Damage Investigation Workshop | 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Speaker: Roger Cox, ACTS Now
Utility Locator Skill Enhacement Workshop | 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Speaker: Thomas Larkin, Staking University
Lunch & NMRCGA Golf Tournament | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Isleta Golf Club
NMRCGA Reception | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Continental Breakfast in Exhibit Hall | 7:00 AM - 8:15 AM
Welcome to the New Mexico Damage Prevention Summit | 7:45 AM - 8:00 AM
The Bold Gold Standard | 8:00 AM - 8:50 AM
Damage Prevention… A Shared Responsibility | 9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
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.
Best Practices for Successful Navigation of Fiber Builds | 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
What if Reducing Damages Is Not the Right Goal? | 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Lunch Buffet w/ Awards | 12:30 PM - 1:20 PM
NM811 2026 Innovation and Resources | 1:30 PM - 2:20 PM
How is AI Changing the Face of Damage Prevention? | 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM
AI is reshaping damage prevention across three dimensions: scale (100% record review vs. random sampling), speed (same-day error detection), and scope (analyzing imagery, not just reading text). This session provides a practical AI primer covering machine learning and large language models, then walks through real-world case studies. The presentation emphasizes a collaborative, human-in-the-loop approach where AI supports decision-making rather than replacing it. Learn the practical difference between machine learning and large language models, and when each applies to damage prevention workflows. Learn how AI can be used to significantly improve quality control effort and replace yesterday’s best practices. Explore how multi-modal AI analyzes satellite imagery and text data to assess work requests, right of way locations and other laborious tasks. Take away actionable steps — including feasibility studies and pilot programs — to evaluate AI readiness in damage prevention.
An Introduction to the Judgment Index™ | 2:30 PM - 3:20 PM
Speakers: Steve Byrum, Founding Partner, COO & Roger Wall, Partner & CMO, Judgment Index
An introduction to the Judgment Index™—an innovative axiological assessment that looks beyond personality to provide objective, quantifiable insight into how individuals process information, evaluate situations, and make decisions. How is a candidate or employee likely to respond in a safety-sensitive role, particularly when working under pressure? What strengths, potential risks, and decision-making patterns might that individual bring to a leadership position? The Judgment Index™ helps organizations better understand the judgment and practical reasoning capabilities of their people—supporting safer performance, stronger leadership, better hiring decisions, and the placement of the right people in the right roles.
NM Dig Law Update | 3:30 PM - 4:20 PM
NMRCGA Reception with Door Prizes | 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Continental Breakfast in Exhibit Hall 7:00 AM - 7:50 AM
The Buried Truth Uncovered | 8:00 AM - 8:50 AM
Optimizing Your 811 Tools | 9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
Bill Pritchard & Sam Hernandez, New Mexico 811
Rethinking Trench Safety | 9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
Integrating GPR Technology with Traditional Locating Techniques | 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
Head technical trainer Thomas Larkin of Staking University discusses using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to bolster locates when paired with traditional locating devices.
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.
The Damage That Teaches Nothing | 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
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.