September 28, 2026
The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) has opened its Call for Proposals for the 2027 CGA Conference & Expo, inviting industry professionals and subject matter experts to help shape educational programming focused on underground utility damage prevention.
Proposals will be accepted through October 23, 2026, with the conference scheduled for April 12–15, 2027, at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida.
The 2027 conference will bring together professionals from across the damage prevention industry under the theme “The Challenge of Change.”
With technology, workforce requirements and regulations evolving rapidly, CGA is seeking sessions that encourage solutions-driven discussions and identify practical actions that can help reduce damage to underground utilities.
The CGA Conference & Expo brings together industry experts and decision-makers for several days of education, collaboration and networking. Programming includes roundtable discussions, presentations, interactive breakout sessions and networking opportunities.
CGA is seeking outcome-oriented proposals addressing issues important to its members and the wider damage prevention industry.
Priority topics include proven strategies and measurable progress for reducing underground utility damage, the role of facility owners and operators in damage prevention, and technology applications already delivering industry improvements.
CGA is also interested in scalable approaches for managing infrastructure locate surges and discussions surrounding effective safe digging laws and regulations.
CGA President and CEO Sarah K. Magruder Lyle said the 2027 theme reflects an industry facing significant changes in technology, workforce and regulation. The conference is intended to provide a forum where participants can share strategies and partnerships for protecting underground infrastructure.
Technology is expected to play an important role in the 2027 conference as the damage prevention industry explores new ways to protect underground infrastructure and improve operations.
For construction firms, utility contractors, facility owners and locating companies, advances in damage prevention technology can affect how underground infrastructure is identified, documented and protected before excavation begins.
The conference will provide an opportunity for industry professionals to share practical examples and measurable results from technologies and processes currently being applied in the field.
According to CGA, the 2026 CGA Conference & Expo at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs attracted more than 1,400 damage prevention professionals representing 15 stakeholder groups.
Participants included utilities, state 811 call centers, oil and gas pipeline operators, utility contractors, construction companies, insurance providers, equipment manufacturers and underground locating technology companies.
The diverse attendance reflects the collaborative approach required to reduce underground utility damage, with multiple organizations and stakeholders involved throughout excavation, locating and infrastructure management.
Industry professionals interested in presenting at the 2027 CGA Conference & Expo can submit proposals through the conference’s online application process until 11:59 p.m. ET on October 23, 2026.
Applicants are expected to be notified of their proposal status by December 4, 2026. Selected presenters must confirm their participation by December 11, 2026. Proposals that are not confirmed by that deadline will be considered declined.
The 2027 CGA Conference & Expo runs April 12–15, 2027, in Tampa, bringing the damage prevention community together to explore the technologies, strategies and partnerships shaping the future of underground infrastructure protection.
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