2026 NAA Great Plains Winter Conference

January 20-21, 2026

Embassy Suites | Lincoln, NE

Tuesday, February 20, 2026

• 7:00 AM - Registration

• 8:05-9:00 AM - Keynote: Aerial Rescue: How to Be Better Prepared for the Unexpected - Gary J. Kohler

• 9:15 - 10:15 AM - Tree Selection: Getting it Right From the Start - Dr. Bert Cregg

• 9:15-10:15 AM - Mentoring the Next Generation - Juan Contreras

• 10:15-10:45 AM - Break with Exhibitors

• 10:45-11:45 AM - Herbicide Damage: A Case Study - Philip Pierce

• 10:45-11:45 AM - Branching Out: Building the Perfect Team - Korey Conry

• 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM - NAA Annual Business Meeting & Lunch

• 1:00-5:00 PM - NAA Certification Exam

• 1:00-2:00 PM - Quit Stressing Me Out! Dealing with Abiotic Tree Problems - Dr. Bert Cregg

• 1:00-2:00 PM - Build a $1 Million Business Without Answering the Phone - Craig Bachmann

• 2:00-2:30 PM - Break with Exhibitors

• 2:30-3:30 PM - Twenty Feet in the Life or Death of a Tree - Ronald Zillmer

• 2:30 - 3:30 PM - Proactive & Reactive Tree Risk Management in Extreme Weather Events - Graham Herbst & Mike Weikhorst

• 3:45-4:45 PM - What’s Your Why?! How to Get the Most Out of Yourself and Your Team in 2026 - Korey Lofy

• 4:45-5:15 PM - Break with Exhibitors

• 5:15-6:15 PM - Live Auction Begins & Social Reception

• 6:00 PM - Dinner Begins

Wednesday, February 21, 2026

• 7:00 AM - Registration

• 8:05-9:05 AM - Aerial Rescue: Steps to Remember-Prevent Becoming a Second Victim - Gary J. Kohler

• 9:15-10:15 AM - 101 Ways to Kill a Tree - Scott Carlson

• 10:15-10:45 AM - Break with Exhibitors

• 10:45-11:45 AM - Twenty Feet in the Life or Death of a Tree - Ronald Zillmer

• 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM - Lunch & Exhibit Hall Open

• 1:00-2:00 PM - Urban Forestry in Hong Kong - Graham Herbst

• 1:00-2:00 PM - Zafety: What ANSI Z133 is and What it is Not - Don Blair

• 2:00-2:30 PM - Break with Exhibitors

• 2:30-3:30 PM - Utility Storm Work-Unloading Wires Under Tension a Teaspoon at a Time - Wes Tregilgas

• 3:30 PM - Closing Remarks