Educational Sessions

Educational sessions are offered by professional speakers and industry experts who share their time and experience to increase industry knowledge on damage prevention, public awareness, and other related topics. In addition, interactive industry-focused summits impanel industry leaders to address major issues and explore potential solutions. Full Conference registration required to participate in all education sessions and summits.

Check back frequently for updates to educational sessions offered at the 2021 Global Excavation Safety Conference or sign up below to have updates sent directly to your inbox.

We are currently accepting abstracts and session ideas for the 2022 Global Excavation Safety Conference. For consideration, submit your abstract.

Session:

Speaker:

Track:

Day:

Session	Speaker	Track	Day	Start time	End time
The Use and Effects of a Standard Damage Prevention Safety Management System	Mel Christopher, Executive Director, Gold Shovel Standard	Oil & Gas, Excavator, Electric, Water & Sewer, Telecom
Two Confined Space Standards – Which one is for you?	Bruce Magee, Region Product Development Manager, United Rentals	Oil & Gas, Excavator, Electric, Water & Sewer, Telecom, Public Works
Reducing the Consequences of Gas Line Damage	David Heldenbrand, President, Bison Engineering & Daniel Saavedra, Forensic Civil Engineer, Bison Engineering	Excavator, Oil & Gas, Regulatory/Emergency Services
Paying Attention Could Make All the Difference	Jim Willis, CEO, In-Dev Specialists, Inc.	Oil & Gas, Excavator, Electric, GIS, Locate, Notification Center, Regulatory & Emergency Services, Water & Sewer, Telecom, Public Works
De-Escalating Volatile Situations in the Field	Jim Willis, CEO, In-Dev Specialists, Inc.	Oil & Gas, Excavator, Electric, GIS, Locate, Notification Center, Regulatory & Emergency Services, Water & Sewer, Telecom, Public Works
Preventing Electric Utility Damage	Kelley Heinz, Damage Prevention Manager, ComEd	Electric, Oil & Gas, Telecom
Innovations Target Reducing Underground Utility Damage During Construction	Geoff Zeiss, Principal, Between the Poles	Excavator, GIS, Locate
Underground Damages Case Study: Use of Comprehensive Data Analysis	Louis Panzer, Executive Director, North Carolina 811 & Dr. Ahmed Al-Bayati, Assistant Professor: Civil and Architectural Engineering, Lawrence Technical University	Oil & Gas, Excavator, Electric, Locate, Notification Center, Water & Sewer, Telecom, Public Works
Minnesota’s Groundbreaking Project: Underground Utilities Mapping Project Team	Barbara Cederberg, Chief Operating Officer, Gopher State One Call	Excavator, Locate, Notification Center
Online Locate Requests vs Phone Submissions: Why Go Virtual and Is It Safer?	Josef Rosenberg, Contact Centre Manager, Utility Safety Partners	Notification Center
The Power of Safety First	Cliff Meidl,Owner, Cliff Meidl Enterprises	Electric
Leading Women of Damage Prevention	Ketha Molina, Regional Manager, Texas 811	Board, Excavator, Electric, GIS, Locate, Notification Center, Oil & Gas, Regulatory & Emergency Services, Water & Sewer, Telecom, Engineering, Public Works, Professional Development *This session is endorsed by PAPA
The Day We Will Remember	Ricky Rollins, Motivational Safety Speaker	Board, Excavator, Electric, GIS, Locate, Notification Center, Oil & Gas, Regulatory & Emergency Services, Water & Sewer, Telecom, Engineering, Public Works, Professional Development
RP1162 Update	Terri Larson, Principal, Larson Communications	Oil & Gas, Regulatory & Emergency Services *This session is endorsed by PAPA
Buried Alive: A Survivor’s Story	Joe Tantarelli, Implementation Specialist, SafeStart	Excavator
IRS Interest in Good Corporate Governance Practices (IRS Form 990)	Kevin Moore, Partner, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP	Board
Damage Prevention the Chicago Way	Jai Kalayil, Supervising Engineer, Chicago Department of Transportation	Excavator, Electric, Oil & Gas, Water & Sewer, Telecom, Public Works
