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NOV 10 - UAPA FALL Asphalt Conference - St. George Sessions

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Vendor Move In - Attendee Check in - Breakfast - Raffle tickets - Networking

6:00 - 8:00 AM

Summary
SETUP 6:00 am - 7:30am BOOTH - Vendor Set up (Bulk move in night before at 6PM) OPEN 7:00am - 8:00am OPEN Registration & Raffle tickets & Breakfast & Vendor time

Welcome to the 2026 UAPA Fall Asphalt Conference. We are grateful to have you with us for a day of learning, networking, and strengthening Utah's asphalt industry.

8:00 - 8:20 AM

Speakers
  • Jonas Staker - Staker Parson M&C, UAPA President
  • Bup Minardi - UAPA Director of Industry Relations
Summary
Welcome: UAPA at Work Across Utah A brief look at UAPA’s work over the past year and how the association supports its members, agencies and Utah’s asphalt industry.

UDOT PANEL: From Innovation to Implementation: UDOT Regional Updates That Matter

8:20 - 9:00 AM

Location
Main Hall
Speakers
  • Howard Anderson, P.E.
  • Cory Bekkemellom
  • Jared Dastrup
  • Kendall Maedgen
Summary
'From Innovation to Implementation: UDOT Regional Updates That Matter Updates on Hi-Mod, RAP, Education and Training, Rolling Density Meter, and regional updates from UDOT and Special Service District, projects affecting the region. Presented by Howard Anderson-UDOT, Cory Bekkemellom-UDOT, Jared Dastrup-UDOT, Kendall Maedgen-UDOT and additional regional representatives

VENDOR Introductions, Networking & Get to CLASS

9:00 - 9:30 AM

1st BREAKOUT - Option A - Right Road, Right Treatment, Right Time

9:30 - 10:20 AM

Location
Room 1
Speakers
  • Cynthia Powell - Technology/Women of Asphalt, Sr Mgr
    Cynthia Powell is Senior Manager of Asphalt Technology at Verde Resources Inc. She also serves in a consulting capacity with Aztec Asphalt Technology. She has over 20 years of experience in asphalt materials, mix design, and pavement preservation. She is known for translating laboratory research into practical field solutions that extend pavement life and sustainability.
Summary
Using Data to Make Every Pavement Dollar Count

1st BREAKOUT - Option B - AI That Works for You

9:30 - 10:20 AM

Location
Room 2
Speakers
  • Andrew Ostler - CEO & Co-Founder
    Co-founder of Sturdy, which helps CMT and geotechnical firms use AI so engineers and lab managers spend less time on monotonous work and more time on high-impact work. While studying at Utah Valley University, Andrew spent nearly two years at CONSOR in surveying and materials testing, where he developed a love for civil construction. Through a university founder program, he and co-founder James started Sturdy. Andrew now works on Sturdy full time while pursuing a Master's in Computer Science at Utah State University.
  • Adam Ross - Co-Founder
    Technical co-founder of Sturdy, specializing in software engineering, machine learning, and AI implementation.
Summary
Practical Ways to Save Time, Work Smarter and Improve Productivity. Learn the basics of AI, practical ways to make work easier, and responsible-use practices—including UAPA’s new AI policy. AI is a tool we should understand and use wisely. What if you had an assistant who could draft your daily reports, clean up field notes, and summarize a spec in minutes? If AI feels overhyped, confusing, or a little risky, this class is for you. Led by the founders of Sturdy, who bring hands-on experience from the construction industry, this session shows how to treat AI like a capable intern: it handles the busy work, and you review and approve the final product. You'll learn where AI helps and where it doesn't, how to keep sensitive project information safe, and how to stay in control of every result. We'll wrap up with a live demo of AI tackling real construction tasks, and you'll leave with simple prompts and practical tools you can use the next day.

Vendor Networking & Get to CLASS

10:20 - 10:30 AM

2nd BREAKOUT - Option A - Quality Doesn’t Happen by Accident

10:30 - 11:20 AM

Location
Room 1
Speakers
  • R. Buzz Powell, PhD, PE - Technical Director, APA
    Buzz worked for 12 years with the Alabama DOT and 2 years in the private sector before becoming NCAT's first Test Track Manager in 1999. In the fall of 2023, he retired from NCAT and became the first Technical Director of the Asphalt Pavement Alliance. Buzz is passionate about supporting and promoting quality asphalt pavement!.
Summary
Practical workmanship skills for plant and road crews—from clearly defining and specifying quality to delivering and verifying the finished product.

2nd BREAKOUT - Option B - Myths, Magic, and Missed Opportunities of Social Media for Government Agencies & Industry.

