2025 Annual Conference and Tradeshow

Location: DoubleTree Conference Center | Scottsdale Meeting Room

Registration for the Exam can be found at www.isa-arbor.org. Limited space available.

Location: Conference/Boardroom

Location: DoubleTree Ballroom

Location: DoubleTree Ballroom

Speaker: Joe Wheelock

Title: Making a Resilient Community

Description: Trees are increasingly becoming the #1 climate solution for building a resilient community. Bridging The Gap has worked to identify the challenges to planting trees in the urban core of Kansas City. We will share the creative solutions that we have identified, developed and implemented to increase the number of trees we will and have planted throughout the city.

Speaker Bio: Joe Wheelock is the Program Manager for Heartland Tree Alliance, an initiative of Bridging the Gap. With a passion for urban forestry and community engagement, Joe leads efforts to enhance the region’s green infrastructure through tree planting, education, and advocacy. He collaborates with volunteers, partner organizations, and local governments to create resilient communities by empowering residents to take an active role in improving their local environment."

Location: DoubleTree Ballroom
Speaker: Rachel Wilkins - Kansas Department of Agriculture
Title: Invasive Insects of Concern

Description: Invasive insects pose a significant threat to the agricultural and natural resources of Kansas. Early detection and monitoring can prevent these pests or slow their spread into the state. Methods of identification and the biology of several invasive species, such as emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, and spotted lanternfly, will be discussed.

Speaker Bio: Rachel has had a passion for insects since she was very young. She turned that passion into a career when she got her master’s degree in entomology at Kansas State University in 2020. Since then, she’s enjoyed working jobs that focus on invasive species management, including her current position as KDA’s state entomologist.  

Location: Seattle I & II Ballroom

Location: DoubleTree Ballroom
Speaker: Dr. Ryan Klein
Title: The impact of risk perception on decision making - How professionals and the public make judgements regarding tree risk

Description: There is a high degree of uncertainty with regards to how a person’s intuition, previous training, and level of expertise affect the outcome of a tree assessment. Additionally, very little is known as to what extent risk perception and personal bias may influence recommendations, mitigation, and the overall management of our urban forests. Past research has pointed to tree risk assessments being subjective in nature, leaving much of the outcome of the assessment to be influenced by the perceptions of the assessor. Inaccurate assessments can lead to unwarranted tree removals resulting in the loss of tree related benefits as well as the retention of trees that are structurally unsound which can lead to injury, loss of life, damage to property, and possible litigation. Having a better understanding of the driving factors that lead people to make tree related judgments could render assessments that are more accurate and reproducible. The talk delves into the accuracy of the current and most commonly used tree risk assessment methods and the subjective nature of assessments. This session will also include a roundtable discussion about the experiences of industry professionals related to the development of expertise (i.e., training programs, industry standards, and previous training).

Speaker Bio: Dr. Ryan Klein is an Assistant Professor of Arboriculture at the University of Florida. He has 12 years of experience in the nursery and tree care industry. Ryan has received his International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Arborist Certification, Quantified Tree Risk Assessment (QTRA) Certification, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ), and Prescription Pruning Qualification (PPQ). Ryan sits on the Florida Chapter of the ISA Educational Committee and Board of Directors. His research focuses on tree risk assessment and risk perception, arboricultural best management practices, as well as the impacts of natural disasters and climate change on urban tree populations.

Location: Seattle I & II Ballroom

Location: Bowlero

Walk (carefully) across the street for some friendly competition with bowling, food, drinks and fun! Please RSVP on your Registration if you plan to attend!

Location: Sedona Ballroom

8:00 - 9:15 am
Speaker: Kevin Belter
Session Title: Fine Tuning your Oak Wilt Treatments
Course Description: Many responsibilities vie for our time and attention. But when we stop and reflect - we make our best progress in both work and personal goals. In this presentation we stop and reflect on the fundamentals of the what, the when, the how and the why of oak wilt treatments. Along with straight-talk commentary from a fellow applicator, we will review two foundational studies on oak wilt fungicide treatments, the labels of Alamo, Propizol, and Tebuject 16HP, a recent study on injection wounding and the most current ISA Tree Injection BMP book.
Speaker Bio: Kevin, aka “TreeCowboy” is the President of ArborCare and Consulting, a tree care company providing the full spectrum of arborist services within 10 counties of the central Texas hill country. He has a Bachelor of Arts in both Theology and Philosophy from St. Mary’s University. He is a BCMA and member of ASCA and recent graduate of the ASCA Consulting Academy. Kevin was recently invited by the Texas A&M Forest Service director Al Davis to join the Texas Oak Wilt Suppression Program Advisory Board. He is especially passionate about fighting this epidemic disease where it ravages the most beloved and numerous tree family within his region. Kevin has contributed significantly to advancements in knowledge as well as practical management of this disease. He has published on this topic in the International Oak Society Journal. Kevin spends the majority of his time managing this disease by means of fungicide treatment and believes it to be the most rewarding contribution he can make to his fellow Texans, his Creator and the ecosystem he calls home.

