MTTIA Annual Conference 2026: Full Schedule

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7:30am CDT

Coffee and Rolls

Thursday August 6, 2026 7:30am - 8:00am CDT

CLC Cafeteria

Grab a cup of coffee and a roll before morning training sessions start.

Thursday August 6, 2026 7:30am - 8:00am CDT
CLC Cafeteria 501 W College Dr, Brainerd, MN 56401

8:00am CDT

Essential Automotive Evaporative Emissions Skills

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:00am - 10:00am CDT

W117 OSB

Designed specifically for the automotive lab environment, this training provides a practical roadmap for teaching EVAP system operation and repair. We focus on the "big four" components: canisters, purge valves, vent solenoids, and sensors, and how to demonstrate their interaction to students. The session includes a deep dive into OBD II logic and hands on troubleshooting tips that you can immediately integrate into your shop demonstrations to help students identify faults faster.

Speakers

Jim Wilson

Instructor, ATech Training

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:00am - 10:00am CDT
W117 OSB

Automotive Training

8:00am CDT

Mental Illness & Education: What Educators Need to Know

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:00am - 10:00am CDT

W218 Computer Classroom

Do you know how a diagnosed mental illness impacts a students’ ability to learn? Do you suspect a student has an undiagnosed mental illness but aren’t sure how to talk to them about it? The intersection of mental health & technical education is complicated- come learn how to navigate it! This course will explore the mental health conditions educators are most likely to encounter & how those conditions impact learning. You will learn how to recognize signs of possible mental illness & how to talk to students about these concerns. We will also explore how mental illness can impact classroom behavior & performance & how psychotropic medications may impact learning. Finally, the course will conclude with actionable tips & tracks educators can use to facilitate learning when a student has a mental illness.

Speakers

Margaret Light

Owner & Therapist, Equilibrium Therapy Services PLLC

Margaret is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, and owner of Equilibrium Therapy Services P.L.L.C., a private practice serving Minnesota and Wisconsin. Margaret is also a MN LMFT & LPC/LPCC Board-Approved Supervisor. Currently, Margaret offers... Read More →

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:00am - 10:00am CDT
W218 Computer Classroom

Instructor Training

8:00am CDT

Seam Sealers, Estimating, and New Technology with 3m's Chris Sandquist

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:00am - 11:30am CDT

W100 Welding Lab

3m will be bringing us their new technologies, estimating with insurance, and seam sealers.

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:00am - 11:30am CDT
W100 Welding Lab

Auto Body

8:00am CDT

Cummins 6.7 Gas Engine & X15 Natural Gas Engine

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:00am - 11:30am CDT

W165 Marine Powersports Lab - South

Speakers

Jim Langhoff

Technical Engine Trainer, Cummins Sales and Service

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:00am - 11:30am CDT
W165 Marine Powersports Lab - South

Diesel & Heavy Equipment

8:00am CDT

Transforming Heavy Vehicle Education with Electude

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:00am - 11:30am CDT

W166 Marine Powersports Classroom

Traditional learning materials often fail to engage today’s highly visual, kinesthetic learners. This interactive seminar introduces instructors to Electude’s revolutionary 'learn-by-doing' approach.
Discover how to transform your classroom using gamified, discovery-based lessons and hardware solutions that bring invisible and abstract concepts to life. Participants will experience this immersive learning model firsthand from Electude’s own U.S. heavy vehicle product expert. Examples of how to teach difficult concepts using Electude's Heavy Vehicle Classroom solution will be provided, with an exclusive preview of latest updates and new features.

Speakers

Darcy Wedel

Tyler Perkins

Electude

Wendy McNally

Electude

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:00am - 11:30am CDT
W166 Marine Powersports Classroom

Diesel & Heavy Equipment

8:00am CDT

Introduction to Oscilloscopes

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:00am - 12:00pm CDT

W162 Auto Classroom

This class is the ideal foundational class for any technician looking to sharpen their diagnostic edge with real-world, high-value skills. This class demystifies the oscilloscope, showing how it goes far beyond a basic multimeter by revealing what’s happening in a circuit in real time—exactly as a control module sees it. The class is focused on: “How to get the waveform on the screen.” A number of highly requested automotive specific tests will be demonstrated with real scope captures including:

Relative Compression
Secondary Ignition
Intake and Exhaust Pulse Captures
Databus Networks (CAN and LIN)
Dynamic Battery Testing/Starter Testing
Alternator Testing
Camshaft to Crankshaft Correlation
Current Probe Testing of Actuators Including Motors and Solenoids

Each test discussed will encompass: scope setup details, basic waveform anatomy and characteristics, as well as mixing in some real world applications of tests to demonstrate the key concepts. The PDF provided will serve as a clear reference manual for scope users so they can take it back to the bay and practice these skills right away, immediately offering opportunities to expand their skill set.

