Overhead Distribution

What's New at the 2026 International Lineman's Rodeo

Noah StollLineman·August 13, 2026·Updated August 13, 2026·4 min read

The International Lineman's Rodeo is back October 14–17, 2026 in Overland Park and Bonner Springs, Kansas. Host utilities: Evergy and Kansas City Board of Public Utilities. Competition Saturday is at the National Agriculture Center & Hall of Fame. Expo and the Safety Conference sit at the Overland Park Convention Center.

This is the big one. The show's own numbers: 290 journeyman teams, 364 apprentices, 200-plus exhibitors, crews from eight countries. Competitor registration closes September 15.

We asked Sam Posa — he runs exhibit sales for the event — what's actually different this year, how they keep judging honest when hundreds of teams hit the grounds, and where the rodeo goes next. He wrote back.

What's new this year?

Posa is watching three things land outside the usual booth carpet: new sponsorships, a photobooth built for linemen and their families, and exhibitor branding in the hotels.

"We have a few new sponsorships that are happening at the show, a new photobooth that will be very popular with lineman and their families, also we will see some new branding by exhibitors at the hotels that are going to provide exposure outside the traditional expo hall."

The photobooth is the family play. The hotel branding is the trade-show move — get seen where crews actually sleep, not just on the expo floor.

He's also high on the Safety Conference. Not new, but he thinks the speaker list is strong. And the t-shirt exchange keeps growing. Linemen and exhibitors both in on it now.

"I really believe we also have a very good Safety Conference with some outstanding speakers. Not new to this year but our t-shirt exchange is growing in popularity, not only are lineman participating in this, but we are seeing several exhibitors participate in this frenzy."

The Safety Conference is free. Wednesday, October 14 all day, Thursday morning the 15th. Sessions this year include near-miss honesty, fall-protection systems, drones, and a talk titled "Beyond the Checklist: the Lie we Tell Ourselves."

How do they keep scoring consistent across hundreds of teams?

Judges are volunteer industry pros. That's a lot of scorecards when 300 teams hit the grounds on Saturday.

Posa says the backbone is a core of judges who come back year after year. They meet during the year. They mentor new judges. On rodeo day each judge is assigned a specific event. Mandatory meetings the week of the event cover expectations and consistent judging practices.

"We are very fortunate to have a solid core of judges that come year after year, aside from meeting during the year discussing improvements or changes they do an outstanding job of mentoring new judges. Judges are assigned a specific event to judge the day of the Rodeo and attend mandatory meetings the week of the event to address judging expectations and consistent judging practices."

That's the whole calibration story: same people, same event assignment, meetings the week of.

What separates the best teams?

"Just like any good team or individual sports, practice, study your craft and working together. A lot to be said for working together and looking out after your co-worker it translates to the competition."

No secret event. Crews that work like a crew.

Who's coming from overseas?

Countries represented last year: Canada, Italy, Germany, New Zealand, Spain, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom.

Posa thinks Central America is the next wave. What stops more overseas utilities from sending crews: travel cost, and the difference in climbing techniques and tools.

"I personally think that we will see new attendees and competitors from the Central America countries. The biggest hold back for overseas companies competing in the event are travel expenses and in some ways the difference in climbing techniques and tools required. This year we have a team coming from New Zealand to compete in the competition as well as other spectators from other countries who will come to observe."

Where does Sam want this event in five years?

The show is bumping into the building. Exhibit hall and banquets are pretty much at capacity. A venue change or a convention-center expansion is on the table.

"We are pretty much at capacity with the exhibit hall and banquets that take place, a possible venue change or an expansion in the convention center. I like the direction of our safety program so seeing continued growth and strength of the program is ideal. We also have talked about having a conference for another level of utility personnel, maybe a stand-alone program prior to the show."

Read that last part: another conference, aimed at a different layer of utility people, maybe the days before the rodeo. That's the growth idea sitting next to the capacity problem.

If you're going

• Dates: October 14–17, 2026. Competitor registration closes September 15.
• Expo / Safety Conference: Overland Park Convention Center. Safety Conference is free — Wednesday all day, Thursday morning.
• Expo hours: Thursday 12–5, Friday 9–2.
• Friday night: Barbecue and Trade Night, 5–10 p.m. Trading starts at 5. BBQ 6:30–8:30.
• Saturday: Opening ceremony 7 a.m. at the Ag Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs. Competition 7:30 a.m. Awards banquet 6:30–10 p.m.

Schedule, registration, and rules: linemansrodeokc.com/2026.