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!

For questions and help with conference registration, please contact Stevie Cona at scona@pml.org or (717) 562-7705.

Hotel Accommodations

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

Once your conference registration has been received, a confirmation letter will be emailed to you with links to The Hershey Lodge reservation page and the Fairfield Inn.

• Important: The Hershey Lodge is not accepting call-in reservations. If you have any issues when reserving your reservations online, you may contact to the Hershey Lodge Reservation office at 855-729-3108, and ask for the room block for the PELRAS Annual Conference, Tuesday, March 24 through Friday, March 27, 2026.  
• Room Rate: $169 per night, plus 11% tax (complimentary parking included)
• Deposit Policy:   A one-night deposit (including tax) will be charged at the time of booking. Only one room per registered attendee is allowed, and all overnight guests must be registered for the conference.
• Deadline: Reservations must be made by March 2, 2026, or until the room block is sold-out.

Book your group rate for PELRAS 2026 at the Fairfield Inn

The Group Code is:  PEL

The hotel is located at 651 West Areba Avenue in downtown Hershey.  The Hotel’s group rate is $129 per night.  LAST DAY TO BOOK:  Tuesday, March 10, 2026 or until the room block is sold-out.

Additional information is available by calling:  717-520-5240

For questions about 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!