2026 Annual PELRAS Conference

Join us from Wednesday, March 25 – Friday, March 27, 2026 at the HERSHEY LODGE AND CONVENTION CENTER for the premiere training forum for public sector employees in the Commonwealth. Over 20 labor relations specialists address key issues via panel discussions, in-depth seminars, case examples, role-playing and Q&A sessions supplemented with a comprehensive reference manual, access to PELRAS attorneys, and networking opportunities with municipal administrators throughout the state.

2026 Session Topics Include*

• 2026 Labor and Employment Potpourri
• Arbitrator Red Light Green Light
• Employment Lesson Learned from the Headlines
• A.I.Oh.My. – Review of the current state of AI and the challenges presented from an employment perspective
• Mock Act 111 Interest Arbitration Hearing
• Are You High? Advanced Drug and Alcohol Issues Affecting Your Workplace
• Employment Law in Practice: Litigation-Proofing Your Municipality
• Big Brother (or at least your employer) is Watching 
• Leave Your Politics at the Door – Creating policies and expectations that promote civil (non-political) discourse in the work environment
• Cleaning Up Costly Traps in Your Collective Bargaining Agreements
• EEOC Update
• The Top Ten Pension Plan Issues to Avoid
• Is There Liability Hiding in Your Leave Policies? 
• Goodbye To You – Terminating Public Employees
• Avoiding the Discipline “Hot Potato” – Understanding “Who” Has the Authority to Issue “What” Discipline
• Tackling FMLA Abuse and Getting the Information You Need from Healthcare Providers
• What if They Don’t File a Grievance: Police Tenure Act and Civil Service Appeals
• Abnormal No More: Workers’ Compensation, First Responders and PTSD Injuries
• At Will?  The Rights of Your Non-Union Employees
• Back to Basics: Job Applications
• Back to Basics: Understanding Your CBA Provisions – Why are They in There? What Do They Mean?
• Back to Basics: Discipline “Cliff Notes”
• Back to Basics: Who’s in and Who’s Out? – This session reviews the Act 111 and Act 195 statutes and highlights the exceptions to Union membership under Pennsylvania law
• Back to Basics: Everything You Should Know About Public Sector Pensions

*Topics subject to change until final agenda is published.

Registration Rates

To continue providing the high-quality programming, networking, and professional development you’ve come to expect, registration rates will be increasing for this event. Rising costs for food and beverage, audio/visual services, staffing, meeting space, and other conference needs make this adjustment necessary. Even with these changes, our rates remain competitive and are carefully set to ensure the best possible value for our members.

We truly appreciate your understanding and support, and we look forward to seeing you at another engaging and impactful PELRAS Conference in 2026!

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. For questions and help, please contact Stevie Cona at scona@pml.org or (717) 562-7705.

Hotel

Hotel Accommodations at the Hershey Lodge are available on a LIMITED basis.  Overflow rooms are available at the Fairfield Hotel in downtown Hershey.

Fairfield Hotel phone number:  717-520-5240

For questions about hotel accommodations, please reach out to Mary Costik, CMP, at mcostik@pml.org or (717) 562-7699.

We look forward to seeing you in Hershey!

Conference Cancellation Policy

• All cancellations must be submitted in writing to StevieCona at scona@pml.org
• Refunds will be issued less a $50 administrative fee for cancellations received on or before March 9, 2026
• No cancellations or refunds will be processed after March 10, 2026

Things to see and do in Hershey!