WAPA’s 64th Annual Conference and Business Meeting

WAPA’s 64th Annual Conference & Business meeting was held November 28 – 29, 2023 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells.

Thank you to all attendees, presenters and sponsors who made the event a success. We could not have done it without your enthusiasm and dedication to advancing asphalt pavements in Wisconsin.

Attendees may claim up to 7.5 Professional Development Hours for attending. Download the PDH Certificate here.


Document Requirements

Per Kalahari Resorts policy, completed Letters of Authorization forms, Tax Exemption forms, and Purchase Orders may not be submitted at the hotel check-in. These forms should be submitted no later than 7 days in advance to dellscallcenterfax@kalahariresorts.com or faxed to 608-254-6116. The resort highly suggests that government employees submit these forms at least two weeks before hotel check-in. Failure to follow this procedure may result in full room and tax charges to the attendees on their personal cards.

Read the full policy.

Agenda

Our general session lineup for the 2023 conference brought together decision-makers, practitioners and experts to  discuss technology, policy and funding at the state and national levels. Exhibitors shared the latest industry innovations, and we again offered our popular technical sessions.

In addition, we again offered our popular technical sessions, including certificates for professional development hours.

Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Registration from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
General Sessions – All Attendees
9:00-9:25Welcome and Opening Comments
TBD
9:25-9:50WisDOT Update
Craig Thompson, Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary
9:50-10:40NAPA Update
Richard Willis, National Asphalt Pavement Association VP Engineering, Research and Technology
10:40-11:00Break
11:00-12:00Keynote Speaker
Aaron Witt, “Chief Dirt Nerd” and CEO of BuildWitt
12:00-1:00Awards and Scholarship Luncheon
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
1:30-2:30Session 1:
  • Asphalt Binder Modification
  • BTS Update
  • Milling Best Practices
  • EPDs 2.0
2:30-2:45Break
2:45-3:45Session 2:
  • Ethics
  • AASHTOWare Rollout
  • Milling Best Practices (second offering)
  • HMA Comparisons of the Midwest
3:45-4:00Break
4:00-5:00Session 3:
  • Asphalt Binder Modification (second offering)
  • BTS Update (second offering)
  • AASHTOWare Rollout (second offering)
Evening Activities
5:00-6:00Reception
6:00-7:00Dinner
7:00Hospitality Suite
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Registration from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
General Sessions – All Attendees
7:30-8:30Breakfast
8:30-8:40Opening Remarks
Carl Johnson, WAPA President, Stark Pavement Corporation Vice President
8:40-9:15NRRA Update
Ben Worel, MnROAD Operations Engineer and National Road Research Executive Director
9:15-9:45Asphalt Basics – 75 Years of Evolution
Mike Anderson, Asphalt Institute Director of Research and Laboratory Services
9:45-10:00Break
10:00-10:45WisDOT E-Ticketing Program
James Bender, Innovation & Technology Section Manager DTSD
Erik Lyngdal, BTS Chief Materials and Pavement Engineer
Brandon Lamers, WisDOT Bureau of Project Development Deputy Director
10:45-11:30WisDOT use of OnStation
James Bender, Innovation & Technology Section Manager DTSD
Brandon Lamers, WisDOT Bureau of Project Development Deputy Director
11:30-12:00Wrap-Up and Adjournment
Jacob Mrugacz, Incoming WAPA President, Rock Road Companies President