The current economic slowdown has affected nearly every industry in the United States, including the demolition sector. In times like these, it’s more important than ever for demolition professionals to maintain strong relationships with their colleagues and suppliers, according to MichaelTaylor, CAE, executive director of the Doylestown, Pa.-based National Demolition Association.
One way demolition contractors and construction and demolition recyclers can foster valuable business relationships is through networking at industry events such as the National Demolition Association’s Annual Convention. More than
C&D World Event Comes to Florida The Construction Materials Recycling Association (CMRA) has put the programming in place for its C&D World event, taking place March 22-24 in Tampa, Fla. Among the programming highlights on Monday March 22 is an economic forecast from Edward Sullivan of the Portland Cement Association. The forecast will include specific information for the construction and concrete industries. Also that day, Dr. Kimberly Cochran of the U.S. EPA will moderate a panel on recycled C&D products and Dr. Jenna Jambeck of the University of New Hampshire will lead a session entitled "Issues and Answers with C&D Fines." Other Monday sessions cover the topics of recycled concrete and "The Future of Rail Haul in the C&D Industry." Tuesday’s programming includes a presentation from Dennis Blanchard on the upgrading of the concrete recycling operations of Maryland’s Percontee Inc. and the CMRA’s annual membership meeting. Tuesday afternoon will be devoted to a golf outing sponsored by Eagle Crusher Co. Inc. that will take place at The Tides Golf Club, located along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. On Sunday afternoon, attendees can start off the conference by attending an equipment panel featuring representatives from three horizontal grinder manufacturers (CBI, Morbark and Peterson) and a session on the future of gasification technology within the C&D industry. The event’s Exhibit Hall, will be open starting with a Welcoming Reception on Sunday evening, March 22. The Hall will be open throughout the day Monday and then on Tuesday morning until the start of the 9:30 a.m. session. More information, including the most up-to-date programming schedule and how to register for the event is available online at www.mining-media.com/events/cdworld_event/.
1,400 demolition industry professionals gathered at last year’s event, which was held at the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The purpose of event is to bring demolition professionals and equipment suppliers under one roof to view the latest industry innovations and discuss current issues, Taylor says.
This year, attendees will gather at the Walt Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., April 4-8, for the National Demolition Association’s 36th Annual Convention. Taylor adds that approximately 125 exhibitors are expected to showcase their products in Orlando, an increase from the 100 equipment and service providers who exhibited at last year’s convention.
By choosing the Orlando area and Disney as the setting for this year’s convention, the association intends to encourage attendees to bring their families. to share in the event. "We are very family orientated," Taylor says. "Most of this industry is comprised of family-owned businesses that have been passed down from one generation to the next."
One of the family activities includes the Monday night theme party, which will be hosted by Disney characters. The association has also adjusted the exhibit halls hours on Monday, April 6 and Tuesday, April 7, to give attendees more opportunity to visit the Disney parks in the afternoons. Exhibit hall hours remain the same on Sunday, April 5.
Show Schedule Saturday, April 4 Golf Tournament – 8 a.m. Sunday, April 5 Delegate Registration – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting – 8 a.m. to 4p.m. Exhibit Hall Open – Noon to 4 p.m. Coffee Break – Noon to 3 p.m. Cocktail Reception – 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, April 6 Buffet Breakfast – 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Delegate Registration – 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Welcome and Introductions – 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. • John Lloyd, Convention Committee Chairman Exhibit Hall Open – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Buffet Lunch – Noon to 1 p.m. Exhibitor’s Raffle – 12:45 p.m. Coffee Break – 12:45 p.m. to 1 p.m. Keynote Speaker – 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. • Frank Addeman, vice president of planning/scheduling and management controls, Walt Disney Imagineering Disney Theme Party – 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 7 Buffet Breakfast – 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Delegate Registration – 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Exhibit Hall Open – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Buffet Lunch – Noon to 1 p.m. Exhibitor’s Raffle – 12:45 p.m. Coffee Break – 12:45 p.m. to 1 p.m. Breakout Sessions – 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. (Running Concurrently) • Mark Ryan and Evan Mackey, "I-35W Bridge Collapse – Response and Removal" • Gregory A. Hoyle, "Succession Planning: Issues and Obstacles" • Paul Nutcher, "LEED for Demolition Contactors" National Demolition Association Annual Meeting – 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Cocktail Reception and Annual Banquet – Wednesday, April 8 Speaker with Coffee and Danish – 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Michael Casbon, Presentation of: "Anatomy of a Disaster – Explosion at BP Texas City Refinery, March 23, 2005"
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The association has also woven the Disney theme into its educational programming as well.
Frank Addeman, vice president of planning/scheduling and management controls, Walt Disney Imagineering, will give this year’s keynote session titled "Behind the Magic." He will discuss how the Disney resort was developed and what goes on behind the scenes to maintain it. Addeman is scheduled to speak Monday, April 6 at 1 p.m., immediately following the afternoon coffee break.
The association has also included a lineup of educational sessions that addresses some of the most important issues affecting the industry today. In a session on Tuesday afternoon called "Succession Planning: Issues and Obstacles," Gregory A. Hoyle will discuss the issues and obstacles inherent in succession planning for family-owned businesses. Running concurrently with this session will be "LEED for Demolition Contractors," lead by Paul Nutcher, a speaker on green building programs, who will explain how demolition contractors can participate in the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program. Also included in this timeslot is a session titled "I35W Bridge Collapse – Response and Removal." Mark Ryan and Evan Mackey will give a presentation on the site clearance at the I-35W disaster site in the Twin Cities.
Since the convention is designed to give attendees the opportunity to connect, the association also has planned a number of networking activities, including the 22nd annual golf tournament at ChampionsGate Golf Resort on Saturday, April 4; the opening night cocktail reception on Sunday, April 6; and a cocktail reception and annual banquet on Tuesday, April 7.
To close the show, attendees are invited to a presentation given by Michael Casbon, chairperson of the association’s safety committee. Casbon will provide commentary as the National Demolition Association airs the U.S. Chemical Safety Board’s film on the explosion at the BP Texas City Refinery in Baytown, Texas, that occured on March 23, 2005.
More information regarding the National Demolition Association’s Annual Convention, including the most up-to-date schedule of events, how to register and how to exhibit is available online at the association’s Web site www.demolitionassociation.com.
The author is assistant editor of
Construction & Demolition Recycling and can be contacted at kmorris@gie.net.
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