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Agenda

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Damage Investigation Workshop | 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Speaker: Roger Cox, ACTS Now

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Utility Locator Skill Enhacement Workshop | 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Speaker: Thomas Larkin, Staking University

See Description

Acoustic & RTK 1 Day Certification Course | 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Speaker: Adam Zeciri, Locating Dynamics
 
 

Lunch & NMRCGA Golf Tournament | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Isleta Golf Club

Utility Mapping with GIS Training & Ground Penetrating Radar Training | 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Speaker: Dan Bigman, Bigman Geophysical LLC
 
 

NMRCGA Reception | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Exhibit Hall
 
Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Continental Breakfast in Exhibit Hall | 7:00 AM - 8:15 AM

Exhibit Hall

Welcome to the New Mexico Damage Prevention Summit | 7:45 AM - 8:00 AM

Speaker: Jane Jernigan, NMRCGA
 
Welcome to this year's Conference and thanks to sponsors & exhibitors

The Bold Gold Standard | 8:00 AM - 8:50 AM

Speaker: Dr. Kevin Elko, Keynote Speaker
 
Success always leaves a signature, and that signature is boldness. The bold don’t see the past as failure; they see it as preparation. They don’t wait to be chosen; they choose themselves. They ask, they act, and they take ownership because they know the future doesn’t happen by chance. It happens because someone is bold enough to create it. So the question isn’t whether opportunity exists. The question is whether you’re willing to ask, to step forward, and to own what comes next.

Damage Prevention… A Shared Responsibility | 9:00 AM - 9:50 AM

Speaker: Laura Harrison, New Mexico 811

This session also serves as the New Mexico 811 annual meeting. Laura Harrison will review the previous year and the state of New Mexico 811.

How to Navigate the Challenges and Impact of Fiber Builds | 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM

Speaker: Donna Robinson, NM811 - Moderator, Panel Discussion
 
As Albuquerque undergoes a major fiber infrastructure expansion, coordination and communication have never been more critical. Join 811 for a discussion with key stakeholders in the ongoing fiber build.

What if Reducing Damages Is Not the Right Goal? | 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM

Speaker: Roger Cox, ACTS Now, Inc
 
Damage prevention is often talked about in terms of tools, processes, and compliance — but at its core, it is a cultural issue. The incidents we see are rarely caused by a lack of rules or technology. More often, they stem from habits, assumptions, communication gaps, or competing priorities that shape everyday decisions in the field. Attend this session to learn about the Damage Prevention Innovation Lab (D PIL), a new initiative with the goal of challenging the current culture of damage prevention.

Lunch Buffet w/ Awards | 12:30 PM - 1:20 PM

 

The Damage That Teaches Nothing | 1:30 PM - 2:20 PM

Speaker: Roger Cox, ACTS Now, Inc

We investigate damages, identify causes, assign responsibility, and close cases—but are we actually learning from them? This session challenges the traditional approach to damage investigations and explores how to turn every incident into actionable information that can prevent the next one. Participants will examine the difference between identifying a cause and understanding the conditions that allowed the damage to occur, uncover failed barriers, recognize recurring patterns, and turn lessons learned into meaningful changes in behavior, processes, and practices. The goal is simple: move from investigating damage to creating prevention.

AI in the Industry | 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM

Speaker: Ryan Casey, SKAPA



Judgment Index Session | 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM

Speaker: TBD

TBD

NM Dig Law Update | 3:30 PM - 4:20 PM

Speaker: Jason Montoya, NMPSB
 
Update on the NM dig law and expectations going forward.

NMRCGA Reception with Door Prizes | 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Speaker: Doug Beck, WTG
What can happen to your employees who work in geographically remote areas? What can you do to save their lives?
 
Thursday, October 22, 2026

Continental Breakfast in Exhibit Hall 7:00 AM - 7:50 AM

The Buried Truth Uncovered | 8:00 AM - 8:50 AM

Speaker: Eric Giguere, Safety Awareness Solutions

Attend this session to learn from Eric Giguere what it means to survive a trench collapse at 27 years old and how it impacted his life and the life of family, friends and coworkers. 

Optimizing Your 811 Tools | 9:00 AM - 9:50 AM

Facilitator: Staff, New Mexico 811
 

Rethinking Trench Safety | 9:00 AM - 9:50 AM

Speaker: Tristen Warner, United Rentals
 
Working underground is extremely hazardous.  Rules for such work are in place, and protective systems exist that should keep workers safe.  So why are 30-45 people dying every year in trenches and excavation?  It could be that many people think they know the rules, but really don’t.  It has also been found that many people have been taught the wrong thing.  Or they modify systems without proper approval from a registered professional engineer.  This session will clarify misinterpretations, inaccuracies and false knowledge surrounding trench safety.

Locating session | 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM

Speaker: Thomas Larkin, Staking University
 

Understand Confined Space Rules - End Confined Space Incidents | 10:00 AM - 10:50 PM

Speaker: Bruce Magee, United Rentals

The average number of deaths due to confined spaces is about 100 each year. Regardless of the statistics, far too many people die each year in entirely preventable incidents. So, why are these tragedies still happening?  Attend this session to learn more about why and how they can be prevented.

NM811 2026 Update and Changes | 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM

Speaker: Kellen Tetreault, NM811 Liaison Team

New chat features, new rules, and a new portal! Coming soon to your favorite 811. This class will explain new and upcoming rule changes, and how/when they will be implemented at the NM811. 

Contact us for any questions:
Email: thesummit@aligningchange.com  Phone: 501-548-6363