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Dig Safe Leadership Program - NEW
Brand new in 2026! 
This program starts Tuesday and requires attendance all 3 days. 
Built for the people leading crews, organizations, safety programs, and the future of damage prevention. This introductory leadership experience combines practical leadership development with the experience and credibility of Missouri's most trusted voice in damage prevention. 
Complete with graduation, a certificate, and more!
Professional Development Value: $199
Inaugural Summit Rate: $49 
Classes include: Foundations of Safety Leadership, Foremen are the Ultimate Safety Strategy, Psychological Safety, Human and Organizational Performance, and more. Course Descriptions found here: https://mocommonground.org/dig-safe-leadership/

OSHA 10 Construction: For General Construction Crews
BUILD SAFER. WORK SMARTER. Build a stronger safety foundation with OSHA 10-Hour Construction Training, a critical program for anyone working on a construction jobsite and a powerful tool for recognizing hazards and helping prevent incidents before they happen. Provided by MCGA expert safety presenters - this training covers essential OSHA safety topics and practical knowledge workers can take straight to the jobsite. Complete the program, earn your OSHA 10 certification, and receive your certification wallet card by mail—training that stays with you for a lifetime.

OSHA 10 ET & D: For Electrical Transmission & Distribution Workers
The Electrical Transmission and Distribution Partnership comprised of Outside Electrical Contractors, Trade Associations, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), developed this OSHA recognized training course that is tailored toward employees involved with the construction and maintenance of power transmission and distribution systems. This course covers industry specific topics of: Grounding & Bonding, Pre-Job Briefings, Confined & Enclosed Spaces, Rigging, Trenching & Excavation, Intro to OSHA, Electrical Safety, PPE, & Fall Protection. Each participant will receive an OSHA ET&D 10-Hour Card along with additional information regarding industry Best Practices. For more information about the OSHA Electrical Transmission and Distribution Partnership go to: https.powerlinesafety.org.

INDIVIDUAL CLASS OPTIONS

WEDNESDAY 12/9

9AM-10AM  KICKOFF AND DOCUDRAMA

THE LAST WORD
What if the worker who died in a construction accident could come back and tell you exactly what happened – THE TRUTH - and what everyone else got wrong? The Last Word is a powerful live, in-person docudrama that brings a fatal workplace incident to life from the deceased worker’s perspective, exposing the shortcuts, ignored hazards, equipment problems, and “we’ve always done it this way” decisions that can turn a normal workday into a tragedy. This isn’t just another safety presentation - it’s a story designed to make you stop, think, and ask yourself what you would do differently before the next accident happens. This program is brought to you by experts from Springfield City Utilities, Missouri 811, Springfield Fire Department, Cox Health Emergency Medical Services.



Concurrent Sessions Begin: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM – 1 Hour Sessions

TRENCH SMART: The OSHA “Need-to-Know” for Excavation Safety 
What does OSHA really look for when they walk onto a trenching or excavation jobsite? Get the answers directly from OSHA in this practical, no-nonsense session focused on the rules, hazards, and compliance issues that matter most in the field. Learn what OSHA expects from contractors and crews, how the Trenching & Excavation Emphasis Program affects enforcement, where common compliance failures lead to citations and penalties, and—most importantly—how to get trenching operations right before OSHA ever arrives. This is a unique opportunity for business owners, supervisors, and laborers to hear directly from OSHA personnel and take home practical knowledge that can make a difference on the very next excavation job.

Lost in Translation? Leading a Multilingual Workforce
When language gets in the way, a simple instruction can turn into a safety risk, a costly mistake, or a frustrated crew. Join safety expert Eduardo Madrid of the Crane Agency for a fast-paced, practical session packed with real-world techniques to communicate clearly, verify understanding, and build stronger connections with employees who speak limited English—so everyone knows what to do, how to do it, and how to do it safely.

2026 Vac Ex Rodeo Mandatory Competitor Meeting – Center Hall Classroom 3
This is a mandatory competition meeting for all competitors and volunteers. Center hall Classroom 3. Attendance is mandatory, and competitors that do not attend will not be allowed to compete.

Shield Smart: The Details of Trench Protection 
This session takes a practical, field-focused look at the critical details crews can overlook when selecting and using trench protective systems—from soil classification and tabulated data to system selection, configuration, and training. Led by Jeff Hughes of United Rentals Trench Safety, a highly experienced trench safety professional and engaging presenter, this session will turn technical requirements into practical decisions supervisors and crews can confidently apply in the field. Whether you work in a trench every day or supervise those who do, you’ll leave with a better understanding of the details that can make the difference between simply having trench protection and having the right protection for the job.

Digging Safely with DATA
Every dig has risks—but the data can help you see where those risks are coming from. Join Sam Hall with the Common Ground Alliance and Alan Meyer of Spire to discuss how the Common Ground Alliance DIRT Report can be used to help excavating contractors, horizontal drilling crews, utilities, and water districts turn real-world damage data into focused training, toolbox talks, stronger safe-digging messages, and practical safety policies. Walk away with a better understanding of where utility damage is happening, why it matters, and how to use DIRT data to help your crews dig smarter and prevent damages.

