Description

Asphalt Summit Conference Agenda – Vernal, Ut

OPENING GENERAL SESSION (8:00 – 10:00)

1. Welcome to UAPA Central/Eastern Asphalt Summit – Greg Miles, County Commissioner Duchesne County (15 Min)

   • Welcome to the area, update on what is happening in the region and an inspirational message.

2. UAPA Welcome & Update (15 min) - Rick Johnson, Executive Director, UAPA

   • Membership Update

   • Health of UAPA Update

   • Key Initiatives (Lunch & Learns, Workforce Development, Harmonizing Specs APWA, WMA, etc.)

3. Introduction to UAPA’s Charity Partner for the year – Warrior Rizen Ranch (10 min)

4. Workforce Development Stackable Credentials (15 min)

   • Zak Konakis – Utah State University

5. UDOT Regional Update & Review

   • Rob Clayton, UDOT Region 3, Region Director (15 min)

   • Greg Searle, UDOT Region 3, Region Materials Engineer (15 min) 

Time to visit vendor booths

1st BREAKOUT SESSIONS (Morning Breakouts: 10:00 – 11:00)

1. “Best Practices for Municipalities/counties to Maximize their Street Improvement Program”  (45-60 min) 

   • Presenter: Mike Skinner, Executive Director, Asphalt Pavement Alliance 

     • With over 34 years in asphalt pavement engineering and more than a decade in association leadership, Mike Skinner leads the Asphalt Pavement Alliance—a national coalition of NAPA, the Asphalt Institute, and State Asphalt Pavement Associations. A Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) and Certified Association Executive (CAE), Mike brings deep technical expertise and strategic vision to his role, driving national efforts in asphalt education, sustainability, and industry advancement.

   • Course Description: 

     • This session will provide practical guidance for local agencies seeking to get the most out of their street improvement budgets. The course will cover proven strategies to extend pavement life, prioritize projects, optimize maintenance schedules, and make data-driven decisions. Attendees will learn how to incorporate best practices in planning, design, materials selection, and construction to improve long-term performance and reduce life-cycle costs. Real-world examples and collaborative solutions will be shared to help municipalities and counties deliver more effective, cost-efficient street programs.

   • Target Audience: 

     • City and county engineers, public works officials, transportation planners, pavement managers, and consultants supporting local infrastructure programs.  It will benefit anyone managing streets or parking lots.

2. Asphalt 101 & Asphalt Inspections Basics (45-60 min)

   • Presenters & Panel: 

     • Dan McDaniel-Geneva Rock, Cory Bekkemellom/Jon Ogden - UDOT Central, Greg Searle-UDOT or Clayton Weaver - UDOT

   • Course Description:  

     • Whether you're new to the industry or looking for a solid refresher, this introductory session covers the essential principles of asphalt pavement construction. Topics will include proper site preparation, subgrade evaluation, material types, and the fundamentals of compaction and paving. Attendees will also gain an understanding of key quality control and quality assurance testing methods used throughout the construction process. 

   • Target Audience:

     • This course is ideal for contractors, agency personnel, inspectors, and anyone seeking a foundational understanding of how high-quality asphalt pavements are built from the ground up.

LUNCH TIME GENERAL SESSION KEYNOTE SPEAKER (11:00 to 12:30)

1. Clint Morton Back by popular demand.---Magic show (15 Minutes)

2. While Eating Lunch Speaker General Session: “Roads of the National Parks: A Tour of the Western US-Fun human-interest story of asphalt.” (45 min)

   • Mike Skinner, Asphalt Pavement Alliance (Speak during lunch)

3. Raffle (5-10 Items)

Time to visit vendor booths

2nd BREAKOUT SESSIONS (Afternoon Breakouts 12:30-2:00)

1. Utah Innovations in Asphalt: APWA Specs, Warm Mix Asphalt, Hi-Mod Asphalt and RAP – Critical Updates & Lessons Learned (60 min)

   • Presenters & Panelists:

     • Clint Morrill – Burdick Materials, Inc.

     • Dan McDaniel – UAPA Technical Committee Chairman & Geneva Rock Products, Inc.

     • Bryan Ady - Coughlin Company, Inc. 

     • Howard Anderson – UDOT Central

   • Course Description: 

     • Stay current with the latest advancements in asphalt materials and technologies in this informative session focused on warm mix asphalt (WMA), highly modified (Hi-Mod) asphalt, updated APWA specs and  reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). Attendees will gain valuable insights into performance outcomes, implementation challenges, and lessons learned from real-world applications, specific to the state of Utah.  The session will highlight recent research, field data, and agency experiences to help professionals apply these innovations effectively and sustainably. A panel of experts will be on hand to answer questions and engage in open discussion with attendees.

   • Target Audience: 

     • This session is designed for engineers, agency staff, contractors, material producers, consultants, and anyone involved in asphalt mix design, specification, or pavement performance evaluation.

2. Asphalt Industry 2026: Trends & Outlook (30-45 min)

   • Presenter: Mike Skinner, Executive Director, Asphalt Pavement Alliance

     • With over 34 years in asphalt pavement engineering and more than a decade in association leadership, Mike Skinner leads the Asphalt Pavement Alliance—a national coalition of NAPA, the Asphalt Institute, and State Asphalt Pavement Associations. A Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) and Certified Association Executive (CAE), Mike brings deep technical expertise and strategic vision to his role, driving national efforts in asphalt education, sustainability, and industry advancement.

   • Course Description: 

     • This session will explore national and regional trends shaping the industry in 2026, including market demand, funding outlooks, sustainability initiatives, emerging technologies, and workforce development. Attendees will gain a strategic perspective on where the industry is heading and how agencies, contractors, and suppliers can adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving infrastructure environment. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of the industry’s most connected leaders.

   • Target Audience: 

     • This session is ideal for contractors, agency personnel, engineers, asphalt producers, suppliers, consultants, and industry leaders looking to stay ahead of market trends and strategic developments in the asphalt sector.

CLOSING GENERAL SESSION (2:30-3:30)

1. Industry Innovations & Technology Advancements (20 min)

   • Rick Johnson, UAPA Executive Director

2. The Road Forward (10 min)

   • Jonas Staker, UAPA President

3. Raffle (All remaining items)

Time to visit vendor booths