10:30 - 11:20 AM

Location
Room 2
Speakers
  • Sharice Walker - Public Involvement Manager
    Sharice has communicated complex concepts and interacted with communities about emotionally charged topics for over two decades. Her extensive communications background spans multiple fields including transportation, K-12 public education, university programs, and science research. Sharice’s work experience include time as a TV and print news reporter, public information officer, public relations director, and communications manager. She is experienced in crafting and executing strategic communication plans using a variety of engagement methods.
Summary
Social Media has evolved with overwhelming speed over the past 20 years, but a handful of best practices remain foundational for sharing information in these virtual gathering places. This session will explore how to tap into existing social networks to communicate with your community. No TikTok dance required.

Vendor Introduction & LUNCH & Networking

11:20 AM - 12:00 PM

Keynote: When Life Gives You Bananas… Make Banana Bread!

12:00 - 12:45

Location
Main Hall
Speakers
  • Kate Guthrie
  • Brock Guthrie
Summary
What do you do when life doesn’t turn out the way you planned? Kate and Brock Guthrie share how an unexpected prank involving 100 bananas became Kate’s Banana Bread—and what it taught them about embracing uncertainty, taking action, and making the most of what life puts in front of you. Presented by Kate and Brock Guthrie, Founders of Kate’s Banana Bread katesbananabread.com

Charity Partner - Warrior Rizen Foundation

12:45 - 12:55 PM

Summary
A Ranch Providing Healing and Unity for Veterans, Law Enforcement & Their Families They are a 6,500 acre Dude Ranch in Morgan, UT for Military and Survivor families. Inviting veterans, law enforcement and their families to escape their day-to-day and come to the ranch to experience a week-long vacation where we work hard and play hard. Here you will learn to raise animals and grow your own food, push cattle and play cowboy for a week. https://warriorrizenfoundation.org/

Vendor Networking & Get to CLASS

12:55 - 1:10 PM

3rd BREAKOUT - Option A - HOW TO: Get It Right—Chip Seals, Roller Patterns and Hot Plants

1:10 - 2:00 PM

Location
Room 1
Speakers
  • R. Buzz Powell, PhD, PE - Technical Director, APA
Summary
Practical guidance for improving materials, equipment practices and field results from the plant to the pavement.

3rd BREAKOUT - Option B - Make Road Repairs Last, HELD in Parking Lot South of Conference Center. Hands on Experience.

1:10 - 2:00 PM

Speakers
  • Chris Robb - Maxwell Products
  • James Clark - Crafco Preservation Products
Summary
Best practices for repairing asphalt cracking, fatigue cracking, pothole and utility repairs. This class will be outdoors where they will be using a crack seal machine, mastic kettle and router to show proper use of equipment in repairing asphalt. There will be discussion on sealcoating after base and repairs are completed on distressed asphalt.

Vendor Networking & Get to CLASS

2:00 - 2:20 PM

Scholarship Presentations

2:20 - 2:45 PM

Location
Main Hall

Wrap up Panel - Southern Utah Roads Roundtable: Discussion and Shared Learning

2:45 - 3:45 PM

Location
Main Hall
Speakers
  • Rick Johnson - UAPA Executive Director
  • R. Buzz Powell, PhD, PE - Asphalt Pavement Alliance
  • Cynthia Powell - Technology/Women of Asphalt, Sr. Mgr.
  • Luke Peterson - Ingevity
  • Tim Biel - CMT Technical Services
Summary
Southern Utah Roads Roundtable: Discussion and Shared Learning A moderated Q&A featuring public-agency and industry professionals sharing practical experiences for local governments and industry professionals. The topics covered will include 1. Accepting new roads from contractors/developers. How to ensure you are inheriting good quality roadways. 2. Engineering, design and construction topics. Why APWA is a great resource for your agency. 3. Preservation that works on a shoe string budget. One example Uintah County's tar sands. 4. Employee focused initiatives that work? Training, motivation, safety, & employee recognition. (San Juan Counties efforts to reduce preventable accident initiative.) 5. Getting your projects funded. 6. Asphalt initiatives: UDOTs Hi-Mod Asphalt, Cold in place recycling(CIR); Warm Mix Asphalt Updates, and recycled asphalt pavement (RAP). Moderated by Rick Johnson, UAPA | Panelists Include: Buzz Powell-Asphalt Pavement Alliance; Cynthia Powell-Asphalt Technology & Women in Asphalt; Tim Biel-CMT, Luke Peterson-Ingevity, and others from the regional cities and county representatives.

Conference WRAP UP & RAFFLE giveways

3:45 - 4:00 PM

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