POWER UP YOUR SAFETY: Working Around Electric Power – (this class is offered again on Thursday)
Electric power doesn’t have to be in contact with you to hurt you—overhead lines, buried utilities, and the space around them can create serious hazards for construction crews. Join the experts from Evergy for this live, in-person session covering the real-world hazards of working around electric distribution, including how to recognize danger, maintain safe clearances, work safely around buried power, and prevent the mistakes that can turn a routine job into a life-changing event. If your crew works around power, this is a session you cannot afford to miss.


11:30 AM – 1:00 PM – LUNCH BREAK & EXHIBITOR OPPORTUNITIES.
Make sure to drop by & see the exhibitors. Tell ‘em thanks. 
They’re why YOU can receive training at the Summit for NO COST.


Missouri LICA EXCAVATOR RODEO BEGINS @ 11:30am in The Wilson Logistics Arena
Think you’ve got skills? Prove it at the 2026 Missouri Land Improvement Contractors Association Excavator Rodeo! Test your precision, timing, and control as you maneuver through challenging tasks under pressure. Climb in, show off your skills, and chase the cash — the Summit’s where the best operators earn bragging rights and big bucks.

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM  Concurrent Sessions continue

Drill Smart. Drill Safe. Go Home. 
Horizontal directional drilling can turn costly in a hurry when safety practices are overlooked. Join directional drilling expert Scott Fletcher of Excel Utility Contractors for a practical, field-focused session on proven safety practices, methods, and habits that every HDD crew should use—every job, every bore, every time. If you’re in the HDD business, this is a session you don’t want to miss!

Roll Easy: Fleet Safety Roundtable
Join the experts from Acuity, One Digital Agency, MEM, and Emery Sapp and Sons to discuss telematics, general fleet safety, maintenance, and how they’re all important to compliance and crash prevention. This fast-paced session covers practical fleet management strategies to improve driver safety, prevent crashes, control vehicle and trailer risks, and keep your fleet compliant with applicable requirements. Walk away with real-world practices you can put to work immediately to build safer drivers, better-managed vehicles, and a fleet that gets the job done without a crash.

Missouri 811: Don’t Let the Details Get Buried! 
The 811 process is more than simply making the call - and the details matter when you’re putting crews and underground utilities at risk. Missouri 811’s utility and excavation safety experts will bring you up to speed on important requirements, common oversights, and practical reminders that excavation, trenching, HDD, and cable-plowing contractors can be put to work immediately.

EXCAVATION COMPETENT PERSON BEGINS: KNOW THE TRENCH. CONTROL THE RISK
Learn from expert trainer Brian Smith of JE Dunn as he breaks down the hazards, OSHA requirements, and protective measures every employee on an excavation or working in a trench needs to know. This practical session focuses on recognizing changing conditions, preventing trench collapses, and understanding the competent person’s responsibility to inspect, evaluate, and stop the operation when an unsafe hazard is discovered. If you’re responsible for keeping excavation crews safe, this is the training that can make the difference between recognizing a hazard—and preventing a tragedy.

2026 VAC X RODEO BEGINS @ the GRANDSTANDS — BIG MACHINES. BIGGER ATTITUDE
Get ready to BRING THE NOISE! The 2026 VAC X Rodeo rolls into the Grandstands at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds at 1:00 PM on December 9, bringing the biggest, baddest hydroexcavators on the PLANET together to run what they brought, dig like crazy, and battle it out for bragging rights! This one-of-a-kind hydrovac showdown is part competition, part spectacle, and 100% awesome—while showing exactly why hydroexcavation is a game-changer for safely exposing utilities and preventing damage underground. Come watch the machines go full throttle, cheer on the crews, and see just how FAST a hydrovac can DIG!


Under Pressure: Safe Digging Around Natural Gas. Shuttle over to the Fulbright Natural Gas Training Center (this class is offered twice)
See the hazard. Feel the heat. Learn how to dig safely around natural gas. This unique outdoor, hands-on session at Springfield City Utilities’ Fulbright Training Facility will feature live natural gas fire demonstrations, proper digging techniques, vacuum excavation demonstrations, and real-world examples of how to safely work around buried gas lines. Utility locate issues and damage-prevention practices will also be covered, giving contractors, supervisors, and crews an opportunity to see firsthand what can happen when underground natural gas hazards are not identified and respected. BUSES BEGIN LOADING AT 12:30 PM at the E-Plex entrance. It’s a 3-minute ride to the Fulbright Center.


Concurrent Sessions 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM.

Every Job. Every Time. Every Rule: Lineman Safety Review
We’re going back to the basics – because the basics keep you alive. This practical refresher brings linemen back to the critical safety rules, zero-tolerance practices, and fundamentals that must be done right on every overhead power job - whether you work for a municipality, electric cooperative, or private line contractor. We’ll review the key safety practices that protect line crews every day, reinforce the habits that cannot be skipped, and make sure everyone goes home safe after every job. This session is provided by the experts at Midwest Utility Lineman Training and Evergy, this class is taught by the best – for the best.

