Mississippi Department of Transportation

MDOT Maintenance
Meeting 2026

Venue
Cadence Bank Center
Dates
May 12–15, 2026
Location
Tupelo, Mississippi

Connecting Mississippi's
Highway Network

The MDOT Maintenance Meeting brings together maintenance personnel, engineers, supervisors, and leadership from across the state alongside vendors, contractors, and consultants to share best practices for maintaining safe and reliable highways.

This annual conference provides a valuable opportunity for participants to learn about emerging technologies, review policy updates, and exchange knowledge across district lines and with industry partners who support the state's transportation system.

Through collaboration and shared expertise, the meeting strengthens coordination, promotes innovation, and supports the ongoing effort to effectively maintain Mississippi's highway network.

Cadence Bank Center
May 12–15, 2026
Tupelo, Mississippi

Questions

For questions, please feel free to contact MDOT at Events@mdot.ms.gov.

Sponsorship

Join us as a sponsor or exhibitor. Multiple tiers available from $1,200 exhibitor booths to $4,000 lunch sponsorships.

View Opportunities

Event Agenda

May 12–14, 2026  ·  Cadence Bank Arena, Tupelo, MS

Tuesday, May 12
Wednesday, May 13
Thursday, May 14
Tuesday, May 12th, 2026
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Vendor Set-Up
Convention Center Concourse
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Registration
Convention Center Concourse
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Opening Ceremony
Presentation of the Colors – DPS Honor Guard
Welcoming and Opening Remarks – Matt Dunn, District 1 Engineer
Commissioner Willie Simmons, Chairman  ·  Earl Glenn, Chief Engineer
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM
State of MDOT
Brad White – MDOT Executive Director
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
Keynote Address
Haley Barbour
2:45 PM – 3:30 PM
Break in Exhibit Hall SponsoredBreak
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Safety Program Update/Safety Excellence Awards
MDOT Safety Team
6:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Dinner at The DepotSponsored by Ergon
The Depot
Wednesday, May 13th, 2026
7:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Breakfast at Convention Center Sponsored
8:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Registration
Convention Center Concourse
8:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Tour of K&K Systems, Inc. manufacturing facility
(Invitation Only)
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Civil Rights Update
Andrea Hendricks
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
HR Update
Brock Campbell
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Roadside Vegetation Management
Dr. John Byrd
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
Break in Exhibit Hall SponsoredBreak
10:45 AM – 11:00 AM
Public Affairs Update
David Kenney, Public Affairs
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Up and Atom
Isaiah Salafia  /  Lexie Anderson
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Lunch in Main Exhibit Hall Sponsored
1:00 PM – 2:45 PM
MIL (AtomAI) Breakout
Meeting Room TBD
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
MS Deer Update - (White-Tailed Deer)
William McKinley, MDWFP Program Coordinator
1:45 PM – 2:15 PM
Research Update
Alex Middleton
2:15 PM – 2:45 PM
Architectural Services Update
Seth Winchester, ASU
2:45 AM – 3:30 PM
Break in Exhibit Hall SponsoredBreak
3:30 PM – 4:15 PM
Being the Best You!
Terrance Yarborough
4:15 PM – 5:00 PM
Hot Topics in Maintenance
Addison Walsh/Carter Smith, Legal
5:00 PM
Door Prize Give-Away & Adjourn
Evening
Dinner on Your Own
Thursday, May 14th, 2026
7:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Breakfast at Convention Center Sponsored
8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
District Maintenance Engineer Panel
Moderated by Matt Dugas
Topics: Winter Storm Fern · AtomAI · Mowing · Pavement Preservation · Audience Questions · And more....
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Break in Exhibit Hall SponsoredBreak
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Environmental Compliance Updates
Top Shop Awards Presentation
11:15 AM – 11:45 AM
Vendor Door Prize Drawings
11:45 AM
Closing Remarks & Adjourn

Questions about the conference? Contact MDOT at Events@mdot.ms.gov