Conference sessions are designed for utility employees and management in the fields of mutual aid, customer engagement, energy markets, artificial intelligence, geographic information systems, workplace safety, and current legislative issues. Conference participants typically include municipal utility supervisors personnel, municipal staff, city council representatives and municipal leaders. Veterans of public power and natural gas municipalities as well as those new to the electric and natural gas utility industry will benefit from attending the conference.

The conference is also recommended for utility employees with interests and responsibilities in conference topics and with cross-departmental responsibilities, as well as rising stars and future leaders who would benefit from learning about current industry trends and making connections with the regional public power community.

Vendor Sponsorship Options

Silver - $800
Includes: One exhibit space; company name recognition at event and in conference booklet; company name and contact information included in booklet; one conference registration (programs, breaks, meals, and banquet).

Gold - $1,100
Includes: One exhibit space; company logo highlighted in booklet; company name and contact information included; two conference registrations.

Platinum - $1,500
Includes: One exhibit space; company logo and description (up to 100 words) in booklet; ¼–½ page advertisement; two conference registrations; designation as sponsor of a major hospitality event (Lunch or Social Hour) or one session/break with signage.

Headline - $3,000
Includes: One exhibit space; top billing on signage and promotional materials; company logo and full description in booklet; ½–full page advertisement; up to six conference registrations; exclusive designation as sponsor of the Keynote Address or Banquet & Awards; priority booth placement.

Additional Registration - $200
Includes: Access to all conference programs, breaks, meals, and banquet.

Click here for Vendor Registration to the 2026 NMPP Energy Annual Conference

Garrison Wynn

Author, Consultant and Motivational Speaker

With talents that established him as both a Fortune 500 leader and a professional stand-up comedian, Garrison Wynn, a Certified Speaking Professional, fuses humor, research, and real-world experience to show how anyone can help create a culture of safety. Authentic and relatable, he’s a guy who’s been there—literally: a chemical plant explosion survivor and bestselling author featured in Forbes and Inc. magazines.

For over 25 years, Garrison has delivered keynote presentations to organizations such as Amazon, the National Safety Council, the Governor’s Occupational Safety & Health Conference (GOSH), Chevron, the NFL, and NASA. In his teens, he helped launch the world’s first home video game system (the Magnavox Odyssey). As a young man, he spent six years touring comedy clubs with some of the top names in the business before going on to design industrial safety products still sold in 30 countries today.

A Perspective on Mutual Aid

Jody Tvrdy, Quality Leadership and Safety, Ayars & Ayars

Jodi Tvrdy was in her new job as safety coordinator for Garner Industries in April 2024 just 15 days before a tornado destroyed the warehouse, collapsing the walls as 70 people took shelter inside. Jody will share her experiences from that harrowing event as it pertains to mutual aid efforts.

Jody currently serves at Ayars & Ayars in Lincoln where she works in Quality Leadership and Safety. She has served in Emergency Medical Services for 25 years, a 911 dispatcher and prison guard. Born and raised in Raymond, Neb., Jodi still calls it home, where she lives on an acreage with her fiancé. She is also the proud mother of three grown daughters.

Believe in Safety

Brandon Schroeder, Motivational Safety Speaker

Brandon Schroeder survived a catastrophic workplace accident in 2011—an event that forever changed his life and purpose. As a journeyman electrician turned national safety speaker, Brandon delivers a raw, emotional message about the real cost of shortcuts and the power of personal responsibility.

Through his presentation Believe in Safety, he challenges audiences to reflect, reset, and commit to a culture where safety isn’t optional—it’s personal. His goal? To reach the one person who needs to hear his story before it's too late.

Energy Markets Session

Siobhan O'Connor, Portfolio Manager, The Energy Authority

Siobhan O’Connor is a strategic leader in energy trading and risk management with nearly two decades of experience in the energy sector. Siobhan has held many positions at The Energy Authority (TEA) where she has worked for more than 17 years. She currently serves as a portfolio manager for TEA. She will provide an overview of the current energy markets and the related impacts.
 

Artificial Intelligence Session

Dr. Tim McMahon, Heider College of Business, Creighton University

Tim P. McMahon is an author, educator, and business leader who has founded and grown companies in radio, marketing, and hospitality, driving growth across both multinationals and startups through strategic innovation and genuine engagement with employees and customers.

After a successful business career, he earned a Master's degree from Seton Hall University and a PhD from Gonzaga University. His research on leadership, new media, and organizational communication has been presented at international conferences and published in academic journals. 

He has contributed chapters to the acclaimed Reputation Management by Doorley & Garcia and authored Fostering Employee Buy-in Through Effective Leadership Communication (Routledge, 2021). He has two new books scheduled for publication in 2026, Martech Management: Aligning Marketing Technology with Business Strategy and NIL: The 98% Edge, both from Routledge - Taylor & Francis in London, UK.

McMahon is an Associate Professor of Practice at Creighton University's Heider College of Business and an adjunct professor at NYU in the M.S. in Integrated Marketing Program. He has been an invited lecturer at universities in Europe, Vietnam, China, and India, and advises business leaders on communication, leadership, reputation, and organizational performance.

Tim and his wife Debbie have three adult children and two granddaughters, AJ and Luna.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Pat Hohl, Director of Electric Industry Solutions, Esri

Pat oversees the planning and execution of Esri’s go-to-market strategies in the electric utility industry. He was a pioneer in the use of GIS for electric utilities. He has a broad utility background with more than 35 years in engineering, technology, operations, and executive management. Pat is an accomplished author, consultant, and university professor. 

State Panel Legislative Updates

Joe Kohout, Kissel, Kohout, ES Associates (Nebraska)
Julie Smith, BrownWinick Law Firm (Iowa)
Nicole Means, Colorado Association of Municipal Utilities (Colorado)

Legislative lobbyists from Iowa, Colorado and Nebraska will highlight current happenings of each of their respective state legislatures for 2026.

For any questions, please contact:

Lodging/Registration: adegner@nmppenergy.org 

Program/Content: bdoll@nmppenergy.org