2025 MN Asphalt Conference Agenda

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Accept Deny [![](/global_graphics/icons/print_bw.gif)Print Page](# "Print Page") | [Sign In](/login.aspx) | [Join MAPA](/general/register_start.asp) [![](/graphics/mapa-logo.png)](/) Toggle navigationMENU * [About](/about_mapa) + [About MAPA](/about_mapa) + [About Asphalt](/about_asphalt) + [Enews](/page/newsletters) + [Awards](/page/awards) + [Scholarship](/page/scholarship) + [Legislative](/page/Legislative2025) + [Staff](/page/staff) * [Members](#) + [Join MAPA](/membership) - [Contractor/Producers](/page/membership-contractor) - [Associate Members](/page/membership-associate) - [Commercial/Residential Pavers](/page/commercial-residential-paving) + [Board/Committees](/page/getinvolved) + [Directory](/directory) + [Advertising](/page/advertising) + [Women of Asphalt](/page/women-of-asphalt) * [Resources](#) + [MAPA EPD Grant Program](/page/MNEPD) + [Find-a-Paver Directory](/search/custom.asp?id=6303) + [Cold Weather Paving Resources](/page/cold-weather-paving-resources) + [Youturn Health](/page/resources_youturn) + [Engineering](/resources_engineering) + [Economics](/resources_economics) + [Environment](/resources_environment) - [Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)](/resource/resmgr/files/epds-2023.pdf) - [Hot Mix Asphalt Compliance Calendar](https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/p-sbap5-05.pdf) + [Technical Assistance](/page/TechSupport) + [Links](/links) * [Events](#) + [Conference](#) - [Registration](/page/conference) - [Sponsorship](/page/conference-sponsorship) + [Regional Meetings](/events/event_list.asp?show=&group=&start=5%2F16%2F2024&end=&view=&cid=25098) + [Full Calendar](/events/event_list.asp) * [Training](#) + [Webinars](/page/Webinars-n) + [Environmental Training](/page/environmental-training) + [Flagger Train the Trainer](/events/event_list.asp?show=&group=&start=4%2F25%2F2019&end=&view=&cid=19817) + [Paving and Compaction Training](/event/2023-paving-compaction-training) + [Quality Paving Certificate](/page/certificate) | | | | --- | --- | | | Edit This Favorite | | Name: | | | Category: | | | Share: | Yes No, Keep Private | | | | | | | --- | | Minnesota Asphalt Conference 2025 – Agenda | | | | --- | | 2025 MN Asphalt Conference * [Conference Central](/page/conference) * [Register](/events/register.aspx?id=1992852) * [PDF Registration](/resource/resmgr/conference/2025/conference-registration.pdf) * [Agenda](/page/conference-agenda) * [Speakers](/page/conference-speakers) * [Attendee Resources](/page/attendee-resources) * [Speaker Resources](/page/speaker-resources) * [Sponsor/Exhibitor Opportunities](/page/conference-sponsorship) Agency Track **Agency Track** Industry Track **Industry Track** Technical/Research Track **Technical/Research Track** Leadership and Communication Track **Leadership/Communication Track** *You can view the session descriptions by clicking on the dropdowns below.* **Tuesday, December 9** **7:30 AM – 8:00 AM** **Registration & Breakfast** **8:00 AM – 9:15 AM** **Welcome & Keynote: PAVE-ing Your Way Down the Mighty Mississippi [*Paul Mellor, Success Links*](https://www.asphaltisbest.com/page/conference-speakers#mellor)** Paul MellorA journey down the Mississippi River begins with one paddle stroke. For Paul Mellor, it took another million to reach the Gulf. During this time, he encountered logjams and beaver dams, freighters and gators, inconveniences and injury. His inspirational message is about overcoming adversity, battling the elements, and appreciating beauty along the 2300 miles of America’s most iconic river. It’s a story about Passion, Attentiveness, Versatility, and Endurance. It’s a story about PAVE-ing your way down the Mississippi