NDA CONVENTION: Gaining Attention

Topics ranging from education to environmental issues were on the agenda at the National Demolition Association (NDA) board meeting, which took place during the organization’s Annual Convention in Nashville in late March.

The NDA’s Education Committee reported that the demolition track at Purdue University attracted more than 22 students during its initial offering, and had an equal number of students the second time it was available. There also were plans to give a class on equipment used in the demolition industry. Depending on the development of a textbook on demolition techniques, there is interest by other universities in starting similar programs.

A long discussion centered on the Safety Committee’s work. A disaster worker certification program is under review, and success was reported in providing information to fire chiefs throughout the country about the demolition industry’s capabilities to provide assistance in the case of a disaster.

The success of the NDA public relations campaign was reported on by that committee. The current advertising campaign has created attention for the association, and it was decided to remain aggressive on the public relations front in the coming year.

The Recycling Committee reported positive findings from its initial meeting with the U.S. EPA’s Office of Solid Waste. Also, the NDA’s white paper on recycling, now several years old, will be updated to provide information on new development within recycling in the demolition industry. In addition, the opportunities that C&D material provides as a fuel merits additional attention by the industry, the board agreed.

Membership has climbed to more than 900 in the NDA, and according to executive director Michael Taylor, this year’s convention is the largest ever in terms of revenue and the number of companies exhibiting. The NDA has more than $750,000 in savings and certificates of deposit, the board learned.