April 2021 Vol. 76 No. 4
Features
Getting Back to REAL Business
Planning for this summer’s Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT) at the Music City Center in Nashville is in full gear. The pre-UCT programs are on Monday, July 12 and the main program and exhibits are Tuesday, July 13 to Thursday, July 15.
UCT features interactive presentations and panel discussions led by industry experts. Attendees will receive actionable insights, for the construction and rehabilitation of the underground utility infrastructure, that can be immediately applied to projects in the office and the field. There’s an informative session for just about everyone involved in underground utilities.
Dedicated tracks for the sewer and water professional will include a look at the 50-year history of cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) and culminate with an evening reception honoring the industry’s pioneers. Horizontal directional drilling professionals will have a dedicated track, as well, and will see the return of the popular HDD Roundtable – a forum for candid conversations among contractors. Also, in the works, is the second-annual HDD Hall of Fame induction ceremony taking place during a special reception.
New for 2021 is the co-located UtiliTech Conference featuring a special education track and exhibits for the natural gas utility professional. Additional tracks in the main UCT educational program include Sewer Construction/Rehabilitation, WaterWorks, Laterals, Manholes, Pressure Pipe, Damage Prevention and Safety, Microtunneling/Boring and more. Program highlights can be found on the next pages. Updates will be available at UCTonline.com.
The summer date makes learning and interacting with your peers in a safer and healthy environment. Enjoy and benefit from everything UCT has to offer: an exhibit hall with equipment and technologies to experience first-hand, a quality education program taught by some of the best minds in the industry, and networking functions where you can exchange ideas with other professionals.
Get back to real business during the right show at the right time…UCT.
We look forward to seeing you in Nashville this summer!
Karen E. Francis
UCT Convention Director
Sessions for Your Success
UCT’s unmatched educational experience supports the business objectives of everyone involved in the construction and rehabilitation of the underground utility infrastructure. We are proud to present substantive content that brings value to attendees and exhibitors. The entire program qualifies for Professional Development Hours (PDHs)/Continuing Education Units (CEUs) granted by the University of Texas at Arlington.
Here are a few of the sessions, listed by track, that you can look forward to in July. The entire program will be available next month. Register now at UCTonline.com.
PARTIAL PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
Horizontal Directional Drilling
Attend “Driving Job-Site Efficiencies Through Better Data” and learn how utility contractors are using telematics and project planning tools to help drive efficiencies. Discover various ways to maximize efficacy of drilling mud, while decreasing costs during the “Cost and Environmental Impact of When and Where to use a Reclaimer” session. Hear about the latest HDD technological advancements by attending “Increasing Safety and Performance in HDD: Role of the Latest Developments.”
Microtunneling/Tunneling/Auger Boring
The impact on feasibility and planning of long drives in hard ground will be addressed in “Pushing Boundaries in Small-Diameter Hard Rock.” Sit in on a case study and get lessons learned from the use of pipe ramming to install a 72-inch diameter casing in “Pipe Ramming in Running Soil Conditions: Case Study in Northern Florida.”
Damage Prevention & Safety
In “Excavations don’t Have to be Big to Cause BIG Problems,” trench protection systems designed for smaller excavations will be presented. Best practices and techniques for safely and efficiently completing underground construction projects will be reviewed in “We’re in this Together: Everyone Plays an Important Role in Damage Mitigation.”
Sewer Construction and Rehabilitation
Factors for consideration when evaluating light-cured or thermal CIPP will be discussed in “Enlightened CIPP: Deciding When to use Light-Based Cure Versus Thermal.” Engineers will learn where to focus their efforts and attention in preparing point repair designs and owners will learn to appreciate the different risks in “Focal Points: What to Watch for in Sanitary Sewer Point Repair Design.”
New for 2021! UtiliTech Conference
The “Gas Pipeline Damage and Soil Gas Migration” session will use case histories to show the conditions that exist and what to know regarding soil gas migration from a gas leak. In “Demonstrate Commitment: Taking Safety from the Executive Office to the Frontline,” attendees will learn the cultural trademarks of world-class safety organizations, as well as integrating trust, consistency and accountability into a safety program.