River. **9:15 AM – 9:30 AM** **Break** **9:30 AM - 10:30 AM** **Breakout Session I** Agency Track**Pavement Preservation Research Implementation/ Truck Station Pavement Preservation Program *Joel Ulring, MnDOT*** *Description coming soon* Industry Track**Where Did the Road Funding Go — and How Climate Policy Is Changing What Comes Next *[Margaret Donahoe, Transportation Alliance](https://www.asphaltisbest.com/page/conference-speakers#donahoe); Marc Culver, City of Brooklyn Park*** *Description coming soon* Technical/Research Track**3D Milling, Rolling Density - Warm Mix and High RAP *[Kyle Hoegh](https://www.asphaltisbest.com/page/conference-speakers#hoegh), MnDOT; Samantha Primus, KGM Contractors; [Jeff Herfindahl, MnDOT](https://www.asphaltisbest.com/page/conference-speakers#herfindahl)*** *Description coming soon* Leadership Track**Unlocking High Performance Team Dynamics *Tom Esch, Esch Consulting*** This session dives into the often-unspoken dynamics that influence team success.We will explore how to recognize and navigate power structures within teams, foster psychological safety across roles, and build cultures where influence is earned—not imposed. Whether you’re leading a team, part of one, or shaping the culture that surrounds them, this session will equip you with actionable tools to harness power dynamics in service of performance and trust. **10:30 AM – 10:45 AM** **Break** **10:45 AM – 11:45 AM** **Breakout Session II** Agency Track**Asphalt Binder Supply: Challenges, Opportunities, and What's Next *Andrew Eicher, Asphalt Materials, Inc.*** *Description coming soon* Industry Track**The State of EPDs and Low Carbon Construction Initiative in MN and the US *Emil Bautista, MnDOT and Abbey Bryduck, MAPA*** *Description coming soon* Technical/Research Track**How to Use AI in your Asphalt Paving and Production Business *[Grant Wollenhaupt, XBE](https://www.asphaltisbest.com/page/conference-speakers#wollenhaupt)*** *Description coming soon* Leadership/Communication Track**How to Respond to a Crisis in Business *Melissa Delay, Tru Perception*** Key takeaways will include: * How to deliver clear, concise messages that prevent misunderstandings and foster mutual respect. * Discover proven methods to defuse tension and maintain control of heated situations. * Develop skills to bring opposing parties together and find win-win solutions that benefit everyone. **11:45 AM – 12:45 PM** **[Women of Asphalt Luncheon](https://www.asphaltisbest.com/event/w-of-a-reception-2025)** **11:45 AM – 12:45 PM** **MNDOT/MAPA and Commercial/Residential Awards Luncheon** **12:45 PM – 1:00 PM** **Break** **1:00 PM – 2:00 PM** **Breakout Session III** Agency Track**Innovative Recycling on Low-Volume Roads: Bottom Ash as Aggregate Replacement *[Dan Schellhammer, Surface Cycle](https://www.asphaltisbest.com/page/conference-speakers#schellhammer); Chris McConn, Otter Tail County; [Beth Keister, Olmsted County](https://www.asphaltisbest.com/page/conference-speakers#keister); Amy Grothaus, Braun Intertec; [Todd Fryzek, Provided Environmental Permitting](https://www.asphaltisbest.com/page/conference-speakers#fryzek); Brad Sullivan, Provided Environmental Permitting*** *Description coming soon* Industry Track**Smart Preservation: Knowing When to Patch, Crack Seal, or Seal Coat and MAPA's Effort to Curtail Scam Pavers *[Jeremy Swenson, Allied Blacktop Co.](https://www.asphaltisbest.com/page/conference-speakers#swenson); Shaun Johnson, J&W Asphalt*** *Description coming soon* Technical/Research Track**Long-Term Asphalt Pavements: Hi- Mod Asphalt: Mix of the Year? Or Just Hype? *Mark Blow, Asphalt Institute; Michael Vrtis, MnDOT*** *Description coming soon* Leadership/Communication Track**Paving a Better Memory *[Paul Mellor, Success