April 2014, Vol. 69 No. 4
Features
RehabZone Successfully Continues Industry Information Mission
A national winter weather emergency may have slowed traffic initially for the 2014 RehabZone, but organizers were still pleased with the results of the annual event held in conjunction with the Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT) in Houston.
The RehabZone is the popular “show within a show” at UCT which offers objective, “no-sell” information about pipeline rehabilitation technologies.
“The weather scared off some people, but those who were committed to coming and getting the information they needed showed up,” said Guy Leslie, RehabZone vice chairman. “Those of us with trade show experience remember other, similar situations where attendance figures were down, but it seems there always is a core group that gets to the show no matter what, and exhibitors place a high value on these quality attendees.
“Therefore, we consider the 2014 RehabZone well-attended success.”
As always, the 2014 ’Zone included several changes to improve visitors’ learning experience. Space was substantially larger than past events. Information in stations was updated to include new products and services and displays were made more visually appealing and easier to understand. The popular Sewer History and Pipe Artifacts Exhibit again was positioned just inside the RehabZone’s entrance.
A variation of the popular demonstrations in the RehabZone Live area included hour-long technology demonstrations, many including hands-on “test drives” for participating attendees.
“It’s easier to get an understanding and perspective of a technology by actually using it,” said Leslie. “The presentation/demonstration/test drive area was very successful and we will continue to develop the concept.”
Companies participating were LMK Technologies, RS Technical Services, Permaliner, Reline America, Rapidview IBAK, ADS Inserta Tee, Pipeline Renewal Technologies, Danby and Southern Trenchless.
Valuable info
The 2014 UCT show was the first for Rodney McClain, director of public utilities for the Stoney Creek Sanitary District, Woodstock. VA. McClain said he was impressed with the overall show and the RehabZone.
“It’s good to learn about the technologies available to help deal with work we do every day,” he said. “We were interested in exploring the options for manhole rehabilitation work we have scheduled. At the RehabZone we were able to learn about available methods.”
Grant Whittle, technical sales and marketing, Reline American, said the RehabZone is a primary reason his company participates in UCT. “Prospective customers,” he explained, “go through the RehabZone to see all the technologies side by side. It is a great resource.”
Brian Dorwart, P.E., P.G., Brierley Associates, Bedford, NH, visits the RehabZone every year. “This year,” he said, “I was interested in seeing how one particular device works, and the demonstration in the RehabZone showed me that. When I specify a technology for a project, I need to know that it will perform as expected to successfully accomplish what needs to be done. That’s what I get out of the RehabZone.”
The RehabZone is sponsored by NASSCO in cooperation with the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Trenchless Installation of Pipelines and Pipeline Infrastructure Systems technical committee, the Water Environment Federation’s Collection System Committee and Underground Construction magazine. It is funded by sponsoring organizations and participating companies.
Chairman for the 2014 Zone was Daniel Magill, president of Avanti International, a manufacturer of grout products. Magill also served as chairman for the 2013 event.
“Sponsors are the backbone of the RehabZone and without sponsors and dedicated volunteers, the RehabZone could not be held each year,” said Leslie. “We have had a core group of volunteers every year who stand-up and devote their time and effort for the betterment of our industry. As a vendor, I recognize that to share information, often including that of competitors, is unusual in any market, but each year we do it at the RehabZone, and that’s one of many things that sets the RehabZone apart from any other industry event.”
Leslie, southern region sales manager for Rapidview IBAK, will be chairman for the 2015 RehabZone, also in Houston.
“Planning already is under way with groundwork started at NASSCO’S annual meeting right after UCT,” said Leslie. “As it is each year, the goal is to make the next RehabZone even better.”
SIDEBAR
2014 RehabZone Sponsors
Platinum:
LMK Technologies
ADS/Inserta Tee
Danby
Perma-Liner Industries
Pipeline Renewal Technologies
RapidView
Reline America
Gold:
Aries Industries
Avanti International
Cretex Specialty Products
CUES
Duke’s Root Control
ProPipe/Professional Pipe Services
R. S. Technical Services
Southern Trenchless Solutions
WBE Dorcas
Silver:
AP/M Permaform
Doetsch Environmental
National Liner
New Phase Marketing
SAK Construction
SpectraShield Liner Systems
Visu-Sewer
FOR MORE INFO:
RehabZone: www.uctonline.com; www.rehabzone.org
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