September 2022 Vol. 77 No. 9
Features
UCT Opens Registration for Orlando Event, Industry-Leading Education Program Announced
As 2023 nears and the underground infrastructure industry eyes emerging opportunities for the new year, registration has officially opened for the Underground Construction Technology Conference & Exhibition (UCT) – the leading educational and exhibition event to provide essential intelligence, information and business leads.
Slated for Feb. 7–9, 2023, the annual UCT will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., the first time the show has journeyed to this popular location. UCT organizers are thrilled to be bringing the comprehensive suite of education and learning opportunities to this area.
“Because this location is so popular, it is always extremely difficult to secure facilities in Orlando,” said UCT Convention Director Karen Francis. “Due to rescheduling from the pandemic years, the convention center reached out to us with a perfect match for our needs in 2023.”
The UCT exhibitors and early registration are trending substantially ahead of the 2022 event, which was held in Fort Worth, Texas, last January. “As we continue to move past the pandemic, we’ve seen increasing growth and more of a return to normal,” Francis observed.
“UCT 2022 attendance was up 60 percent compared to 2021. We expect another huge jump in 2023 and clearly exhibitors are extremely excited about new and exciting business prospects, as well, especially with influx of additional funding via the Infrastructure Bill.”
The host hotel is the Rosen Plaza, which is adjacent to the convention center and easily walkable.
All about education
UCT’s highly respected educational program will again include a carefully crafted mix of panels, presentations and roundtable discussions, all in an interactive format. Emerging technology sessions will keep attendees up-to-date on the latest product developments aiding in the construction and rehabilitation challenges being faced daily by contractors, owners and engineers.
New this year will be a special edition of the NASSCO Exchange, a focused series of presentations geared to share and exchange concepts and advancements impacting the underground infrastructure industry.
As always, the UCT educational program is designed to provide valuable and essential information to attendees that can immediately benefit them in the work environments.
“There is still nothing else like it in the industry,” said UCT Program Director Robert Carpenter. “It’s like the old saying: ‘often imitated but never duplicated.’ UCT sets the bar for educational endeavors in the marketplace.”
Details of the program are being uploaded to the website at UCTonline.com.
RehabZone returns
RehabZone™ will be presented in Orlando, for the first time, bringing its own style of “magic” to UCT. A rehabilitation industry event held exclusively at UCT, this original, hands-on, interactive educational experience is basically an “exhibit within the exhibit,” as equipment, videos and posters lead attendees through an in-depth tour of rehabilitation technologies.
RehabZone is officially a no-sell zone, but experts do staff the massive ’Zone to provide generic and beneficial information regarding technology, rehab applications or anything else in designing and executing rehabilitation projects. For more specific details about technology or equipment, attendees are able to pursue information in the exhibit hall. Also, RehabZone includes live demonstrations and the famous Cutter Challenge.
Your tour through the vast RehabZone includes a printed “Technology Guide.” This valuable guide features outlines of current technologies available to the industry and displayed at the ’Zone. Its pocket-size is designed for attendees’ convenience, to refer to during your RehabZone tour and later follow-up.
The RehabZone is funded annually through the generous sponsorships of active trenchless rehabilitation companies. These sponsors – platinum, gold or silver level – are showcased in the Technology Guide.
UCA: The Big Event
The Underground Construction Awards (UCA) will be held on Feb. 6, in conjunction with UCT. These awards represent a special occasion to reward accomplishments and people of the underground infrastructure industry in a unique, personal and deserving fashion.
This program isn’t about pomp and circumstance. Rather, it’s all about creating a respectful and appropriate setting to honor outstanding deeds and performances for all underground markets. The inaugural UCA has been created to achieve all that and more.
Among the award categories attracting the most interest are Emerging Technologies of the Year, Rehabilitation Project of the Year, Rising Star of the Year, and Energy Pipeline Project of the Year. The program will recognize accomplishments, projects and technology advances that have made a significant impact on the market.
The UCAs will be the best opportunity of 2023 to truly recognize and honor the preeminent projects and people of this grand, underground infrastructure industry in which we all participate and call home.
For more information about attending the event, go to UC-Awards.com. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Josh.Allen@UCONonline.com or Jenna.Rutan@GulfEnergyInfo.com.
Contacts
UCT will represent the best opportunity in 2023 to learn, network and conduct business for the underground infrastructure markets. Don’t miss the best chance of the year to reach the right customers with a booth or key sponsorship at UCT.
From trenchless to open-cut, attendees engage in every aspect of the underground infrastructure industry, including contractors, engineers, owner/operators and manufacturers and suppliers. Prominent industry decision makers and leaders attend UCT to network and learn from their peers, the educational program and expansive exhibit hall.