Links](https://www.asphaltisbest.com/page/conference-speakers#mellor)*** If there were a magic pill that would improve your memory, would you take it? Fortunately, you don't need to. This interactive session rids your poor memory from forgotten names, misplaced glasses, and statements such as, "I know it's here somewhere," to a mind that’s efficient and reliable. This program dispels the myth that memory can't be improved. It can; easily and effectively. You’ll learn techniques on organizing your thoughts, commanding an audience without notes, remembering names and faces, and overcoming absent-mindedness. When you're skilled in memory, all your other skills get better. You can improve your memory. This program shows you how. **2:00 PM – 2:15 PM** **Break** **2:15 PM – 3:15 PM** **Breakout Session IV** Agency Track**Debunking Asphalt Myths *Mark Blow, Asphalt Institute*** *Description coming soon* Industry Track**Legal Hot Topics: DBE Update, MAPA Amicus Briefs: Haul Roads, Geotechnical Info: When Asphalt Fails: Design Flaws vs. Construction Mistakes *[Mark Becker, Fabyanske](https://www.asphaltisbest.com/page/conference-speakers#becker); [Justin Short, Best and Flanagan](https://www.asphaltisbest.com/page/conference-speakers#short)*** *Description coming soon* Technical/Research Track**Research That You Can Use: MnROAD, NRRA *[Ben Worel, MnDOT, MnROAD](https://www.asphaltisbest.com/page/conference-speakers#worel); Michael Vrtis, MnDOT*** *Description coming soon* Leadership/Communication Track**Email That Works: How to Connect, Convince, and Communicate Better *Melissa Delay, Tru Perception*** During this interactive workshop, you'll learn how to sell more, improve perceptions and get results over email—no matter what situations arise, including: * Dealing with stalled prospects, retaining at-risk accounts, delivering any kind of bad news * Asking for referrals or testimonials & addressing mistakes (yours or your clients) Attendees will also benefit from a Q&A period on real-life challenges as well as tips on delivering messages, such as when to call, make a personal visit or send a letter. **3:15 PM – 5:30 PM** **MAPA Trade Show and Hospitality Reception** **5:30 PM** **Hall of Fame Awards Dinner** **6:00 PM** **Hall of Fame Awards (silent auction closes at 5:30pm)** **7:30 PM** **Live Auction** **Wednesday, December 10** **8:00 AM – 8:30 AM** **Breakfast** **8:30 AM – 9:00 AM** **Welcome & MnDOT Commissioner** *Description coming soon* **9:00 AM – 9:45 AM** **Materials Office Updates *[John Garrity, MnDOT](https://www.asphaltisbest.com/page/conference-speakers#garrity), Terry Beaudry*** *Description coming soon* **9:45 AM – 10:00 AM** **Break** **10:00 AM – 10:45 AM** **MnDOT Office of Civil Rights Updates *[Sean Skibbie, MnDOT](https://www.asphaltisbest.com/page/conference-speakers#skibbie)*** *Description coming soon* **11:00 AM – 11:45 AM** **Updates on DNR Aggregate Mapping and Leasing *Heather Arends, MnDOR and Nick Borchardt, MnDOR*** *Description coming soon* **11:45 AM** **Adjourn** | [Close](#) Sign In [![](/global_graphics/facebook-icon.png) Login with Facebook](https://ws.yourmembership.com/Ams/SocialOAuth/facebook?Continue=%2fAms%2fFinalizeLogin%2ffacebook%3fReturnUrl%3dhttps%253a%252f%252fwww.asphaltisbest.com%252fsocial%252fconnect.aspx%26ClientID%3d108493%26UseReturnUrl%3dTrue)[![](/global_graphics/linkedin-icon.png) Login with LinkedIn](https://ws.yourmembership.com/Ams/SocialOAuth/linkedin?Continue=%2fAms%2fFinalizeLogin%2flinkedin%3fReturnUrl%3dhttps%253a%252f%252fwww.asphaltisbest.com%252fsocial%252fconnect.aspx%26ClientID%3d108493%26UseReturnUrl%3dTrue) OR Remember Me ![](/global_graphics/icons/securesubmit.png "Secured with SSL encryption.") 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