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2011 No-Dig Show
Goes to Washington By
Washington, D.C., is home to the movers and shakers
of the political sphere and more importantly serves
as a virtual history book of the United States through
its monuments, museums and other places of reverence.
The movers and shakers of the trenchless industry will
gather just outside of Washington, D.C., March 27-31, just as
the cherry blossoms start their annual bloom, for the annual
No-Dig Conference and Exhibition.
Sponsored by the North American Society for Trenchless
Technology (NASTT), this annual event draws trenchless
professionals from around the globe to the largest conference
and tradeshow in North America dedicated solely to
the promotion of trenchless technology. Through exhibits,
educational seminars and fun networking events, the No-Dig
Show is a must-attend event for the trenchless professional.
This year, the conference is paying homage to its history,
marking 20 years of trenchless solutions.
2010 was a good year for the trenchless industry and this
year’s conference hopes to capitalize on that momentum
with a strong No-Dig Show. In 2011, more than 140 exhibitors
will fill the 73,000-sq ft exhibit hall, displaying the latest
in trenchless equipment and technology and be on hand to
answer attendees’ question.
The No-Dig technical paper program is also an important
part of the show’s success and stature. 2011 brings 140-peerreviewed
technical papers to be presented, focusing on a
diverse range of trenchless topics, including horizontal directional
drilling, cured-in-place pipe (CIPP), microtunneling,
inspection, case histories, asset management, pipe jacking and
ramming, water and sewer rehabilitation, project planning,
inspection and trenchless research.
Pre- and post conference seminars are also on the schedule
for attendees at an additional cost. On Sunday, March 27,
NASTT’s Trenchless Technology Short Course-New
Construction and Rehabilitation will be held. The course is
ideally suited for both newcomers to the industry and for
anyone who is interested in seeking a refresher course on
trenchless technology methods.
On March 30-April 2, several informative courses are slated,
presented by NASTT and NASSCO. From NASTT: Cured-in-
Place Pipe Good Practices Course; Laterals Rehabilitation &
Replacement Good Practices Course; HDD Consortium
Horizontal Directional Drilling Good Practices Guidelines
Course; Pipe Bursting Good Practices Course; and New
Installation Methods Good Practices. From NASSCO: PACP
Trainer Recertification; PACP Trainer Upgrade; Pipeline
Assessment and Certification Program and Lateral and Manhole
Assessment Certification Program.
Although the No-Dig Show is the conduit to promote and
advance the trenchless marketplace through education and
exhibits, there’s also the social aspect of the conference that
fosters networking opportunities for attendees, as well as just
some fun and good times.
No-Dig Preview
Sharon M. Bueno
The conference gets under way with its annual Kick-off
Breakfast on Monday, March 28. During this event, the formal
presentation of the 2011 Trenchless Technology Person of the
Year will be made (which will be announced in the March
issue of Trenchless Technology). Also, the 2010 Outstanding
Papers in Rehabilitation and New Installation Awards will be
announced. Entertainment for this event will be comedian
Greg Schwem, whose performance provides an entertaining
look at today’s corporate environment and the latest tools
used to conduct business.
Also on March 28, NASTT will hold its 10th annual
Educational Fund Auction & Reception. This annual event is
the perfect opportunity for attendees to mingle and relax, as
well as bid on items for an excellent cause — the Educational
Fund, which supports student chapters, target research, training
modules and other student activities. Past items for bid
have included trips, electronics, Major League Baseball tickets,
NASCAR events, as well as jewelry and trenchless products.
Since 2002, this auction has raised more than $356,000. eBay
has been added to the auction process this year, giving attendees
the chance to bid on items worth $5,000 or more. The
eBay auction will be carried over to the first two days of the
No-Dig Show (Sunday and Monday) and will be closed out as
the onsite live auction is started.
On Tuesday, March 29, NASTT will host its annual Gala Awards
Dinner. During this popular event, the trenchless community
gathers for a night of fun, food and dancing to live entertainment.
At this event, the winners, runners up and honorable mentions
for the 2010 Trenchless Technology Projects of the Year for
Rehabilitation and New Installation will be formally recognized.
To close out the 2010 No-Dig event is the annual Closing
Luncheon and Keynote Address on Wednesday, March 30.
Here, attendees can enjoy lunch, entertainment and say goodbye
to their fellow trenchless professionals before heading
home. This year, this networking event will be paired with
NASTT’s Municipal & Utility Achievement Awards, which recognize
exceptional achievement among American and
Canadian municipalities and public utilities that have made
significant contributions to the development and growth of
the trenchless industry. In 2011, the innovative product awards
have been re-named in the memory of longtime NASTT member
Joseph L. Abbott Jr., who passed away in late 2010.
At a nominal cost, you can take a moonlight tour of the
nation’s capitol, taking advantage of the Monuments by
Moonlight Tour on March 27. The tour includes stops at the
National Mall, the Lincoln Memorial, the Korean War Memorial
and the Vietnam Memorial and more.
Sharon M. Bueno is managing editor of Trenchless Technology.
For more information about the 2010 No-Dig Show,
visit www.nodigshow.com or contact Benjamin Media,
which handles the show’s management, at 330-467-7588.
www.trenchlessonline.com February 2011 TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY 23