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September 9-11, 2025

The Lodge at Gulf State Park,
Gulf Shores

Agenda

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Tuesday September 9, 2024

Summit Fishing Trip | 6:30 AM
Summit Golf Outing | 8:00 AM

Gulf Shores Golf Club

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Damage Investigation Workshop | 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Speaker: Roger Cox, ACTS

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Utility Locator Training Workshop | 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Speaker: Bob Nighswonger, Utility Training Academy

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Another Stupid Mistake! A Discussion on Making Routine Work Safer | 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Speaker: Sharon Lipinski, Habit Mastery Consulting

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Another Stupid Mistake! A Discussion on Making Routine Work Safer | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Speaker: Sharon Lipinski, Habit Mastery Consulting

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Ground Penetrating Radar Training | 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Speaker: Dan Bigman, Bigman Geophysical LLC

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Alabama 811 Reception | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Located in the Exhibit area, with networking, food and drinks for all.

Wednesday September 10, 2024

Welcome & Opening Remarks | 7:50 AM - 8:00 AM
Your Reputation is Your Brand | 8:00 AM - 8:50 AM

Speaker: Scott Wozniak, Swoz Consulting

This session revolves around the importance of consistency and how best to utilize immediate feedback for continuous improvement.  Understanding the value of branding can create successful relationships for your customers, your coworkers and other stakeholders.

Alabama 811 Annual Operations Update | 9:00 AM - 10:20 AM

Speaker: Annette Bowman, Alabama 811

Alabama 811 reports annually on its operations for the past year and its vision for the future. There are many exciting programs on the horizon for both AL811 members and excavators and you can find out about them first here!

CGA Update - 50 in 5 Initiative | 10:30 AM - 11:20 AM

Speaker: Khyrsanne Kerr, CGA

Learn how key CGA damage prevention initiatives assist stakeholders in keeping America safe and connected. Khrysanne will also give an overview of the latest D.I.R.T. report.

Networking with Exhibitors | 11:30 AM - 11:50 AM
Lunch | 12:00 PM - 1:20 PM
Networking with Exhibitors | 1:30 PM - 2:20 PM
Intro to SUE | 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM

Speaker: Andrew Clark, Surveying and Mapping (SAM)

 

Whether we are talking design or damage prevention, there are many benefits to incorporating Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) into an excavation project. Attend this session to learn more about SUE and how it’s deployed.
Positive Response: How to Respond and When is More Than Initial Response Needed | 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM

Speaker: Jennifer Pickle, Kim Covan & Jeff Bice – Alabama 811

Many locate requests can be responded to with a definite response code. However, there are some that need to have a follow-up to present quality communications to the excavator to help minimize potential damage or downtime. Real case studies will illustrate how to improve communications through positive response codes.
Broadband Expansion - What to Know and How to Keep Updated | 3:30 PM - 4:20 PM
Speaker: Chad Copeland, SVP Fiber Engineering and Development

How will the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program dollars be allocated within Alabama? What other funding programs will impact broadband development and installation in the state? Find out what information is available on where these grant funds are being allocated and how to find information for dollars pending for your area.
Summit Reception / Door Prizes | 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Join us in the Exhibit area for networking, food, drinks and door prizes you don’t want to miss!

Thursday September 11, 2024

Positive Response Codes - Contributing to Clarity or Confusion? | 8:00 AM - 8:50 AM
Moderator: Bill Turner, Tennessee 811
Panel Discussion
Positive response codes were designed to play a crucial role in clear and specific communication between the excavator and the utility (locator). Both excavators and locators alike have expressed displeasure with the codes not being specific enough. Is it time to revisit this issue? Have current positive response codes contributed to a lack of clarity in the excavator process? Should there be universal codes that cross state lines to provide greater clarity and confidence in the system? Should the process begin with asking excavators and locators to sit down together with the 811 centers to identify their specific concerns?
Drop in A Hat Topic Session | 9:00 AM - 9:50 AM

Speaker: Annette Bowman, Alabama 811 & Roger Cox, ACTS Now Inc.

Come join this fun and interactive session. During the week, we will collect various topics of interest and challenges being faced in real-world projects. This round table group discussion will allow for open discussion and problem-solving first hand.

Data Analysis Tools: Alabama 811’s Solution for Its Members | 9:00 AM - 9:50 AM

Speaker: Jason Clements, Progressive Partnering

Data can be the key to identifying and correcting issues in your damage prevention program. To assist our members, Alabama 811 has built out a data analysis tool. Progressive Partnering Data Architect will review this application, address how the data can be developed further and illustrate real examples of how data analysis can be beneficial.

What does "Reasonable Care" Look Like? | 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM

Speaker: Sandy Sanford, Cascio Sanford Government Law Group PLLC 

Many of the enforcement violation complaints refer to “lack of reasonable care” as the violation filed. But what is reasonable care? Alabama legislation referenced it but does not define it. This session will discuss what is reasonable care and what it looks like for various situations.
Enforcement Trends and Real Field Issues | 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM

Speaker: Annette Bowman, Alabama 811

 

The Enforcement Program has worked through some growing pains but with several years under the belt, the data trends are beginning to emerge. What are some of the issues being faced in the field that are resulting in violation complaints? What is the best way to illustrate those in your filed complaints or responses?
Locate Rodeo | 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Site: TBD

Register to compete see Locate Rodeo page for signups.

Mandatory Rules meeting: 1:30pm

Competition starts: 2:00pm

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