Safety and loss prevention professionals from electric cooperatives and public power districts will gather in Kansas City, Missouri, April 30-May 3 for NRECA’s Safety Leadership Summit to network and learn about best practices in safety improvements.

Starting this year, with the support of Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange, the summit will become an annual event instead of biennial.

This year’s programming will include training to reduce the risks of injuries and help participants reinforce a culture of safety in the workplace and improve service for members.

“We’ve put together a program featuring speakers familiar with the operational challenges utilities and service providers confront regularly,” says Perron Nicholas, NRECA senior manager of educational programs. “Attendees can look forward to a wide range of topics related to safety strategies such as establishing partnerships, enhancing teamwork, applying technology and innovations and improving communication. The speakers will be both entertaining and informative, providing practical information participants can harness to enhance their safety leadership skills.”

Speaker Highlights

This year, there will be four general session speakers. On May 1, opening keynote speaker Dan Heath will discuss techniques for identifying challenges and crafting solutions before problems occur. Heath and his brother, Chip, have co-authored several bestsellers on decisive thinking.

Four-time All Pro linebacker and retired Denver Bronco Karl Mecklenburg will be the May 1 lunchtime speaker. He will discuss the value of teamwork and how consistent excellence as a team and as an individual doesn’t happen by accident. He will also talk about his keys to success learned during his 12 seasons in the NFL: teamwork, courage, dedication, desire, honesty and forgiveness, and goal setting.

Retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. John Foley will address the third general session on May 2. The former Blue Angels lead solo pilot, author and expert on high-performance teams will explain how operational excellence requires a process and a mindset conducive to repeatable and transferable high performance.

On May 3, another NFL great will take the stage. Retired quarterback for the former Washington Redskins (now Commanders) Joe Theismann will talk about his “Game Plan for Success,” which draws parallels between victory in football and in business.

Other Conference Details

The conference includes 34 breakouts and 24 Safety Improvement Talks—half-hour sessions featuring seasoned safety professionals from co-ops and PPDs across the country.

Preconference workshops on April 30 include sessions on strengthening communication skills to help crew leaders and supervisors tailor messaging to fit the learning styles of workers at various stages of their careers.