February 19-20, 2026
Smart Crossings
Reducing Risk & Cost with HDD
Horizontal Directional Drilling Academy Program
February 19-20, 2026 · Scottsdale, Arizona
February 19-20, 2026 · Scottsdale, Arizona
Day One — February 19, 2026
7:30 – 8:00
Registration and Continental Breakfast
Focus Area 1: Smart Guidance Solutions for Complex HDD Projects
8:00 – 8:15
Welcome
Dr. Sam Ariaratnam, Arizona State University
8:15 – 9:15
Principles of HDD Guidance and Practical Field Design Considerations
Jed Scheckler, Vector Magnetics and Chris Roth, InRock
9:15 – 10:15
Precision Below: Bore Planning, Walkover Locating and Logging
Siggi Finnsson and Mark Gallucci, Digital Control, Inc.
10:15 – 10:30
Refreshment Break
Focus Area 2: Geotechnical Insights and HDD Design
10:30 – 12:00
Geotechnical Investigations and Settlement Risk Evaluation
David Bennett, Ph.E., P.E., Bennett Trenchless Engineers
12:00 – 12:45
Lunch Break
12:45 – 1:45
Advanced Design Evaluations: Hydrofracture Risks and Pipe Stresses
Mary Neher, PE, Bennett Trenchless Engineers
Focus Area 3: Engineering Pipe Systems for High-Reliability Directional Drilling
1:45 – 2:45
HDD Fundamentals with Fusible PVC®
Tom Marti, PE, Underground Solutions
2:45 – 3:00
Refreshment Break
3:00 – 4:00
Directional Drilling with Ductile Iron Pipe
Charlie Cathcart, U.S. Pipe
4:00 – 4:30
Higher Project Efficiency Through Faster Joint Connectivity – Permalok® HDD Joint
Bryan Swanson, Permalok/NW Pipe
4:30 – 4:45
Day One Wrap-up
5:30 – 7:30
Networking Reception at Boondocks – Old Town Scottsdale
Click here for Directions
Click here for Directions
Day Two — February 20, 2026
7:30 – 8:00
Registration and Continental Breakfast
Focus Area 4: Drilling Fluids Technology and Mud Systems Management
8:00 – 9:15
Drilling Fluid Basics and Mud Testing 101
Tyson Smith, Wyoben and Clint Pitman, Drilling Mud Direct
9:15 – 9:45
Beyond the Screen: Optimizing Slurries, Cuttings Removal, and Cost Efficiency
Matt Wiggins, Derrick Corporation
9:45 – 10:15
Refreshment Break
10:15 – 11:15
Utilizing a Reclaimer for the Utility Jobsite and Advanced Technology in Horizontal Directional Drilling
Lilly Drake and Peyton Boyle, Vermeer Corporation
Focus Area 5: Field Execution and Construction Best Practices
11:15 – 11:45
HDD Hole Openers: The History and How They Work
Rob Folkins, Horizontal Technologies, Inc.
11:45 – 12:15
Precision GPS Logging
Mike Young, UMag
12:15 – 1:00
Lunch Break
1:00 – 2:00
Small Drills, Big Insights: Using Telematics to Drive Efficiency
Seth Matthesen, Ditch Witch
2:00 – 2:15
Refreshment Break
2:15 – 3:00
Methods for Estimating an HDD Project
Aaron Cohen, DEPCOM Power/ASU
3:00 – 3:45
Group Discussion
Topics: Data Centers, AI, Energy Markets, etc.
3:45 – 4:00
Course Wrap-up and Distribution of Attendee Certificates