2021 Most Valuable Professional
Join the sewer and water industry in honoring George Kurz, P.E., DEE, as the 2021 Most Valuable Professional of the underground infrastructure industry. The award, co-sponsored by the Underground Construction Technology Association (UCTA) and Underground Construction magazine, will be presented during a special luncheon on Tuesday, July 13.
Kurz, of Nashville, Tenn., has 43 years of experience in state and local government, sewer service contracting and consulting engineering. For 30 years, he has focused on the development of a strategic approach for eliminating infiltration and inflow (I&I) in municipal sewer systems and standardizing methods for measuring effectiveness of rehabilitation using flow monitoring.
A strong believer in industry education, you may recognize him from previous UCTs as he is a frequent presenter in the educational program and one of the industry experts in the RehabZone™. Kurz has also presented pre-show workshops on sewer rehabilitation strategies. All his presentations are renowned for comprehensive, in-depth and unique data delivered in a fun and informative manner.
Tickets for the luncheon and details on becoming a sponsor are available at the UCTA website, uctaonline.org.
Playing in Nashville
Combine your business trip to Nashville with a fun family getaway. Attractions run the gamut from one-of-a-kind cars at Lane Motor Museum to the Taylor Swift Education Center at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Several museums offer free admission for children and those of all ages can listen to live music for free along Honky Tonk Highway before 7 p.m. most nights.
Sit back and let Gray Line Tennessee take you on a sightseeing tour of Music City. See over 30 Nashville celebrity homes or take the night trolley, tour Civil War locations, or even take a trip to Graceland.
Looking for something out of the ordinary? Drive one hour north of Nashville to Bowling Green, Kentucky and experience the state’s only underground boat tour or soar through the treetops on the Flying Squirrel Zipline at Lost River Cave. America’s sportscar lovers can rejoice with a trip to the National Corvette Museum also located in Bowling Green.
We’ll include more for you to explore next month.
The UCT Difference…
- 45% lower full conference rate than our closest competitor
- More value for your education dollar
- Summer dates - safer time of year
- Targeted tracks help you find relevant sessions
- Productive platform to connect with customers
- CIPP networking function
- HDD Hall of Fame Reception
- Organized with you in mind!
Exhibiting at UCT and UtiliTech
UCT is the premier meeting place for business-minded professionals in the underground utility infrastructure market. The focus is on the total industry – trenchless and open-cut construction and rehabilitation. UtiliTech is for natural gas professionals seeking information on this segment of the industry.
Whether you are looking to build strategic partnerships, unveil new equipment, attend educational sessions and/or network with key industry professionals during one business trip, UCT and UtiliTech are your sources. UCT and UtiliTech offer the right information and relevant partners to expand your business and help make the deals that can change your business forever.
Through the conferences’ sister publications, Gas Utility, Underground Construction, Pipeline & Gas Journal, and Pipeline News; the conference website; and email campaigns, your participation will be promoted to more than 100,000 qualified subscribers – your customers!
Reach a diverse group of attendees from every segment of the industry, including contractors, engineering firms, damage prevention and safety management professionals, public works officials, telecommunications companies, natural gas utilities
and more.
Become an exhibitor or sponsor today. Contact Karen Francis at kfrancis@uctonline.com or visit uctonline.com for details.
