44th annual conference · august 12–14, 2026

Conference Agenda

Speakers and session topics for 2026 are being finalized. Block times reflect the current plan and may shift as the program firms up.

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Day One

Kick off with the annual golf tournament and the Chairman's Reception.

9:30 am
Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Golf Scramble
Dogwood Course - Rain or Shine
4:00 - 6:00 pm
Registration
5:30 - 7:00 pm
Chairman's Reception
Sponsored by Parker Towing Company
Evening
Dinner on Your Own
Thursday, August 13, 2026

Day Two

A full day of keynotes, industry panels, the annual business meeting, and the Conference Dinner.

7:30 - 8:30 am
Yellow Creek Port Breakfast
8:30 am
Welcome
Mitch Mays, Robert Dexter, Will Sanders
Administrator TTWDA; Vice Chairman TTWDA; Chairman TTW Council
8:30 - 9:00 am
MARAD Marine Highway Program Grant Update
Mr. Tim Pickering, Mrs. Kristine Gilson
USDOT Maritime Administration
9:00 - 9:20 am
Update from the U.S. Senate
The Honorable Tommy Tuberville
U.S. Senate
9:20 - 9:40 am
Update from the U.S. House of Representatives
The Honorable Robert Aderholt
U.S. House of Representatives
9:40 - 10:00 am
Build Infrastructure Not Paperwork & USACE Update
The Honorable Adam Telle
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works
10:00 - 10:30 am
Break
10:30 - 11:30 am
GeoPolitical Briefing
Major General (Ret.) Ed Vaughan, USAF
SEMPRE AI
11:30 am - 12:00 pm
BargeTender
Mr. Taylor Busch
Owner, BargeTender
12:00 - 12:30 pm
TTW Council Annual Business Meeting
Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Council
12:00 - 1:30 pm
Lunch on Your Own
1:30 - 2:00 pm
Mississippi Legislative Update
The Honorable Briggs Hopson, The Honorable Daniel Sparks, The Honorable Dana McLean
Mississippi State Senate & State House of Representatives
2:00 - 2:30 pm
Fireside Chat with Governor Tate Reeves
The Honorable Tate Reeves
Governor, State of Mississippi
2:30 - 3:00 pm
Break
3:00 - 4:00 pm
Living Lands & Waters
Mr. Chad Pregracke
Founder, Living Lands & Waters
Sponsored by Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourism Association
4:00 - 5:00 pm
Corporate Site Selection & Economic Development
Mr. Mark Williams
President & CEO, Strategic Development Group, Inc.
Sponsored by North Mississippi Industrial Development Association
6:00 - 7:00 pm
Silent Auction & Reception
Sponsored by Steel Dynamics, Inc.
7:00 - 8:30 pm
Conference Dinner
Entertainment: Rik Roberts
Comedian & Barney Fife Impersonator
Sponsored by our Commodore Sponsors
Friday, August 14, 2026

Closing Day

A focused morning of port, federal, and system-wide updates before the conference adjourns.

7:30 - 8:30 am
Yellow Creek Port Breakfast
8:30 - 9:30 am
Mobile District Plans for Fiscal Year 2027
Col. Kelcey Shaw, Mr. Justin Murphree, Mr. Anthony Perkins
Commander USACE Mobile District; Project Engineer TTW; Project Engineer BWT
9:30 - 9:45 am
Break
9:45 - 10:45 am
Nashville District Plans for Fiscal Year 2027
Lt. Col. Guillermo Guandique, Mr. Craig Carrington, Mr. Tim Fudge; Col. Nicholas Melin
Commander USACE Nashville District; Deputy for Project Management; Wilson Lock Update; Commander, USACE Pittsburgh District
10:45 - 11:30 am
Sector Mobile Initiatives
Capt. Mike Vega
Commander, USCG Sector Mobile
11:30 am
44th TTW Conference Adjourned
join us in point clear

Secure Your Seat

Registration includes all three days of programming, meals as listed, the Silent Auction & Reception, the Conference Dinner, and the Grand Hotel booking link.

Register Now