9:15 - 9:45 am
Break with Exhibitors

9:45 - 11:00 am
Speaker: Dr. Ryan Klein
Session Title: Matching Trees to Specific Urban Sites Using AI
Course Description: Urban tree commonly suffer from high mortality rates and infrastructure conflicts due to improper species selection. This can lead to a loss of tree benefits and an increase in the associated maintenance costs. The Florida Trees website provides recommendations that assist the user in matching suitable tree species to specific site conditions. The website connects the user to external arboricultural resources where other relevant content can be found. The website had not been updated since 2011 and ceased to function as of January 1, 2021, when Adobe Flash went off-line. As a result, the website needed to be recoded to meet the current technical specifications to function properly. The website houses species specific information (e.g., mature size, flower, etc.) for approximately 1,200 species as well as incorporates both above and below ground site attributes (e.g., soil, size of planting space, etc.) throughout the selection process. Unlike other online tree selection tools, the Florida Trees website has an AI expert system that integrates 100’s of rules and questions which are used to guide the user to a list of suitable species for a given site. Essentially, the expert system is designed to render a list of species that follow the best practice of “right tree, right place”. The expert system that drives the website can be a useful tool for not only the public, but also tree care professionals, landscape architects, and municipal land managers as they make site specific planting decisions. The guidance offered by the website can help to maximize tree benefits and reduce maintenance costs. The talk provides an overview of the project and describes the methods that were used to update the website and bring it back online as well as identifies other potential avenues where AI could be used to assist arboricultural professionals.
Speaker Bio: Dr. Ryan Klein is an Assistant Professor of Arboriculture at the University of Florida. He has 12 years of experience in the nursery and tree care industry. Ryan has received his International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Arborist Certification, Quantified Tree Risk Assessment (QTRA) Certification, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ), and Prescription Pruning Qualification (PPQ). Ryan sits on the Florida Chapter of the ISA Educational Committee and Board of Directors. His research focuses on tree risk assessment and risk perception, arboricultural best management practices, as well as the impacts of natural disasters and climate change on urban tree populations.

11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Speaker: Aaron Dickerson
Session Title: Consulting, Not Just for Retirement Anymore
Course Description: When we think of consulting arborists, we often think about the “seasoned” arborist who is working part-time and has retired from owning their own company or working in sales for 20 years. Many arborists consider consulting a late-in-life career change when they want to slow down from the grind of the changing arboricultural seasons. Consulting is no longer just for retirement!
Arboricultural consulting is growing in demand and becoming a faster paced service for many companies. Many consultants are growing their businesses into a full-time practice after only 15 – 20 years in the industry.
This presentation is going to provide some insight to the different disciplines that consulting offers and introduce the attendees to the basics of getting started in their own consulting and at what levels they may want to consider. It will also introduce some of the common mistakes of the new consultants.
Learn how to add consulting to your business and what this service can do to help your business find a new revenue stream.
Speaker Bio: Aaron Dickinson, is a Registered Consulting Arborist® with the American Society of Consulting Arborists, a Board Certified Master Arborist with the ISA and the instructor of Standards for Professional Practice at the ASCA Consulting Academy.
He is the President of Arborcology Consulting located in Apple Valley, MN. Providing Plant Health Care Training for companies in the industry as well as a Consulting Arborist focusing on Tree Risk Assessments, Appraisals and working as an expert witness.
Aaron became a Certified Arborist in 1996 and became a Board Certified Master Arborist in 2005. In 2018 he finished the requirements to become a Registered Consulting Arborist and has applied his years of experience and training to his consulting.

