Oregon Permit Technicians
Association's 2026 Fall Education Summit &
Annual Business Meeting
Tue. November 3rd & Wed. November 4th: 8 am - 5 pm
Why do we look forward to it every year? Because it means OPTA's Annual Business Meeting is back in session. Members from across Oregon converge in one room to work-through jurisdiction-specific headaches, weird edge cases, and the eternal question of how to get a truth trickler to just tell you what they're actually doing.
This year we are hurdling into Eugene, November 3 and 4, with two days of education sessions built in. For a lot of Permit Techs, this is the only in-person conference on the calendar all year.
Come brainstorm with us. Bring your questions, leave with other people's solutions.
Nov. 3rd: Choose Your Track
Option #1: Over the Counter Plan Review
with
Instructor: Jessica Sorensen, Shums Code Associates
Jessica Sorensen brings the pace of the counter: fast questions, faster judgement calls, and the confidence to make the right one on the spot. Earn .6 CEUs
Option #2: Legal Aspects (structured panel discussion)
Moderator: Katherine Denight (Oregon BCD)
Panelists: Ted Zuk (Jackson County), Adele Shaffeld (Malheur County), and Amy Williams (City of Hillsboro)
Every permit decision rests on a chain of authority most techs never see spelled out. This structured panel discussion pulls back the curtain on statutes, rules, and the rights and responsibilities that back up what you tell a customer. Earn .6 CEUs
Wednesday: Ask the BCD Chiefs, the ABM, and Kelly Marshall
Wednesday opens with Oregon Building Codes Division Chiefs (BCD) and Head of Enforcement in the room.
Tentatively joining us in Eugene:
- · Brian Crise: Electrical Program Chief
- · Damon Jensen: Electrical Program Assistant Chief
- · Max Butler: Plumbing Program Chief
- · Andrea Simmons: Licensing and Compliance Manager
It's often said, "not my circus, not my monkey." Except when it comes to licensing and enforcement confusion, it's usually exactly your llama, and sadly, your drama, even when you're not the one who created it. Wednesday morning, you get to ask experts who can help you untangle them.
Have a question? Send it to info@OregonPermitTechs.com by October 15th and we'll make sure it gets in front of the right chief.
From there, the day moves into the Annual Business Meeting, including the presentation of the Permit Technician of the Year Award.
Know someone who deserves it? Submit a nomination by October 4, 2026.
After lunch, Kelly Marshall returns from Oregon BCD's ePermitting program. Even if your department isn't on ePermitting, it's worth sticking around: these Q&As dig into permit paths, fee methodologies, and the budget decisions that keep a building department funded and functioning.
Conference Location
Hilton Garden Inn Eugene/Springfield
3528 Gateway St
Springfield, OR 97477
Standard Room: $199/night*
Reserve under group code 90I (90i)** at Hilton Garden Inn Eugene/Springfield - Springfield, Oregon | ReservationDesk.com
*based on availability
** Deadline to reserve is Oct. 10th
Registration: Two ways to join
One Day Only: $200 OPTA Member Rate $300 Non-Member Rate
Both Days: $400 OPTA Member Rate $$450 Non-Member Rate
Tues Nov 3: Breakfast, Lunch, & Snacks provided
Wed Nov 4: Breakfast, Lunch, & Snacks provided
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
OPTA is a proud ICC Preferred Provider - ICC PP# 1370
**Minimum $25 Cancellation Fee per registration.
No cancellations accepted 72 hours before start of conference.
