The 2027 Quality Conference will take place on January 7-8, 2027 at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock.
Important Information
Hotel Reservations: The Embassy Suites is located at 11301 Financial Centre Pkwy. in Little Rock. CLICK HERE to make reservations or call 1-800-EMBASSY. Mention you are with the AR Asphalt Pavement Association in order to get the special room rate. Room block will be held until December 12, 2026.
Vendor Information: VENDORS – when you arrive, please make sure you set up at the correct table (it will have your name on it). Exhibit spaces include 6-foot tabletops for product display. Booths are first-come, first-served. Floor plan will not be changed after booth is assigned. Let the AAPA office know as soon as possible if you will need electricity.
Refunds/No-Shows: Cancellations received in writing before December 28th will be considered for a refund. “No shows” won’t be refunded; substitutions are allowed.
Lunches: Those who register after December 28 cannot be guaranteed a lunch on Thursday, 1/7.
Schedule
Speakers and schedule are subject to change. All sessions in Rock Island III-VII.
Thursday, January 7
11:30 AM-1:15 PM – LUNCH (Guest Speaker: Jared Wiley, ARDOT Director; SAFE Award & Perpetual Pavement Award Presentations)
1:15-1:20 PM – Welcome (Denis Guillette, AAPA Chairman)
1:20-2:00 PM – 2027 Specification Updates & Overlay Design: When to Dig Deeper (Paul Tinsley, ARDOT)
2:00-2:30 PM – Paver Operations: Back to Basics (Adam Howard, Riggs CAT)
2:30-2:45 PM – BREAK
2:45-3:15 PM – HiMod Project: Lessons Learned (Dylan Eubanks/Daryl Masingale, Delta; Jamie Hill, Ergon)
3:15-4:00 PM – Asphalt Binder Technical Issues Shaping Future Specifications & Implementation (Mike Anderson, Asphalt Institute Foundation)
4:00-5:30 PM – RECEPTION (ROCK ISLAND I-II)
Friday, January 8
8:00-8:05 AM – Welcome (Denis Guillette, AAPA Chairman)
8:05-8:35 AM – Conflict Resolution & Best Practices (Denis Guillette, Redstone; Chad Adams, ARDOT)
8:35-8:45 AM – Master of Science in Pavement Technology: MSPT (Dr. Andrew Braham, U of A)
8:45-9:15 AM – LIDAR & Drones (Jake Norris, ARDOT Bridge Management Section Head and others)
9:15-10:00 AM – Roadway Management Technology (Candler McCollum)
10:00-10:15 AM – BREAK
10:15-10:45 AM – Is AI a Fad or a Force in Our Industry? (Amlan Mukherjee, NAPA)
10:45-11:45 AM – Internal Traffic Control Plan (Mandy Kustra, Safety Director with AJAX Paving)
11:45 AM-12:00 PM – Conference Wrap-Up (Chad Adams, ARDOT)
6.00 PDH Available
Check out photos from the 2026 Conference below.
