Anniversary Party

The National Demolition Association has a lot to celebrate in 2008. Not only has the booming scrap metals market continued to boost the bottom lines of many of its member companies, but the association’s annual convention marks the event’s 35th anniversary.

Returning to what the event’s organizers call the association’s home-away-from-home, the Mirage in Las Vegas, the National Demolition Association’s Executive Director Michael Taylor says he expects a very successful show in 2008. "It’s a big deal for all sorts of reasons," he says about the celebration of 35 years of service to the demolition industry.

A NASCAR theme has been selected to celebrate the anniversary convention, and driver Kyle Petty will deliver the keynote address to open the show, which will be Feb. 24-27.

Taylor says he expects a large number of attendees because of strong market conditions. A further reflection of a healthy industry, Taylor says he expects to sell out the 90,000 square feet of exhibit space in the Mirage’s Event Center that the association has reserved to showcase the latest products and services being offered to demolition professionals.

While a healthy scrap market alone would contribute to a solid exhibition, Taylor says the fact that ConExpo-Con/Agg is also taking place this year in Las Vegas is also boosting the exhibitor presence at the National Demolition Association’s show. "A lot of equipment manufacturers have bought large booth space because of ConExpo," he says, adding that many exhibitors will simply move from one show to the other. "Demand for equipment remains very strong, and the benefit of ConExpo is they are going to have their [equipment]in Vegas, so they can move it right over there."

ConExpo-Con/Agg, which takes place every three years, will be March 11-15 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

In addition to packing the exhibit hall, the National Demolition Association has put together a lineup of educational programming that addresses some of the most important topics in the industry.

The convention’s organizers have assembled a variety of speakers to address topics that they hope will draw interest from all the attendees, no matter what segment of the demolition business they’re in.

Ray Passeno of Bierlein Cos. Inc., the association’s vice president, will be among the convention’s first speakers and will update the association’s members about the National Demolition Association’s strategic plan. Taylor says the Board of Directors spent a great deal of time developing the plan for the organization for the next three to five years, and announcing the details is an exciting prospect.

NASCAR’s Kyle Petty will give the keynote address Monday morning to open the conference, another exciting prospect, says Taylor. "He’s part of the ruling elite of NASCAR, and he’s also a fabulous speaker," he says of Petty.

The management of construction and demolition debris will be addressed by Kimberly Cochran and Paul Ruesch in a session titled "National C&D Materials Recycling and Disaster Debris Management Efforts."

Sessions addressing safety and legal issues are also scheduled.

Finally, Wednesday morning, Howard Button of the National Federation of Demolition Contractors will outline a British system for demolition contractor training and certification.

The programming highlights safety and environmental stewardship—both of which are key aspects of the association’s philosophy, Taylor says.

Taylor predicts that the healthy scrap market will make for a well-attended show and a successful follow up to last year’s event, which drew 1,800 people, including a record number of first-time attendees and a record number of exhibitors. "The scrap market has put money in people’s pockets," he says. "It’s a good time in the demolition industry, and we expect the convention to reflect that."

The 35th Annual National Demolition Association Convention will be Feb. 24-27, 2008, at the Mirage in Las Vegas.

More information, including the most up-to-date schedule of events as well as information on how to register or exhibit, is available online at the National Demolition Association’s Web site www.demolitionassociation.com. C&DR

The author is associate editor of Construction & Demolition Recycling and can be contacted at jgubeno@gie.net.