2026 Annual Conference and Tradeshow

Location: La Vista Conference Center
Sugarloaf I Meeting Room

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

Location: Manhattan I

Location: Windsor V

Location: Windsor V

Speaker: Dr. Andrew Koeser
Title: Tree Risk Assessment - Perception Vs Reality 

Description: Urban tree risk is frequently assessed through the lens of perception rather than hard data, as the true level of risk is often unknown. These perceptions are shaped by personal experiences, professional training, and individual risk tolerances, which can vary widely across practitioners. As storm-related data accumulates, we gain valuable insights into how our judgments align with actual outcomes—offering a path toward more accurate and objective tree safety assessments.

Speaker Bio:
Andrew Koeser, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Urban Tree and Landscape Management at the University of Florida’s Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. His work bridges applied research and outreach, with a focus on tree risk assessment, urban forest resilience, tree species diversity, and policy. A past recipient of the L.C. Chadwick Award and the Past President of the Florida Chapter of the ISA, Andrew is deeply involved in advancing best practices across the arboriculture profession. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles, led numerous funded research projects, and mentors graduate students working at the intersection of science, policy, and practice

Location: Windsor V

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Location: Windsor I-IV

Sponsored By:

Location: Windsor V

Speaker: Eric North

Title: Growing Hope: Trees and tree care for livable communities

Description: Remaining positive and seeing the value of tree care and urban forestry in a complex world. The resilience of tree care professionals and communities combined with scientific understanding are the key for future urban forests.

Speaker Bio: Dr. Eric North is the program manager of urban forestry at the Arbor Day Foundation and leads the Tree City USA recognition program. He is a former university professor, has served on various state and local tree boards, worked with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) as an Associate Editor of their scientific journal, and served on various ISA committees.

Location: Windsor I - IV

Location: Smash Park - La Vista
https://smashpark.com/la-vista/

Walk (carefully) across the parking lot for some friendly competition with bowling, food, drinks and fun!

Please RSVP on your Registration if you plan to attend!

Click HERE if you’re interested in Sponsoring the Fun Activities - Bowling, Axe Throwing or Pickleball!

Location: Dapper III

8:30 - 9:30 AM:
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9:40 - 10:40 AM:
Speaker: Brian Luedtke
Title: Canopy Conservation - Practical Preservation Practices
Description: Learn about the MN Conservation Arboriculture Research Program at the University of Minnesota - Department of Forest Resources with an in depth discussion of modern tools and techniques for practical tree preservation. Hear stories of success, failure and, cautionary tales. Explore the applications of reduction, subordination, restoration, retrenchment, tipping, topping, and heading. Included union therapy? Decay assessment? Species failure profiles? Experience the difference between science and practice from a research practitioner. Leave confused, but inspired!
Speaker Bio: Brian is the principal investigator of the MN Conservation Arboriculture Research Program at the University of Minnesota - Department of Forest Resources and also the owner of Holistic Tree and Forestry, a tree and forest preservation specialist company. When not climbing trees or cruising forests Brian enjoys dissecting and preserving dead trees using his sawmill.

10:40 - 11:00 AM: Break with Exhibitors

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM:
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Location: Dapper II

8:30 - 9:30 AM:
Speaker: Dr. Stephenson
Title: Emerging Pests of Trees
Description: TBA
Speaker Bio: Dr. Stephenson currently serves as Assistant Professor of Practice in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  His teaching includes Introduction to Plant Diagnostics, Organic Farming and Food Systems, Edible Landscapes, and Horticulture Plant Sciences Laboratory.  His research focuses on evaluation of environmental, economic, and social factors related to food system sustainability. An additional area of interest is the integration of food plants into urban and rural landscapes.  Dr. Stephenson received an M.S. in Entomology, M.S. in Plant Pathology, and Ph.D. in Horticulture from Mississippi State University.  Prior to taking a position at UNL, Dr. Stephenson worked with Mississippi State University Extension for 11 years with a focus on small-scale farms, urban agriculture, and urban forestry.

9:40 - 10:40 AM:
Speaker: Dr. Andrew Koeser
Title: Post Storm Restoration Pruning
Description: After the initial emergency response subsides, attention shifts to evaluating the fate of trees that remain standing. Questions like “How much canopy loss is too much?” and “Which trees are likely to recover?” become central to the decision-making process. This talk will explore these issues in depth, offering a practical roadmap for post-storm restoration pruning to guide arborists and urban foresters toward informed, resilient outcomes.
Speaker Bio: Andrew Koeser, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Urban Tree and Landscape Management at the University of Florida’s Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. His work bridges applied research and outreach, with a focus on tree risk assessment, urban forest resilience, tree species diversity, and policy. A past recipient of the L.C. Chadwick Award and the Past President of the Florida Chapter of the ISA, Andrew is deeply involved in advancing best practices across the arboriculture profession. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles, led numerous funded research projects, and mentors graduate students working at the intersection of science, policy, and practice

10:40 - 11:00 AM - Vendor Break

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM:
Speaker: Kendra Wagner, Rainbow Ecoscience
Title: Wood boring Insects
Description: Invasive insect species pose significant risks to ecosystems, agriculture, and urban environments, with global trade and travel serving as primary drivers of their spread. This talk examines the patterns of invasive insect movement worldwide, emphasizing the factors that increase invasion risk and the limitations of current phytosanitary measures. Within the United States, the discussion highlights how these species establish and spread, including pathways of introduction, secondary dispersal, and the role of human activity. Case studies on key invasive species will illustrate their ecological and economic impacts while underscoring the challenges of managing these pests. Strategies for risk assessment, early detection, and integrated management will be explored, offering actionable insights into mitigating the threats posed by invasive insects.
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Location: Dapper I

