IMWCA University
Ongoing training is critical to employee safety, a cornerstone of IMWCA’s mission. Our annual IMWCA University offers training on a broad range of topics aimed directly at Iowa’s local government employees: safety coordinators, managers, municipal staff, elected officials, and agents.
Save the Date for IMWCA University 2026: April 8-9
IMWCA University 2026
IMWCA University will be held April 8-9. Below you will find details about the event. Agenda is subject to change.
2026 Agenda
Wednesday, April 8
1 p.m. | Grimes Public Safety Facility Tour
Come join us for a tour of the Public Safety Center that opened this winter. This 16,500 sq ft state of the art facility provides space for both the Johnston-Grimes Metropolitan Fire District and the Polk County Sheriff’s Department which is contracted to provide law enforcement services to the City of Grimes.
2:15 – 4 p.m. | Grimes Public Works Walk Through Training
Join IMWCA staff at the City of Grimes Public Works and Parks maintenance facility to learn how to conduct a safety walk-through. Learn about what to look at and how to identify safety-related issues before they lead to workplace injuries.
2:30 – 4 p.m. | Claims: How it Affects Your Premium
Location: Hilton Garden Inn, 8600 Northpark Drive, Johnston, IA 50131
Details Coming Soon
5 p.m. | Social Hour – Hilton Garden Inn, hosted by IMWCA
Location: Hilton Garden Inn, 8600 Northpark Drive, Johnston, IA 50131
Join IMWCA at 5 p.m. for a social hour at the Hilton Garden Inn to connect with IMWCA staff and other members of the pool. Lite apps and beverages will be provided. Pre-registration required.
Thursday, April 9
Location: Hilton Garden Inn, 8600 Northpark Drive, Johnston, IA 50131
8:30 a.m. | Registration
9:15 a.m. | Opening General Session
Details Coming Soon
10:30 a.m. | Break
10:45 a.m. | Breakout Sessions
- Option 1 – 2026 Leadership Training Program Overview: Unlock the Secrets to Effectively Managing Your People
Details Coming Soon - Option 2 – You’re the Newish Safety Contact, What Now?
Details Coming Soon
11:45 a.m. | Lunch
Roundtables are designed to foster open discussions, promote the exchange of ideas, and encourage attendee questions. Each session will last 30 minutes, after which participants will have the opportunity to join a different roundtable discussion for a second round.
12:45 p.m. | Round One – Round Tables
1:15 p.m. | Round Two – Round Tables
- Option 1 – AI & Safety
Ask questions and share ideas on how AI can enhance safety practices. - Option 2 – IMWCA Grants
This interactive session is your chance to ask questions, share challenges, and exchange ideas with peers. Join us to discuss best practices, common pitfalls, and strategies to improve your claims process. - Option 3 – Managing Repeat Injury Claims
An interactive, discussion-based workshop where participants share real-world experiences and learn from one another while exploring practical strategies for addressing and preventing repeat injury claims. - Option 4 – Claims Q&A
Bring your questions about handling claims, hear from the experts, and learn from others as real-world questions and scenarios are discussed. - Option 5 – Drug Testing: Post Incident & Reasonable Suspicion
Share experiences and learn from one another while exploring best practices for post-incident and reasonable suspicion drug testing. - Option 6 – What to Expect From Your Agent
This roundtable will focus on what members can reasonably expect from their agent and what agents typically expect in return. We’ll walk through common practices, roles, and responsibilities, then open the floor for questions and discussion.
1:45 p.m. | Break
1:50 – 3 p.m. | Closing General Session: Public Works Response to a Community Tragedy
This session will focus on the events of that day from a Public Works Department perspective, including the department’s role during the incident and the challenges faced in the aftermath. Josh Wuebker, City of Perry Public Works Director, will share his firsthand experiences with the goal of helping other cities and departments better prepare for and respond to a critical incident of this nature.
Speaker: Josh Wuebker, CPM, Public Works Director, City of Perry
Training Videos
