryver, APGA President & CEO. The morning Opening Session is sponsored by Industrial Training Services Inc.

10:45 am - 11:45 am PHMSA Update – 2020 in Review & Looking ahead to 2021 - Alan Mayberry, Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) . The morning Opening Session is sponsored by Industrial Training Services Inc.

11:45 am - 12:45 pm Workplace Safety Beyond the Pandemic - Mark Baker, Vice President of Workplace Practice Area, National Safety Council. The morning Opening Session is sponsored by Industrial Training Services Inc.

12:45 pm - 1:30 pm Break

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Workforce Diversity & Inclusion - Paula R. Glover, President & CEO, American Association of Blacks in Energy. The afternoon Opening Session is sponsored by Energy Worldnet.

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm A Case Study: Safety Skills Gap - Frontline Leadership & Next Generation Capability - ET Daryl Brister, President, Shea Capability & Compliance Solutions. The afternoon Opening Session is sponsored by Energy Worldnet.

Operations & Engineering

Tuesdays
1:00 – 3:00 PM ET

October 20

1-3 PM ET

Over and Under Pressure Safety Devices Presented by Andrew Marra, Product Manager & Sarah Keller, Regional Sales Manager for BelGas. This session is sponsored by MarieCo.

Enhanced Meter Data Management Presented by Cody Stallings, Gas Engineer, Wilson Energy & Andy Kleintank, PMC Technical Sales Consultant, Honeywell | Process Measurement and Control. This session is sponsored by Honeywell.

October 27

1-3 PM ET

A Systematic Approach to Gas Operations Presented by Laura Mooney, Gas Engineering Manager, and Stephen Mayfield, AGM-Gas Operations, for City of Tallahassee - This session is sponsored by Equipment Controls Company, Inc.

Increasing Reliability Through System Upgrades Presented by Stephen Harris, Vice President of Operations, Powell Clinch Utility District (PCUD). This session is sponsored by Enetics.

November 3

1-3 PM ET

Portable and Mobile Natural Gas Leak Detection Technologies to Satisfy DOT 192 Regulations Presented by Paul Wehnert, Heath Consultants Incorporated. Session sponsored by Southern Cross

Managing DOT Relocation Projects Presented by Chris McKinley and Cory Truitt, Southern Cathodic Protection Company. This session is sponsored by WL Plastics.

Transmission Pipelines

Wednesdays
1:00 – 3:00 PM ET

October 21

1-3 PM ET

The Road to the Mega-Rule: The Impact of the San Bruno Incident on the Nation's Pipeline Safety Agenda Presented by Keith Coyle, Shareholder, Babst Calland. Session is sponsored by Control Southern/Emerson.

Identifying Moderate Consequence Areas on Gas Transmission Pipelines Presented by Bryan Daniel, GIS Project Manager, and Rob Getman, Engineering Technical Lead, Magnolia River. Session sponsored by Locusview.

October 28

1-3 PM ET

Changes in Operator Qualification Tasks Due to the New Gas Transmission Rule Presented by Wallace (Wally) McGaughey, Director of Regulatory Compliance, G2 Integrated Solutions. Session sponsored by G2 Integrated Solutions.

Gas Transmission Pipeline MAOP Reconfirmation Options Presented by Michael Berg, Director of Integrity Programs, RCP. This session is sponsored by RCP.

November 4

1-3 PM ET

Preparing for the New Valve Rule Presented by Mike LaMont, Director, Integrity Services, TRC. Session sponsored by Ed Young Sales Co. (EYSCO)

Pipeline Permitting: Recent Developments Impacting the Natural Gas Industry Presented by Christine Wyman, Senior Principal, Bracewell. Session is sponsored by MEA Energy Association.

Compliance & Safety

Thursdays
1:00 – 3:00 PM ET

October 22

1-3 PM ET

PSMS Key Takeaways: Implementation Approaches and Lessons Learned Presented by Binh Chau, Operations Manager, Paris-Henry Public County Utility District and Steven Allen, Executive Director of Pipeline Safety, Energy Worldnet. Session is sponsored by Precision Pipeline Solutions.

Best Practices / Taking the Next Step Presented by Clint Shevat, Process & Compliance Manager, and Darryl Singleton, Gas Operations Superintendent, of Pensacola Energy. This session is sponsored by Sensit Technologies.

October 29

1-3 PM ET

The 'Heart' of Public Awareness Presented by Dr. Christie Murray, Director of Stakeholder Engagement, ROSEN Group. Sponsored by USDI.

Local Permitting: A Municipal LDC Advantage in Damage Prevention Presented by Jonathan Mason, Assistant Gas Superintendent, Chambersburg Gas Department

November 5

1-3 PM ET

Drug & Alcohol Testing: Teaching Not-So-Old Dogs New Tricks

Presented by Leslie Prince, President, Compliance Systems. Session sponsored by Compliance Systems.

Training Your Workforce 2020 Presented by Dahlia Rochell, Director of Human Resources, and Terrill Booker, Administrator of Regulatory & Safety Compliance, Lake Apopka Natural Gas District. Session sponsored by Energy Vision.

Bonus
Sessions

Fridays
1:00 – 2:00 PM ET

October 23

1-2 PM ET

Virtual Reality (VR) Training Benefits and Capabilities Presented by Ray Deatherage, Senior Program Manage, Gas Technology Institute - This session is sponsored by the APGA Research Foundation.

October 30

1-2 PM ET

TSA’s Work to Advance Infrastructure Resilience through Improved Pipeline Security by Sonya Proctor, Assistant Administrator for Surface Operations/Security Operations, Transportation Security Administration

November 6

1-2 PM ET

APGA & SIF - Update on Tools & Programs Presented by Erin Kurilla, Vice President of Operations & Pipeline Safety, APGA. This session is sponsored by APGA Security & Integrity Foundation.

Sponsorship Opportunities

APGA Operations Conference offers companies the opportunity to build brand recognition and support the natural gas utility community. Join us as a sponsor for the 2020 Operations Conference! 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 municipal natural gas utilities..

View Sponsorship Page

Click here to view the sponsor prospectus (PDF)

Platinum Sponsors