Speaker: Wes Tregilgas, Wright Tree Service
Title: Utility Storm Work – Unloading wires under tension a teaspoon at a time.
Description: This session will show videos of the injury disaster potential and lack of control from approaching wires under tension in storm conditions the traditional way and why the practice of “tying the wires down” doesn’t exactly provide safety to the extent needed. New industry approaches to solving these hazards will be shown with methods that are much more predictable, controlled, and proven successful during Hurricane Helene along with sharing some case studies of jobs that went wrong and why.
Speaker Bio: Wes is the Safety, Education and Training Manager for Wright Tree Service and has worked for large investor-owned utilities and vegetation management contractors after operating a residential / commercial arboriculture company he started in 1999. Whether it is chairing ISA tree climbing competitions or leading peer reviews of the US Dept of Energy with NERC practice groups, Wes has found there to be something to learn and share with others from every aspect of Arboriculture. Wes’ favorite tree to climb is Sugar Maple, favorite tree to sit under is Eastern Hemlock, and favorite tree to cut down is the Bradford Pear.

Location: Windsor V

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: Windsor V

Speaker: Ondrej Kolarik, Adbian

Title: Unlocking Insights Through 3D Scanning: Future of AI in Arboriculture

Description: In the past four years, extensive integration of 3D scanning and biomechanic calculations emerged as a crucial tool. By refining tomographic data with precise stem geometry, we’ve uncovered invaluable insights for tree care specialists. This presentation will spotlight this approach’s remarkable value through compelling case studies across nine countries, driving substantial savings by protecting hundreds of trees from felling and over-pruning. Join us to explore the synergy between 3D scanning, AI, and the ever-evolving world of arboriculture. This presentation dives into the evolution of Advanced Biomechanical Analysis, showcasing its innovative approach to assessing tree stability and risks. We explore the seamless integration of 3D scanning technology, photography analysis and artificial intelligence, unraveling how Adbian analyzes tomographic data to evaluate factors crucial for understanding a tree’s response to external forces.

Speaker Bio: Ondrej Kolarik, a graduate in Innovation Management from the Czech Technical University, is the founder and CEO of Adbian. Passionate about blending technology with environmental sustainability, Ondrej has spent the last five years working with a dedicated team of researchers and programmers to develop Adbian. This software tool for consulting arborists leverages 3D scanning and biomechanical analysis to enhance tree stability assessments, helping arborists make better-informed, data-driven decisions. 

Location: Windsor V

Speaker: Sydney Hudzinski-Huber
Title: Are You a Crew Leader or a Crew Boss? The Difference Between Pointing Fingers and Extending a Hand

Course Description: In arboriculture, the best climbers and arborists often get promoted into leadership roles. While the higher pay and new title seem appealing, too often these individuals receive no real training on how to lead. They may have the helmet and the authority—but instead of being leaders, they’re just crew bosses.

The problem doesn’t stop there. Crew members themselves are rarely encouraged to lead in their own way. Many fall into the trap of waiting for orders, ready to respond with that all-too-common phrase: “That’s not my job.”

This presentation will explore what it truly means to lead. You’ll learn the difference between inspiration and manipulation, and how to build your crew members up instead of breaking them down. You’ll discover how to shift from using and exhausting your team to inspiring and improving them—so that everyone grows together.

Speaker Bio: Sydney stumbled into the tree care industry six years ago. She spent the first year working on herself and gaining credentials. After that her true passion showed in mentoring. Quickly she found roles in different organizations helping teach and mentor others in the industry. One of her biggest passions is helping the next generation in arboriculture. Sydney brings a burst of energy and laughs when working with others in any environment. Making the day so much more fun and engaging for everyone. No one wants to be cranky while working hard!  

For work her full-time job is for a municipality in Minneapolis, MN. There she takes care of the urban canopy for the city. She also is an assistant instructor for the Women’s Tree Climbing Workshop®. Volunteering as well with the Minnesota Society of Arboriculture on their Programs and Education Committee and helps instruct at multiple events. As well as working with the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point instructing at their tree climbing class every semester. If not instructing, she will present or attend industry conferences and expositions. If not pursuing any of those passions, she is competing at Tree Climbing Competitions. 

Sydney graduated from the University of Minnesota, Duluth with a B.S. in Biology. During that time, she worked in a plant physiology lab on a research project. Her love for trees and nature goes all the way back when she was a pipsqueak following her dad through the woods. If Sydney is not traveling or tree climbing you can find her on a trail with her seven-year-old English Springer Spaniel, River. They both love hiking, camping, or upland bird hunting. 

Location: Seattle I & II

Location: Windsor V

Speaker: Chris Rippey & Jason Cutler

Title: Mock Deposition for Consulting Arborists

Description: Chris and Jason will present a mock deposition where they will present a scenario an arboricultural consultant being grilled be a coached opposing attorney. The attorney will pick apart the consultant’s arborist report, highlighting its flaws and letting the consultant respond to their criticisms. This exercise will be educational for those who have never been to a deposition and/or had their report critically reviewed.

Speaker Bios:
Jason Cutler, Arbor Cutler; BCMA and ASCA Consulting Academy Graduate

Chris Rippey, Missouri Arborist Company; RCA and BCMA    

We are both veterans in the tree game with years of in-field and office experience.

Location: Windsor I-IV

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.

Join us for MWISA Trivia Night and Tree ID as some extra activities for the evening social!