Damage Investigations: What Went Wrong?
A utility strike can happen in seconds—but the consequences can last for months, costing lives, damaging infrastructure, shutting down projects, and creating major liability. Scott Fletcher with Excel Utility Contractors will break down real-world utility damage investigations, reveal the critical warning signs and damage-prevention practices that could have prevented the strike, and show what to look for when determining exactly what went wrong. Built for utilities, municipalities, excavators, and construction crews, this high-impact session will give you the tools to investigate utility damage, learn from every incident, and keep the next excavation from becoming the next headline.

Ticketing 101: Better Tickets. Better Locates. Safer Jobs.
Learn from the “Call Before You Dig” experts at One Call Concepts, Inc. how to use Internet ticketing to create accurate, detailed, and complete 811 requests that give locators the information they need. This practical session will show contractors and crews how to make the ticketing process faster, more efficient, and more accurate - while reducing missed information, delays, and preventable problems in the field.

THURSDAY 12/10

8AM-9:30AM Concurrent Sessions

WORK ZONE READY: Flagger Training Program
Get road-ready with work zone safety experts from the Associated General Contractors of Missouri as they show you how to correctly set up and work safely in the right-of-way - from rural roads to busy urban highways with traffic moving just feet away. Learn the practical skills that help protect your crew, control traffic, and prevent work zone incidents while covering the requirements of an authorized work zone flagger course. Successfully complete the examination and you’ll earn your flagger certification - making this a must-attend session for anyone working around moving traffic.

LOCATE LIKE A PRO: Accuracy Starts Here
Learn from the BEST! Utility locating experts Travis Beran and Jeff Trowbridge of Subsurface Solutions will share the proven techniques, field-tested best practices, and protocols professional locators use to put accurate marks directly over the target—every time. Bring your locator, bring your toughest questions, and get ready for a highly practical session focused on improving accuracy, consistency, and the quality of every locate you perform.

Potential Missouri 811 Operating Committee Meeting

Find It Fast and NOW: GIS Mapping for Utilities 
Are your paper maps working? Are your locates accurate? This session shows utilities, municipalities, and water districts how GIS mapping programs can help you quickly and accurately locate everything from valves & hydrants to mains, fittings, and repairs - and put that information at your crews’ fingertips. Join Travis Beran with Subsurface Solutions to learn where to start, what tools and technology you need, and how accurate maps can make excavation, emergency response, and everyday maintenance faster, easier, and less expensive.

CONFINED SPACE COMPETENT PERSON: KNOW THE SPACE. CONTROL THE RISK.
Confined spaces can become deadly in seconds, making this critical training for municipal water and sewer crews, utility contractors, supervisors, and laborers who build or maintain utility systems. Join the experts from Missouri Valley JATC to learn how to recognize confined space hazards, understand compliance requirements, establish effective protective measures, and prepare for rescue before someone enters the space. From manholes and wet wells to vaults and other utility spaces, this session gives your team the knowledge to identify the danger, control the risk, and get the job done safely.

POWER UP YOUR SAFETY: Working Around Electric Power (again)

Under Pressure: Safe Digging Around Natural Gas (again)



10AM-11:30AM Concurrent Sessions

Dig Smarter: Hydro Excavation for Safer Utility Exposure
Join Travis Taylor and Nick Mitchell from Alpha Hydrovac to learn how vacuum excavation gives utilities, excavators, and water districts a safer way to expose buried utilities. Pressurized water and powerful vacuum systems are MUCH SAFER than backhoe teeth and shovels that can damage underground infrastructure. Learn how vacuum excavation can be used to daylight utilities, create precise potholes, improve visibility around crossings, and reduce the risk of costly utility strikes. See a hydro excavation truck in action and learn how to plan, prepare, and put Vac-Ex to work on your next jobsite. Class starts in Classroom 3 then goes outside for a live demo.

UP, OVER & OUT OF TROUBLE: BUCKET TRUCK SAFETY
Stay safe when the bucket takes you up! Drew Batty from Buckingham and Whitney Heflin of Black & McDonald bring hands-on experience to this high-impact session covering fall prevention, emergency rescue procedures, safe driving, and the serious hazards of working around energized power lines. Whether you’re a tree trimmer, utility crew, municipality, or electric cooperative, you’ll leave with practical skills and proven safety practices you can put to work the very next time you climb into a bucket truck. Held in the WILSON LOGISTICS ARENA.

Walk It Before You Work It: Pre-Excavation Damage Prevention Surveys
Join the utility safety experts Laura Wilson and Corry Adams with Utilisource to discuss how to systematically walk and survey a jobsite before excavation begins - identifying main lines, drops, services, and private utilities that may not be covered by the 811 system. Content includes recognizing when a locate is incorrect, when marks need to be refreshed, and how to address “no response” situations. Learn practical strategies for jobsite communication, utility coordination, documentation, and photography that help turn a pre-excavation survey into one of your crew’s most effective tools for preventing utility damage.


11:30 AM – 12:30 PM – Closing Ceremony and Door Prizes @ The Wilson Logistics Arena


OSHA Classes Continue Until Completed: 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM (lunch provided)