Location: Tucson Meeting Room

8:00 - 9:15 am
Speaker: Ryan Rastok
Session Title: Informed Decision-Making for Ash Tree Management
Course Description:
Speaker Bio:

9:15 - 9:45 am
Break with Exhibitors

9:45 - 11:00 am
Speaker: Jeremiah Sandler & Jack Novak - Tree First Arboriculture

Session Title: What is an ‘Arborist Practitioner’ and What is the ‘Practitoner Model’?

Course Description: While working in this tree industry in the past, we were only ‘caring’ for trees through the lens of productivity. We only cared for trees in a way that made us money and got us home quicker. And that attitude was evident all around us in our coworkers, at the conventions, all of the business methods too. We did not care for trees in the slow and meaningful and deliberate sense of ‘care’. You might say that it is a bit tree-like to take care of trees in that way. And so, that’s what this idea grows towards: a desire to take care of trees in a tree-like way. And this business model that is discussed in this session can help facilitate that. Through this session, we talk about the 'Big Arb' trap, discuss the tools and methods of practitioners, and share a laugh together at some of our progress photos.

11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Speaker: Graham Herbst, National Forest Service
Session Title: Structural Pruning

Location: Kansas City Theater

8:00 - 9:15 am
Speaker: Jason Grossman
Session Title: From Reclamation to Right of Way Steward.
Course Description: Explore Liberty’s journey in transforming its Vegetation Management program from a reclamation mindset to certification as a Right of Way Steward. This session will uncover how Liberty met challenges head-on, from ensuring reliability amid heavy workloads to navigating ice storms, regulatory changes, and the historic EF5 tornado that hit Joplin, MO in 2011. Discover how Liberty innovated beyond conventional industry norms, creating a sustainable, resilience-focused approach that utilized Integrated Vegetation Management to drive costs down while maintaining reliability. Join us for insights on evolving practices for a reliable cost effective and eco-conscious vegetation management program.
Speaker Bio: Jason Grossman (jason.grossman@libertyutilities.com) is the Manager of Vegetation Management for Liberty - Central. He started working in utility forestry in 2006 and enjoys pushing the envelope with technology and ecology. Grossman earned his degree in agricultural science and natural resource management from Oklahoma State University. In his spare time he enjoys fishing, kayaking, bee keeping, gardening, wine making and being silly with his kids.

9:15 - 9:45 am
Break with Exhibitors

9:45 - 10:15 am
Speaker: Phil Swart
Session Title: Smart Growth: Methods for Effective Tree Growth Regulator (TGR) Integration
Course Description: This presentation offers a comprehensive look at Tree Growth Regulators (TGRs) and their role in modern vegetation management. This presentation covers practical approaches to incorporating TGRs, focusing on methods that enhance vegetation control, reduce maintenance cycles, and support ecological balance. Attendees will leave with actionable knowledge on leveraging TGRs to create a more sustainable and cost-effective vegetation management program.
Speaker Bio: Phil Swart is the Director of Business Development & Marketing at ClearWay Industries, where he plays a pivotal role in solving corridor vegetation management challenges through science-based strategies. He is an ISA Certified Arborist, Utility Specialist, and Oak Wilt Qualified Arborist, and currently serves as the Chair of the UAA Professional Development Committee. In 2023, he was honored with the UAA’s Rising Star award.
Phil believes that educational opportunities should be accessible to everyone in utility arboriculture, empowering front-line workers with paths for growth and advancement. He is committed to enhancing the professionalism of the industry, recognizing that its future relies on a collective commitment to creating a better profession.

10:15 am - 11:00 am
Speaker: Phil Swart & Jason Grossman
Session Title: Branching into Brilliance: The ChatGPT / AI Approach to Utility Vegetation Management
Course Description: This presentation is designed to welcome the audience to the basics of large language models (LLMs), like ChatGPT, and their potential to revolutionize various work processes. This presentation breaks down what LLMs are, how they can be used effectively, and highlights real-world examples of how they can streamline everyday tasks. By the end, attendees will gain a clearer understanding of these powerful tools and leave equipped with practical ideas to enhance efficiency in their own workflows.
See Speaker Bios above.

11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Speaker: Robert Vanderhoof
Session Title: Condition Based Vegetation Management Will Require Not Only an upgrade of our Technologies, But also an Upgrade of Our Thinking
Course Description: Technological advances such as LiDAR, high-altitude imagery, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are poised to fundamentally transform our approach to Utility Vegetation Management (UVM). To turn massive data sets into practical business solutions, a deeper understanding of data management’s role in UVM is essential. The ability to work with data—to understand, process, extract value from, and communicate it effectively—will remain a critical skill in the coming decades.

