40th Annual
Heartland Operators
Conference

Sponsored by:
Nebraska Wastewater
Operators Committee

July 15-17, 2026

Events Wednesday, July 15, 2026
NWOC Meeting (3:30pm)
Ice Breaker (5:00pm-8pm)
(For All Registrants)

Sessions
Thursday, July 16th: (8:00am - 4:30pm)
Friday, July 17th: (8:00am-11:45pm)

To support this event as a vendor and host a booth, please see the information below and
click on the link to register at the bottom of this page

Holiday Inn
110 Second Avenue - Kearney, NE
Room Block Deadline June 16, 2026

Conference Registration Deadline
July 8, 2026

CONFERENCE AGENDA
Coming Soon!

Attendee Cost:
NWEA Members: $100 (Onsite $110)
Non-Members: $180 (Onsite $190)

Vendors:
Exhibitor Space: $225

The costs of the Wastewater Certification Training is included in the Conference Fee.
Registration for testing is handled separately through NDWEE
(See the Certification Training section below for more information).

NDWEE Education Credits:
Wastewater: TBD Contact Hours
Water Grades 1-4: TBD (sign in required)

Register here by credit card or by check payable to:

Nebraska Water Environment Association

Remit checks to:

Heartland Operators Conference 
Attn: Jamie Bausback 
HDR Engineering, Inc. 
1917 S 67th Street  
Omaha, NE 68106
______________

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS 
 
Holiday Inn  
110 Second Avenue - Kearney, NE   
Phone: 308.237.5971
Rate: $134.95

Conference Agenda
 _________________________________________________________________

Information for Vendors hosting a booth during the Heartland Conference
Wednesday, July 15th, an Ice Breaker Social will be held from 5:00-8:00 PM in the Ballroom for all operators and exhibitors
Raffles will be conducted during breaks in the Exhibitor's Area on Thursday and Friday
There are just 32 spaces available, so register soon. Booths are not designated - all spaces are on a first come first serve basis
Setup begins after 3:00 PM on Wednesday, July 15th
Look for check boxes on this year's registration to sponsor and/or attend the Ice Breaker event and to participate in the golf outing on Thursday 
Sponsors of the Ice Breaker please share your logo with Monte Dakan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to be regonized
 _________________________________________________________________

WASTEWATER CERTIFICATION REFRESHER

July 16, 2026

Kearney Holiday Inn
with Heartland Conference Registration.

Cost: Included in Conference Registration

Please check the box at registration indicating
you plan to participate in the class only if
you intend to attend the class and
will not participate in the regular conference sessions on July 16.

This is a one-day refresher class for the exam.
It is expected attendees have had prior training before class.

SCHEDULE

7:30am - 8:00am Registration & Welcome
8:00am - 5:00pm: Training
5:00pm - Adjourn

CONTACT HOURS

NDWEE: TBD (pending approval)
July: TBD (Pending Approval)

These classes are intended for Municipal Levels 1-2.
Material for Grades 3 and 4 is covered but not comprehensively.

For questions contact:
Ryan Hurst, NWEA Training Chairman
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
402-443-3222

CERTIFICATION EXAM

July 17, 2026

NOTE* There is a Separate Registration with NDWEE!!
This certification exam will be held the Friday after Thursday's refresher.
Please contact Mike McBride at NDWEE for more information on Certification Exam
applications and for information about Certification Exam locations and times.

You must register 30 days in advance with NWDEE.

Mike’s Contact:
402-471-2186
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE NDEQ CERTIFICATION EXAM APPLICATION