Speakers

Haakan Light

Manager of Training and Development, Topdon USA

Haakan has spent over 18 years of his professional career in the automotive industry. He is ASE certified as a service advisor, parts specialist and technician. His automotive journey began working as a general services technician at a local tire franchise in High School. He graduated... Read More →

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:00am - 12:00pm CDT
W162 Auto Classroom

Automotive Training

8:00am CDT

Stellantis - Chad Sheets

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:00am - 12:00pm CDT

W159 North Automotive Main Lab - North Part

Brief update on Stellantis company plans, including product launch plans. Technical presentation includes highlights of Dodge Charger/Jeep Wagoneer S EV technology, all new Cummins engine, fuel, system, and aftertreatment/emissions. Will also include information on latest vehicle communications systems and new 8-speed ZF transmissions.

Speakers

Chad Sheets

Area Training Operations Manager - Denver and Midwest, Stellantis Performance Institute

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:00am - 12:00pm CDT
W159 North Automotive Main Lab - North Part

Automotive Training

8:00am CDT

North Dakota Teachers ASE Gap Analysis - Mike Lehn and Rick McAllister

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:00am - 12:00pm CDT

W219 Computer Classroom

Speakers

Mike Lehn

ASE

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:00am - 12:00pm CDT
W219 Computer Classroom

Instructor Training

10:00am CDT

Automotive Networking

Thursday August 6, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm CDT

W158 Transportation Electrical Lab/Classroom

Automotive networks, CANbus (controller area network) unique demonstration technique for 1st time students to build the “nodes”. The session is designed to build technicians with high impact and no pressure.
· Build the “nodes”
· Install the termination resistors
· Connect nodes to the “bus”
· See the data

Speakers

Mark Bone

Professional Trainer, Megatech Corporation

Thursday August 6, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm CDT
W158 Transportation Electrical Lab/Classroom

Automotive Training

10:00am CDT

Recognizing, Addressing, & Preventing Educator Burnout

Thursday August 6, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm CDT

W218 Computer Classroom

Have you ever met a colleague and thought “They’re SO burnt out!”? Or, have you ever wondered if YOU are that colleague? If so, come learn how to address your stress! In this course, you will gain insight into stress & burnout, including how to recognize, address, & prevent burnout! This will include defining both employment stress & burnout & their impact on individual performance. You will then learn how to differentiate between stress, burnout, & formal mental health concerns, when to be concerned about stress or burnout, & what type of intervention is needed for each. You will also learn how to address both acute & chronic stress, how to prevent burnout, & how to address burnout once it has started. Regardless of your background, you will leave this course better equipped to navigate the inevitable stressors of the profession!

Speakers

Margaret Light

Owner & Therapist, Equilibrium Therapy Services PLLC

Educator Burnout 2026 FINAL Upload pdf

Thursday August 6, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm CDT
W218 Computer Classroom

Instructor Training

12:00pm CDT

Lunch with Keynote Speaker Jay Goninen from ASE

Thursday August 6, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm CDT

CLC Cafeteria

Thursday August 6, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm CDT
CLC Cafeteria 501 W College Dr, Brainerd, MN 56401

1:00pm CDT

MTTIA Planning and Interest Meeting

Thursday August 6, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

CLC Cafeteria

Want to get involved with the MTTIA Board of Directors or help plan the conference? We're looking for passionate individuals like you to support and shape the future of MTTIA!

Thursday August 6, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
CLC Cafeteria 501 W College Dr, Brainerd, MN 56401

MTTIA Meeting

7:30am CDT

8:00am CDT

8:00am CDT

8:00am CDT

8:00am CDT

8:00am CDT

8:00am CDT

8:00am CDT

8:00am CDT

10:00am CDT

10:00am CDT

12:00pm CDT

1:00pm CDT

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