The data-driven approach of Condition-Based Vegetation Management (CBVM) promises greater reliability, reduced fire risk, and more efficient resource use. However, simply adopting new technologies is not enough to realize these benefits. Integrating these technologies into our business processes is necessary to transform the vast amounts of data they generate into actionable intelligence.

Shifting from strictly time-based cycle management to a more proactive, condition-based approach requires viewing vegetation management as asset management. A reliably functioning right-of-way is similar to a reliably functioning piece of hardware, such as an insulator or utility pole, both of which need to be monitored and maintained throughout their life cycles.

A study by NASA and the US Navy found that in 82% of cases, failure rates of both highly engineered aircraft components and simple facility items like hand tools exhibited random failures unrelated to age. This suggests that condition-based maintenance of vegetation can potentially identify early encroachments and prevent catastrophic failures of right-of-way assets.

Unlike time-based cycle maintenance, CBVM addresses the actual risk to utility infrastructure by monitoring vegetation as we monitor infrastructure assets. Vegetation work is more expensive than vegetation monitoring. By monitoring the condition of the utility forest more frequently, utility vegetation managers can potentially control costs by reducing unnecessary vegetation work common in time-based cycle maintenance.

Adopting CBVM represents a forward-thinking approach that combines technological advances with strategic data management to improve the reliability and efficiency of UVM. This approach not only enhances infrastructure reliability and safety but also offers potential cost savings through more targeted and effective maintenance practices.

Moreover, integrating predictive analytics can further enhance CBVM by anticipating potential vegetation-related issues before they become critical, allowing for timely interventions. Collaboration between utilities, contractors, and industry professional organizations will be essential to develop standardized practices and protocols, ensuring the consistent and effective application of CBVM across the industry. Training and development programs for UVM professionals must also evolve to encompass the new skills required for data-driven decision-making, ensuring a workforce capable of leveraging advanced technologies for optimal vegetation management.
Speaker Bio: Winner of the David H Nabi Award for dedication and service, Robert Vanderhoof earned his Ph.D. from the College of Forest Resources at Mississippi State University in 1995. He also holds certifications as an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, a Utility Specialist and is TRAQ qualified. A veteran natural resource manager, Robert spent 15 years as Florida’s deer management program leader during which time he coordinated range management activities across Florida’s seven-million-acre wildlife management area system. In 2004 Robert earned the Florida Chapter of the Wildlife Society’s award for “Extraordinary Vision, Leadership, and Dedication”. From 2008-2023 Robert applied his management experience as a Utility Vegetation Manager for PacifiCorp across Utah, Idaho and Wyoming. He currently teaches Urban and Community Forestry at the University of Wisconsin—Stevens Point and works as a Research & Consulting Subject Matter Expert for ECI Environmental Consultants. Robert also heads up Tall Tree Learning LLC which specializes in preparing students for ISA certification as arborists and Utility Specialists. Winner of the UAA Education Award in 2023, Robert currently serves on the UAA Board of Directors, has written several articles on natural resource management, and routinely speaks on utility vegetation management issues.

12:00 - 1:30 pm
Business Luncheon & Awards Ceremony (DoubleTree Ballroom)

1:30 - 2:30 pm
Speaker: Warren Williams
Session Title: Work positioning for the win!
Course Description:
Speaker Bio: Warren Williams is a Senior Safety Lead at Wright Tree Service responsible for Training the Safety Education and Training Team and skills and leadership training for field management. Warren is a Founding member of North American Training Solutions and the owner of Genesis Training & Tree Care. He has been a Trainer, Operations Manager, Consultant, Sales Arborist, Climber, and Heavy Equipment Operator for several tree care companies since beginning his Arboriculture career in 1991.

2:30 - 3:30 pm
Speaker: Phillip Kelley
Session Title: Rigging and working around utility lines

3:30 - 4:00 pm
Break with Exhibitors

4:00 - 5:00 pm
Speaker: Phillip Kelley
Session Title: How trees respond to rigging and loading

Location: DoubleTree Ballroom

A full meal will be served as you network with attendees and attend the MW-ISA Business Meeting. Awards will take place at the luncheon.

