A Full House

For any demolition contractor, C&D recycler or equipment manufacturer who was looking for an excuse to head to Las Vegas, the industry has provided three compelling cases for making a trip to the desert oasis in March.

The National Demolition Association (NDA) Annual Convention, ConExpo/Con-Agg and C&D World will give thousands of people an opportunity to see the biggest and latest equipment the industry has to offer, network with industry professionals and vendors from all over the world and participate in a host of educational opportunities.
 

NDA CONVENTION
“The Magic is Back” is the theme of the NDA’s 38th Annual Convention being held March 5-8, 2011 at The Mirage. Mike Taylor, executive director of the NDA explains why the association chose the theme.

“After the last couple of years, the industry can use a little pick-me-up,” he says, adding, “The magic is back, things are getting better.”

Economists are indicating that business will pick back up for the industry in 2011 and that 2012 should be a good year, according to Taylor. Already booth space for the exhibit hall is filling up.

“I am very heartened by the response of the associate members. I see it must be true we must be digging out,” Taylor remarks.

The exhibit hall opens on Sunday, March 6, and will showcase new equipment and services available to the demolition industry.

Convention activities kick off at noon on Saturday, March 5, with a golf tournament at Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort. The tee time was pushed back this year to attract attendees who arrive later.

An opening cocktail reception will be held Sunday, March 6, from 7-9 p.m. on Monday, March 7, keynote speaker Clyde Fessler, vice president of business development for Harley Davidson Motor Co., will provide what is promised as his dramatic entrance and inspiring story of how the renowned motorcycle company was able to make a comeback.

Breakout sessions on Monday, March 7, and Tuesday, March 8, include:

Session I: “Identifying Refrigerated Appliances” by Adam Dykstra of Rapid Recovery and “Regulatory Issues in Refrigerant Recovery” by Evelyn Swain of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Dykstra has worked in the refrigerant recovery industry for several years. Swain will provide an overview of the requirements necessary to ensure proper handling of refrigerants prior to building demolition.

Session II: “Insurance Matters” by Nathan Brainard, Insurance Office of America. Brainard will provide an overview of what is happening in the insurance market and how it affects companies involved in demolition and recycling. Common policy issues such as endorsements, exclusions and required verbiage from customers will also be covered.

Session III: “PPE – You’ve Got to Be Putting Me On” by Jay L. Jacobs of CMS Energy. The veteran speaker and safety instructor will discuss why personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential.

Session IV: “NDA Website, the Source for all Things Demolition.” In this session, Ray Passeno, NDA president and Ed Ayers, OnClick Inc., will provide a demonstration of the resources available on the NDA website.

An event with a magic theme would not be complete without a magic show. On Monday, March 7, a trio of illusionists will perform, including comedy magician Mac King, illusionist Jason Byrne and visual artist Kevin James.

On Tuesday, March 8, Mark Shaurette, assistant professor at Purdue University, will moderate a roundtable session titled “NDA – Facing Current and Future Challenges for the Demolition Process.” The session will include a panel of peers. Questions and insights from members are welcome at the roundtable.

Taylor recommends attending the conference as a way to gear up for the year ahead. “Come to the show. Have a good time. Learn some stuff. Have fun in Vegas, and get ready for the new construction season in 2011,” he says.

Registration is $650 for members and $750 for non-members. More details, including a schedule of events and registration information, are available on the NDA website, www.demolitionassociation.com.
 

CONEXPO-CON/AGG
Just a few weeks after NDA’s convention wraps up, another industry event will be drawing thousands to Vegas. If the 2011 ConExpo-Con/Agg is anything like it was in 2008, then expect more than 140,000 people from all over the world to converge on 2.28 million net square feet of exhibit space March 22-26 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

ConExpo-Con/Agg is held every three years, and in 2011 more than 2,000 exhibitors are expected showcase the latest equipment, products, services and technologies available for the construction industry. The exhibit areas will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Produced by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), ConExpo-Con/Agg, also includes more than 125 educational sessions divided into nine tracks: aggregates, asphalt, concrete, earthmoving and site development, equipment asset management, management best practices, recycling and sustainability, safety and workforce development/competitive edge.

The sessions are 90 minutes long and include take-away materials. Session tickets are available individually or as a package. Continuing education credits (CEUs) will be offered. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will also hold its 10-Hour Course for construction workers and several organizations will offer industry certification courses and exams.

Being held in conjunction with several other events, ConExpo-Con/Agg is being called “the global industry gathering place in 2011” by its organizers. More information is available at www.conexpoconagg.com.
 

C&D WORLD
One event co-locating with ConExpo-Con/Agg is the C&D World Exhibition and Conference, organized by the Construction Materials Recycling Association (CMRA). It will be held March 23 at the Paris Resort and Casino. CMRA executive director Bill Turley says the agenda is abbreviated because of ConExpo-Con/Agg, but there is still plenty on it.

“This is the best opportunity to see what is going on in the C&D industry,” says Turley. “It’s where all the big heavy hitters are.”

The program starts at 7:30 a.m. with breakfast. Three sessions will take place in the morning, in addition to the CMRA’s annual membership meeting. Session topics include “Issues on C&D Wood Fuel and Incineration” presented by Maxwell Lee, principal engineer, Koofler & Associates; “Safety and C&D Recycling” presented by John Schumacher, senior vice president, Assurance Safety Consulting, and another session entitled “State of the C&D Recycling Industry.”

Paid registrants of the CMRA annual meeting receive free access to ConExpo-Con/Agg exhibits and reduced rates on ConExpo-Con/Agg sessions. The cost to attend C&D World is $250. More information is available at www.cdrecycling.org or by calling (630) 585-7530.

CMRA has also organized a Green Roads Summit in conjunction with several other organizations that will take place March 24. The event will provide background on the Green Highways movement and show attendees how to take part. “It’s a great opportunity for attendees to meet with leaders in this emerging area to discuss current and future best practices,” says Turley.

ISRI CONVENTION SLATED FOR APRIL Just one month after all the activity in Las Vegas, recyclers will be packing their bags for yet another convention, this time in Los Angeles. The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. (ISRI) Annual Convention and Exposition will be held April 5-9 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. More than 5,000 scrap recycling industry professionals are expected to attend. The 2011 ISRI Convention and Exposition will include spotlights on commodities including aluminum, copper, ferrous, nickel/stainless, paper, plastics and scrap tire. The convention will also feature a special spotlight on the overall economy. More information is available at www.isriconvention.org