Adapt and Overcome	John Brix, Professional Speaker	Board, Professional Development
The Pink Cow	John Brix, Professional Speaker	Board, Professional Development *This session is endorsed by PAPA
The Power of Don’t	John Brix, Professional Speaker	Board, Professional Development
Fiber Optic Asset Protection Summit	Moderator: Christopher McDermott, AT&T	Telecom
Notification Center Summit formerly, Global One Call Summit	Moderator: Bruce Campbell, MISS DIG 811	Notification Center
Pipeline Safety & Awareness Summit		Oil & Gas
Electric Safety Summit	Moderator: Cliff Meidl, Cliff Meidl Enterprises	Electric
Excavator Perspective Summit		Excavator
Global Locate Summit		Excavator, Electric, GIS, Locate, Notification Center, Oil & Gas, Regulatory & Emergency Services, Water & Sewer, Telecom, Engineer, Public Works
Water & Sewer Infrastructure Protection Summit	Moderator: Erin Hayes, Kingsbrook Rural Water Panelist: Robert Edwards, Citizens Energy Group	Water & Sewer
Why BBS is Not Enough	Joe Tantarelli, SafeStart	Excavator, Electric, Locate, Oil & Gas, Water & Sewer, Telecom, Professional Development
10 Feet Tall and Bullet Proof	Jack Jackson, SafeStart	Excavator, Electric, Engineer, Public Works
Bad Side of Town	Jack Jackson, SafeStart	Electric, Notification Center, Oil & Gas, Water & Sewer
Managing the Change	Jack Jackson, SafeStart	All Industries
Distribution Public Awareness Council (DPAC) Natural Gas Distribution Safety Benchmarking	DPAC Members	Excavator, Electric, Oil & Gas *This session is endorsed by PAPA
Damage Happens, What Comes Next? Steps to Claims Resolution	Taylor Fudge, Claims Management Resources	Excavator, Electric, Locate, Telecom, Regulatory & Emergency Services
Standardized Ticket Formats	Sher Kirk, Utility Safety Partners	Notification Center
One Call Systems: Big Changes Below the Horizon. The Impact of Changing Technology on One Call Systems	Duane Rodgers, PelicanCorp	Notification Center
The Next Generation of Underground Mapping Best Practices: Advanced Utility Locating and Mapping Technologies to Improve the Accuracy and Speed of Utiltity Locating for Digital Twin	Michael Twohig, DGT Associates	Locating, Public Works
VR-SIM for New York 811	Roger Sampson, New York 811 Annie Burns, UTTO	GIS, Locating, Oil & Gas, Excavator, One Call
Leaving a Safety Legacy	Wylie Davidson, Wylie Davidson, LLC	Public Works, Electric, Telecom, Oil & Gas, Excavator
How to Create a Successful Statewide DPC	John Sparks, Texas 811	Notification Center
Say What?! Communicate your message to anyone!	Kathy Gruver	Plenary Session	Tuesday	1:30pm	2:45pm
Stress Management: Go from Worrier to Warrier	Kathy Gruver	Professional Development	Wednesday	12:00pm	12:45pm
Believe in Safety	Brandon Schroeder	Electric
How New Mexico’s Damage Reporting and Enforcement Tracking System Improves Efficiencies	Thomas Hall, KorTerra Jason Montoya, New Mexico Public Regulation Commission		Wednesday	2:00pm	2:45pm
What Will They Say About You?	Wylie Davidson, Wylie Davidson LLC	Professional Development
Session	Speaker	Track	Day

Education Session Endorsers

We thank these organizations for their collaborative efforts in developing content for their respective industries. Look for these logos indicating sessions that have been endorsed by them.

Session Tracks

With 80+ Conference sessions developed and presented by industry experts, it can sometimes be difficult to determine which topics best fit your individual educational needs. To help you determine the best fit, our sessions are categorized based on industry. We recognize the value of cross-discipline training and Full Conference delegates are always welcome to attend any session.

All Industries

Board Member

Electric

Engineer

Excavator

Gas & Oil

GIS

Locator

Notification Center

Professional
Development

Public Works

Regulatory

Telecom & Cable

Water & Sewer