December 2015 Vol. 70 No. 12
Rehabilitation
RehabZone Embraces Influx Of Participants, Ideas
The RehabZone has been a vital element of the annual Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT) for many years and planners of the next “Zone” are excited to be returning to Atlanta in 2016.
UCT and the RehabZone will be held Feb. 3-4 at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. Special pre-show programs will be held Feb. 1-2.
The RehabZone is a “show within a show” on UCT’s exhibit floor, and its “no-sell” format is the only event in the industry that takes this unique approach of providing objective information with generic presentations without selling or promoting individual products.
Enthusiasm is high among the volunteers who undertake the massive chore of planning and manning the stations of the RehabZone, said Guy Leslie, RehabZone chairman.
“What seems different this year,” said Leslie, who has longtime experience with the event, “is we’ve had people coming to us to be sure they are involved – we haven’t had to go looking for volunteer workers. This says a lot about the value of the RehabZone and its benefits to the industry – no one wants to waste time on something that doesn’t matter.”
The 2016 RehabZone will follow its proven format. The always-popular Historic Sewer and Pipe Artifacts Exhibit will be just inside the Zone’s entrance. Information stations in the RehabZone include the NASSCO Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP) and Inspector Training Certification Program (ITCP), closed circuit television (CCTV), bypass pumping, sectional CIPP lining, joint and seal repairs, water main lining, lateral lining, grouting, root control, manhole linings and coatings, emerging technologies and much more.
At the end of the route through the various stations will be the live demonstration area and, of course, a table where visitors can pick up their annual commemorative RehabZone t-shirt.
Great location
Leslie believes Atlanta will bring increased attendance to the show and RehabZone.
“There have been many significant changes in the industry since we were last in Atlanta,” he said. “Many municipalities have travel restrictions, and 2016 offers a convenient venue for those in the Atlanta metro area and throughout the South and Atlantic coast.”
Atlanta also is convenient to utilities and contractors throughout the Northeast, he added.
Sponsors of the RehabZone are NASSCO (National Association of Sewer Service Companies) in cooperation with the Underground Engineering and Surveying Institute (UESI, an institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers), ASCE’s Trenchless Installation of Pipelines and Pipeline Infrastructure Systems technical committee, the Water Environment Federation’s Collection System Committee, and Underground Construction magazine. The RehabZone is funded by donations from participating companies.
“A focus area of NASSCO’s Strategic Plan is to provide quality training and technical resources,” said Ted DeBoda, P.E., NASSCO executive director. “As we approach NASSCO’s 40th anniversary, nothing illustrates NASSCO’s mission better than the RehabZone.”
DeBoda said the RehabZone is the premier showcase for trenchless assessment and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure, not only due to the “no-sell” environment, but primarily because of the cooperation and contributions of technology vendors.
“These volunteers,” said DeBoda, “who compete outside of the zone, work together to foster a learning environment like none other to support the industry as a whole.”
Leslie, whose “day job” is Rapidview sales manager for the Southern United States and Caribbean, will complete his second consecutive term as RehabZone chairman. He too credits the selfless work of volunteers for the continuing success and growth of the RehabZone.
“There’s always a place for volunteers,” said Leslie, “and there are many ways to get involved: sponsorships, volunteering as an expert, loaning equipment for display and more. Anyone interested can contact me, gleslie@rapidview.com, or Heather Myers at NASSCO, heather@nassco.org.”
“We expect this to be the most interactive and hands on RehabZone to date,” concluded DeBoda.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
uctonline.com
rehabzone.org
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