Location: DoubleTree Ballroom

Speaker: Rick Spurgeon, PlantRight

Title: What is a Native? Benefits, misconceptions and challenges of using Native Trees and Plants

Description: The definition of a native plant can vary widely and may include ‘nativars’.  This is an overview of natives from perceived benefits, like ecological support and resilience, to misconceptions, like limited aesthetic appeal for the landscape and having super powers to grow in any situation.  It also includes challenges, like availability of quality natives, and the advantages or disadvantages of nativars in various situations.  Native plants sound like simple idea but can be very complex.  These are some of the things to consider with our wonderful world of natives.

Speaker Bio: Rick, AKA Professor PlantRight, has had a great appreciation for native trees his entire life.  From growing up in the woods, to years spent managing and logging timberlands, to planting a broad variety of trees while City Arborist of Olathe, KS.  He now is working in the nursery production world with the largest B&B grower in North America and is launching a national certification for landscape contractors that is quickly gaining steam.  Rick is a big believer in natives, has helped the City of New York with their program and is working with PlantRight to bring more quality trees, including natives, to the market. Past President of both MWISA and Kansas Arborist Association, he has completed many consulting operations and understands production, installation and use of natives from several points of view.

Location: DoubleTree Ballroom

Speaker: Kevin Belter

Title: The Role of an Arborist in Scientific Research: Two Case Studies

Course Description: In the first part of this talk we will engage in philosophical reflection on what is an arborist and how the arborist fits into and relates to others in the arboricultural industry. The second part of this talk we will briefly review some key historical studies in oak wilt then transition to a forester as well as an arborist who took the initiative to expand our knowledge and protocol in oak wilt management.

Speaker Bio: Kevin, aka “TreeCowboy” is the President of ArborCare and Consulting, a tree care company providing the full spectrum of arborist services within 10 counties of the central Texas hill country. He has a Bachelor of Arts in both Theology and Philosophy from St. Mary’s University. He is a BCMA and member of ASCA and recent graduate of the ASCA Consulting Academy. Kevin was recently invited by the Texas A&M Forest Service Director Al Davis to join the Texas Oak Wilt Suppression Program Advisory Board. He is especially passionate about fighting this epidemic disease where it ravages the most beloved and numerous tree family within his region. Kevin has contributed significantly to advancements in knowledge as well as practical management of this disease. He has published on this topic in the International Oak Society Journal. Kevin spends the majority of his time managing this disease by means of fungicide treatment and believes it to be the most rewarding contribution he can make to his fellow Texans, his Creator and the ecosystem he calls home.

Location: Seattle I & II

Location: DoubleTree Ballroom

Speaker: Dr. Frederic Miller:

Title: Biotic and abiotic maladies affecting our woody plants.  A comprehensive disease update and how climate change may affect our management practices.

Description: In this presentation, we will examine how climate change may affect major pests, and diseases (biotic and abiotic) afflicting our plants.  Particular emphasis will be on new exotic insect pests including the spotted lanternfly (SLF), viburnum leaf beetle, and elm zigzag sawfly.  Disease updates will include needle cast diseases of conifers, stress-related cankers, and abiotic maladies including drought, flooding, de-icing salts, and construction damage.  Practical PHC management practices will be included.

Learning Objectives
1) Attendees will gain a better understanding of new exotic pests including proper identification, pest biology, economic importance, and practical PHC practices

2) Attendees will gain a  better understanding of how weather, causal agents, and hosts play a contribute to disease development of foliage diseases affecting conifers, how stress factors relate to canker-causing diseases, and how abiotic diseases may contribute to plant stress.  Practical PHC practices will be provided

Speaker Bio: Dr. Fredric Miller is a Senior Scientist – Entomology at The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Illinois and currently serves as the Illinois DNR Forest Health specialist. 

 He received his B.S.F. in Forest Management from the University of Missouri, a M.S. in Forest Entomology from the University of Arkansas, and a Ph.D. in Urban Forest Entomology from Iowa State University with a minor in Plant Pathology,

 He is an active member of the Illinois Arborist Association (IAA), National Walnut Council (NWC, and the Illinois Forestry Association (IFA).

 His applied research focuses on forest health issues affecting rural and urban forests, and EAB post invasion population dynamics.

Location: Seattle I & II / Pre-function

Join us for an Mix & Mingle in the Vendor Hall - Drinks and Hors D’uerves will be served. A Silent auction in support of the Tree Fund will be held adjacently.

For the first time - join us for MWISA Trivia Night and Tree ID as some extra activities for the evening social!