2024 Engineers and Operations Conference & Tradeshow

Description

ENGINEERS & OPERATIONS CONFERENCE
September 25-27, 2024
Inn on Lake Superior, Duluth, MN

This annual conference is a venue for the co-op engineering and operations professionals to learn about best practices and emerging issues, obtain valuable tools to enhance operations, and have the opportunity to network and share lessons learned and experiences with others from around the state. There is opportunity to share and discover programs that are successful for other cooperatives. Good practices, education about new practices and tools in system design, and updates on rules and regulations are reviewed.

AGENDA

WEDNESDAY
12:00pm  Registration
1:00pm    Welcome & Introductions 
1:05pm    What is the MN Board of Electricity - Cole Funseth, GRE & Board of Electricity 
1:30pm    New Hire Training Best Practices Panel - 
                 Melissa Belschner-Dakota Electric 
                 Erica Schmidt-Connexus
                 Kyle Neal-MN Valley Electric 
                 Tony Adensam-Minnkota Power
2:30pm    Break
2:45pm    New ERA Applications & GRIP Update - John Carr-Dairyland, Jamie Stallman-GRE, & Andrew Sorbo-Minnkota
3:45pm    CVR - Nate Knudsen-ECE & Erica Schmidt-Connexus
4:30pm   Adjourn 
5:30pm    Dinner sponsored by Primus Marketing

THURSDAY
7:00am     Breakfast in hotel breakfast area
8:00am     Secondary Design Guide/Considerations - Noah Rogers, Connexus
9:00am     Work Order Inspections Panel - Mike Mezera-PSE, McKade Kleinknecht-STAR Energy, Chris Graff-Sioux Valley
10:00am   Break
10:15am   Federated Update - Chad Knutson
11:00am    Ethics Speaker - Nick Vaughn, General Council - Border States
12:00pm   Lunch 
1:00pm     Challenges Faced During the 2024 Guatemala Electrification Trip - Joe Miller-MREA & Eric Dessner-People's Energy
1:30pm     MREA Legislative Update - Darrick, MREA
2:00pm     Break 
2:15pm     Data Centers - Are you aligned for the Chalenge? - Arnold Singleton-NOVEC, VA
3:15pm     Vendor Member Presentions
3:45pm     Adjourn

4:30pm - 6:00pm     MREA vendor member trade show and reception. Held at The Garden Event Center.

FRIDAY
7:00am     Breakfast in hotel breakfast area 
8:00am     Field Failure Modes Investigation - Jesse Hall, Virginia Transformer 
9:00am     2024 DER Updates - Kristi Robinson, STAR Energy
10:00am   Break 
10:15am   Battery Storage Projects Around the State - Kyle Leier-GRE & Tom Guttormson-Connexus    
11:15am   Committee Elections 
11:30        Wrap up & Adjourn

 

Continuing Education Credits (CECs)
Attendance at this event can be utilized for the submission of CECs.  Each participant will be awarded a Certificate of Attendance after the event takes place.  Please click the following link to access instructions for printing the certificate, found in your profile on our website.

 Please note that the number of credits listed within MREA's system is an estimation of what this event is worth.  Each state calculates CECs differently, thus individuals should follow recommendations of the state in which they make submissions when calculating CEUs earned for this, and other, events and classes attended.  For assistance in calculating PDH visit http://mn.gov/aelslagid/contedfaq.html

HOTEL
The Inn on Lake Superior
350 Canal Park Drive
Duluth, MN 55802
218-726-1111

Per night costs:
Standard poolside $179.99
Cityview $184.99
Bridgeview $189.99
Standard Lakeview $204.99
Lakeview Suites $209.99
For reservations please call: 218-726-1111. No online booking, you must call to get the room block rate.

EVENT POLICIES

MREA EVENT CANCELLATION POLICY (Click on link)

MREA EVENT CODE OF CONDUCT (LINK TO FULL POLICY)
MREA is committed to providing a safe, productive and welcoming environment for all participants and staff in MREA meetings, conferences, training programs, and events both online and in-person. All Event participants including but not limited to attendees, speakers, exhibitors, staff, students, guests and vendors, are expected to abide by this MREA Event Code of Conduct, and this code applies to all space and situations in which MREA meeting-related activities are being conducted, including virtual meetings and those sponsored by organizations other than MREA but held in conjunction with MREA Events. Participation constitutes agreement to comply with the Code of Conduct as a condition of attendance. 

2024 LATE REGISTRATION
All events in 2024 will be subject to a $50 late registration fee for anyone that registers less than 2 weeks prior to the published event dates.