FAQ on the 2025 NIRMA Conference – Stay Sharp

Now that registration has closed for the upcoming conference, here are a few common lingering questions and answers:

1. I’m a first time attendee.  Where do I go if I’m registered for the Conference?  We’re glad you can join us!  The Younes Conference Center North in Kearney on Talmadge Street is where to go (attached to the Crowne Plaza hotel).  Ample free parking is available surrounding the conference center. The registration desk will be open Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 22, beginning at 3 pm, and at 7am on Thursday and Friday. Go to the registration desk to check in and receive your free gift and binder of materials, which includes a map of the facility, sessions at a glance with room assignments, and more.  Enjoy breakfast on us both days before sessions begin.
2. Can I still attend, even though online registration is closed?  It depends on space available, and whether the food and beverage guarantees allow for it.  Please contact Pat or Brandy at the NIRMA office 402.742.9220 to inquire.  Limited walk-in registration space may be available on site, but we ask that you call ahead to ensure we have sufficient supplies and that we are not charged extra fees by the venue.
3. Is the conference only for NIRMA members, and is it only for elected/appointed officials?  The conference is exclusively for NIRMA members, and this includes officials as well as employees of every member county and agency office.  We welcome all members to attend, and our goal is always to have as many as possible, as well as at least one representative from each member county and agency.
4. I registered, but I can no longer attend.  What should I do?  Contact Pat Clancy at the NIRMA Office by no later than the cancelation deadline of Thursday, October 16.  If you do not cancel by this date, you will be charged a fee of $75 to partially cover the cost of supplies and food that must be pre-purchased for each registered attendee.
5. I can’t remember if I registered and can’t find a confirmation email. What should I do? Call the NIRMA Office and we will assist you.
6. Will these seminars be videotaped for me to watch later, or can I tune in by webcast?  No, the conference involves legal content and is a live event only. The conference is not recorded to encourage in-person participation.
7. Will photographs be taken at the seminar?  Yes, your attendance will be deemed consent to photography on site by NIRMA. Photos are typically used for purposes of NIRMA’s publications.  Photos taken of member officials or groups can be shared with members for their own use in their publications or on their websites or social media, if requested.
8. How can I get the materials digitally, including the new AI Acceptable Use policy template?  Each attendee will receive a binder and a free printed copy of all written materials, including slides and handouts. The written materials for the large general sessions are in the binders, while the concurrent session materials will be handed out in each room for those that each attendee chooses to attend.  Additionally, attendees will receive a post-event email with a digital copy of all materials within a week of the event. The AI Acceptable Use policy template will also be added as an appendix to the NIRMA Cyber Security Toolkit which is always available online to members on our website after logging into the members-only Interact portal.
9. What’s new this year?  For one thing, you’ll be welcomed by NIRMA’s new Executive Director, Andrea Thieman!  Our conference program will look similar to prior years, but we always have fresh speakers in addition to those that members ask us to bring back year after year.  We are also implementing some new ideas to streamline the business meeting on Friday. We will be beginning the meeting a bit earlier and will have a second photo station for the dividend distribution with the intent of getting travelers back on the road as soon as possible.
10. Why should I attend for the second day on Friday?  Lots of reasons!  You’ll miss out on 3.5 hours of continuing education if you aren’t there on Friday.  And it is critical that each county and agency have a representative at the business meeting on Friday to vote in the election for 4 seats on the NIRMA Board of Directors, hear about the financial health of your pools, and to accept your dividend check (if eligible) and take a photo for your local newspapers and social media pages.  Finally, the biggest door prizes are held for the conclusion of the conference and you must be present to win!  We recognize that many folks have a distance to travel, so we are striving to improve the flow of the meeting to get you on the road as quickly as possible.
11. I need a hotel room, do you have a group rate or block?   Yes and Yes.  Our on-site room block at the Crowne Plaza hotel filled quickly this year because of other events being held on the Younes Campus on our same dates. We have arranged for room blocks at our discounted conference rate of $130 at the Tru by Hilton and the Holiday Inn on the Younes Campus. Call the hotels directly to book. Although we do not charge a registration fee to attend the conference, each member must arrange and pay for their own hotel room(s), if needed. There are often last-minute cancelations and shifts with hotel availability. Contact Brandy at the NIRMA office if you need assistance in locating a room.
12. How many continuing education hours are available for the seminar, and how do I claim my hours?  In the front pocket of your attendee binder on site will be a sheet that specifies how many hours were approved by various credentialing entities for various county job roles, and general instructions for how to claim those hours.  This sheet should be signed and preserved by you as your proof of attendance. Please note, assessors and attorneys must sign-in at the registration desk for NIRMA to report your hours to your credentialing entities – designated sheets will be available at the registration desk for this purpose. Here is a summary of continuing education hours available:
    • Law Enforcement/Corrections, 9.25 hours
    • Attorneys, 9.25 hours (regular/traditional, no ethics hours)
    • Treasurers, 8.0 hours (excludes certain sessions:  When Work Hurts, and the three Law Enforcement-specific concurrent sessions)
    • Assessors, 8.25 hours (excludes certain sessions:  When Work Hurts, and a Mission in Opposites)
    • Highway Superintendents, 8.75 (PDH hours and category depend on the session, see instruction sheet in attendee binders for details)
    • District Court Clerks, 9.25 hours
    • Human Resources staff:  8.0 hours of HR-related sessions are available and likely qualify for SHRM and HRCI recertification, but NIRMA is not a credentialed provider, so hours must be entered ad hoc.