Here are the exhibitors that have booths so far:
Exhibitors as of March 18, 2021 BOOTH
ACE PIPE CLEANING INC.2 641N
ACOUSTICAL CONTROL, LLC 735N
AEGION CORPORATION 605N
AKKERMAN 528N
AP EQUIPMENT FINANCING 603N
APPLIED FELTS / MAXLINER 741N
ARMOROCK 216N
AVANTI INTERNATIONAL3 845N
BALLANTINE 312N
BAROID INDUSTRIAL DRILLING PRODUCTS 508N
BIT BROKERS INTERNATIONAL 705N
BROWNLINE USA INC. 411N
BUCKHORN PUMPS INC. 622N
C.K. MASONRY CO. INC. 409N
CARTACOUSTICS 355N
CCI PIPING SYSTEMS 601N
CHANNELINE INTERNATIONAL 425N
CIPP CORPORATION 645N
CONTAINMENT SOLUTIONS INC. 340N
CONTECH ENGINEERED SOLUTIONS 323N
CRETEX SPECIALTY PRODUCTS3 218N
CUES INC.6 404N
DANBY, LLC 303N
DERRICK CORPORATION 613N
DIGITAL CONTROL INC 408N
DOETSCH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES 944N
DSI TUNNELING LLC 716N
DUKE'S ROOT CONTROL INC. 841N
E&M SUPPLY GROUP LLC 513N
ELGIN SEPARATION SOLUTIONS 502N
EMAGINEERED SOLUTIONS INC. 540N
ENVIROCON SYSTEMS INC. 405N
EVOLUTION DRILLING TOOLS 609N
GRANITE INLINER 311N
HARDROCK DIRECTIONAL DRILLING 516N
HERRENKNECHT TUNNELLING SYSTEMS 517N
HI-VAC CORPORATION 618N
HOBAS PIPE USA 422N
HOLLY PIPE CORP 523N
HTS PIPE CONSULTANTS 318N
HYDRABED 337N
HYDROMAX USA 701N
ICS, BLOUNT INC. 234N
IMERYS 722N
INDUMAR PRODUCTS INC. 700N
INROCK DRILLING SYSTEMS INC. 504N
INTERPLASTIC CORP. 522N
IPEX USA LLC 535N
J.T. MILLER LLC 400N
JM EAGLE 217N
LOGAN CLAY PRODUCTS LLC. 529N
M J PAINTING CONTRACTOR CORP. 628N
MADEWELL PRODUCTS CORP.3 and 6 738N
MCELROY MANUFACTURING CO. 301N
MICHELS CORPORATION3
MILLER PIPELINE 510N
MI-TECH SERVICES INC. 204N
NATIONAL LINER 945N
NATIONAL TRENCH SAFETY 329N
NORTH AMERICAN RESCUE 403N
NR REAMERS 612N
NUFLOW TECHNOLOGIES 544N
OBIC LLC. 209N
PIONEER ONE INC. 417N
PIPELINE RENEWAL TECHNOLOGIES 541N
PROKASRO SERVICES USA INC.5 401N
PURPLE WAVE AUCTION 338N
RAILHEAD UNDERGROUND PRODUCTS LLC 711N
RELINE AMERICA INC. 200N
SAERTEX multiCom LP4 308N
SAPPHIRE GAS SOLUTIONS1 244N
SAUEREISEN INC. 509N
SEALING SYSTEMS INC. 423N
SPECTRASHIELD LINER SYSTEMS 309N
SPRAYROQ INC. 617N
STANDARD CEMENT MATERIALS INC. 823N
STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES 704N
SUBSURFACE INSTRUMENTS 709N
SUNBELT RENTALS INC.5 317N
SUPER PRODUCTS LLC4 647N
TRENCHLESS RENTAL SOLUTIONS 440N
TRIFLO INTERNATIONAL 616N
TUFFROD 428N
UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION 231N
UNDERGROUND MAGNETICS INC 608N
UNDERGROUND TOOLS INC. 623N
UNI-BELL PVC PIPE ASSOCIATION 412N
UNIVERSAL HDD 501N
VACTOR MANUFACTURING INC4 647N
VERMEER CORPORATION 500N
VERSAFLEX / RAVEN LINING SYSTEMS 836N
WARREN ENVIRONMENTAL 316N
1 UtiliTech Platinum Sponsor
2 UCT Sponsor
3 I&I Sponsor
4 RehabZone Platinum Sponsor
5 RehabZone Gold Sponsor
6 RehabZone Silver Sponsor
Build Your Connections at These Special Events
Fun networking functions are in the development stages that can help you build your customer relationships and catch up with industry friends. In addition to the MVP luncheon, two CIPP pioneers will be honored during an evening reception commemorating the 50th anniversary of the first liner installation. Gather with industry professionals on Tuesday, July 13 to discuss how the technology has revolutionized the rehabilitation industry. Details will be announced soon.
Join the HDD industry during the second HDD Hall of Fame induction ceremony, where industry innovators Ron Halderman and Bob Westphal will be honored posthumously. The ceremony and reception take place on Wednesday, July 14. Tickets for the reception are $25; add one to your UCT registration today!
Sponsorships for this event are available by contacting Jenna Rutan at jrutan@uctonline.com.
Stay tuned for more networking events to be announced next month.
To register for the event, please visit the UCT website.
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