Marriott Shoals
800 Cox Creek Parkway, South
Florence, AL 35630

<Click here to make your reservations>
TVPPA room rate: $105

256.246.3600 or 1.800.593.6450

IMPORTANT: The hotel is holding a block of rooms for TVPPA attendees until Aug. 30. However, the room block could sell out prior to Aug. 30, so early reservations are encouraged. Reservation requests received after Aug. 30 will be confirmed on a rate- and space-available basis.

NOTE: If the TVPPA room block is sold out when you try to make reservations, ask TVPPA to place you on our waiting list. If you need to CANCEL a reservation, do so through TVPPA instead of the hotel. We will match canceled rooms with those in need. Call 423.648.2466 or e-mail conferences@tvppa.com.

Wednesday, Sept. 24

5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Welcome Reception

Video Surveillance Applications For Utilities
Wouldn't you love to catch a copper thief on tape? How about a video system that sends text messages and e-mails when motion is detected? Imagine having an IP address that allows you to access your camera, and even tilt, pan and zoom the camera remotely? T.J. Chambers, a 22-year Atlanta Police Officer and founder of Pug Works Custom Cameras, Inc., will bring us up to date on the latest video surveillance technology and how other utilities are using it.

Remembering Joe: A Widow's Perspective
A young, stay-at-home mother of an active five-year-old son received the phone call every lineman’s wife prays will never come. There had been an accident involving her husband. Months later Kristi Cunningham wanted to wake up utility employees to what can happen when a worker cuts corners. She summoned the courage to videotape her story about the accident and life as a young widow with a small son. This video will be shown, a copy given to each attendee, and Kristi will be present to answer questions.

Developing A Response Plan For Serious Incidents
After his 19-year-old son, Patrick, suffocated in a 1993 industrial grain silo accident, Ron Hayes quit his job as a medical x-ray technician to establish The FIGHT Project, (“Families in Grief Hold Together”). The group helps families cope with workplace-related injuries and deaths. Employers don’t always respond appropriately when a serious incident occurs on the job. Ron has testified before several Congressional committees and serves as a special adviser to OSHA.

Update On Safety Regulations Affecting Utilities
Many federal safety regulations are directly applicable to the utility industry. As Association Counsel of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), Jonathan Glazier follows these regulations on behalf of utilities across the country. He’ll update us on the status of the most recent issues and those on the horizon. Come prepared with questions for this lively give-and-take program.

Safety Round Table
This is always a popular session in which attendees can bring up any utility safety-related question or problem they’re facing and receive the group’s collective experience and wisdom. Jon Glazier will be available as a resource for regulations-related topics. Take advantage of this opportunity to receive assistance from your peers.

What You Don't Know About Spiders & Snakes
You don’t have to LIKE spiders and snakes, but it’s good to know which types are venomous, their usual habitats, how to avoid being bitten, and what to do if you are. Jeff Hohman, biologist with East Kentucky Power Cooperative in Winchester, KY, will educate us, and debunk some myths and legends. Jeff will even touch on dangerous plants, such as toads and poison ivy. Attendees will also be given a poster that shows snakes commonly found in this region.

Analysis of a Potentially Fatal Accident
On a morning in January 2007 two Albertville, AL, Utilities Board workers were replacing a utility pole that had been broken in an earlier traffic accident. At some point an electrical flashover from a nearby overhead energized conductor traveled down the pole to ground level. Both employees received an electrical shock that, fortunately, was non-lethal. Michael Marsh, foreman onsite at the time of the accident, will relate how the accident happened, an analysis in which TVPPA assisted, and resulting modifications in Albertville’s practices and procedures.

“Safety Squirrel” Educational Program
In 2005 Huntsville, AL, Utilities began its “Safety Squirrel” program, designed to educate area school children about safety issues related to its electric, gas and water services. At the program’s conclusion, children take a quiz in hopes of qualifying for a “Safety Hero License.” Last summer one of these safety heroes, using knowledge gained from the Safety Squirrel program, saved her three-year-old cousin from drowning. Linda Bowen, the utility’s Community Relations Specialist, will communicate how the program was developed, various educational tools it uses and the results to date.

Your Sixth Sense
Change results in stress, which is harmful to your health and hardens the attitudes. Dr. Dale Henry believes your sense of humor can be a “sixth sense” in overcoming stress. He’s the founder and president of Your Best Unlimited, based in Kingston, TN. Dr. Dale speaks to more than 100,000 professionals a year, including most companies in Fortune’s top 50 companies. Although he believes in the importance of laughter, Dr. Dale’s brand of “edutainment” always delivers a strong message packed with useful tools.