To secure your prime booth location, contact Josh.Allen@UCONonline.com or Jenna.Rutan@GulfEnergyInfo.com.
To register for UCT or reserve a room at the host hotel, check out the UCT website at UCTonline.com. To become a UCT sponsor or for more general information, contact Karen Francis at kfrancis@UCTonline.com.
TopGolf Event Slated at UCT
In conjunction with UCT, the Underground Construction Technology Association (UCTA) is hosting a TopGolf Infrastructure Extravaganza from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7. An evening of great sport, food and networking will be the perfect wrap-up for the first day of UCT.
TopGolf features high-tech, climate-controlled hitting bays, making this an ideal outing for golf enthusiasts. However, even if you are not a golfer, you can select the “networking/food-only” option when registering and still enjoy a great evening with your peers.
Sponsorships are available, with proceeds benefitting the UCTA scholarship program.
The deadline for registration is Jan. 30. However, it is recommended to register early, as space is limited to the first 100 golfers. For more information on becoming a sponsor or to register, visit the UCTA website: uctaonline.org.
More Reasons to Attend UCT
- Fantastic location (Orlando, Fla.) – especially in winter!
- The underground infrastructure’s leading industry program has been setting the benchmark for education since 1995.
- Earn valuable PDHs/CEUs by attending UCT’s celebrated program.
- Learn from the best industry teachers – your peers –at the large UCT exhibition, replete with many networking opportunities.
- The RehabZone is a non-partisan “show within a show”
Exhibitor Corner
UCT offers the most powerful, productive platform for you to conduct business with other like-minded professionals servicing the underground utility infrastructure.
Exhibiting puts you alongside industry-leading companies showcasing their equipment and technologies to attendees from a cross-section of the industry. The business-building event attracts attendees at a convenient time of year – before construction is in full-swing.
Whether you are looking to build strategic partnerships, unveil new equipment or technologies, attend educational sessions and/or network with key industry people during one business trip, UCT is where you should be.
For more information on how your company can become an exhibitor, connect with Josh.Allen@ucononline.com or Jenna.Rutan@GulfEnergyInfo.com.
The entire supply chain is represented!
EXHIBITORS as of Aug. 24 BOOTH
ACOUSTICAL CONTROL LLC 717
AEGION-INSITUFORM TECHNOLOGIES LLC-UNDERGROUND SOLUTIONS INC. 707
AKKERMAN INC. 715
APPLIED FELTS-MAXLINER-FERRATEX 527
ATLANTIC SUPPLY 407
AVANTI INTERNATIONAL 436 & RehabZone
BALLANTINE 625
BESTOLIFE CORPORATION 636
BROWNLINE USA INC 615
BUCKHORN PUMPS INC 525
BUZZI UNICEM USA INC 217
CCI PIPING SYSTEMS 410A
CHANNELINE INTERNATIONAL 409
COMPOSITE ACCESS PRODUCTS (CAP) 410C
CONTECH ENGINEERED SOLUTIONS 415
CRETEX SPECIALTY PRODUCTS 606 & RehabZone
CUES INC. 403 & RehabZone
DANBY PVC LINING 507
DSI UNDERGROUND 418
E&M SUPPLY GROUP 602
EMAGINEERED SOLUTIONS INC. 332
GAJESKE INC. 405
HARD ROCK DIRECTIONAL DRILLING 614
HCSS 427
HERRENKNECHT TUNNELLING SYSTEMS 705
HI-VAC CORPORATION 624
HK SOLUTIONS GROUP 437
HOBAS PIPE USA 514
HTS PIPE CONSULTANTS 516
INDUMAR PRODUCTS INC. 517
INFINITY TOOL MANUFACTURING 718
INNOVATIONS AMPLIFIED 227
INTERPLASTIC CORP. 524
LADTECH INC. 410B
LOGAN CLAY PRODUCTS LLC. 702
LOGIBALL INC. 424
MADEWELL PRODUCTS CORP 402
MARTLIN DISTRIBUTING LLC. 737
MCELROY MANUFACTURING INC. 503
MILLER PIPELINE 600
MI-TECH SERVICES INC. 536
NR REAMERS 406
NUFLOW TECHNOLOGIES 333
OX ONSITE 700
PERMALOK - A Northwest Pipe Company 534
PIONEER ONE INC. 714
PIPELINE RENEWAL TECHNOLOGIES 530
PPG/RAVEN LINING SYSTEMS 706
PRIME RESINS 422
PRISUM TECHNOLOGIES 518
ProKASRO Services USA Inc. 236
RIEBERLOK 302
R-TEXTILES LLC 433
SAERTEX MULTICOM LP 711 & RehabZone
SAK CONSTRUCTION LLC RehabZone
SAUEREIESEN INC. 626
SEALING SYSTEMS INC. 300
SEWERAI CORPORATION RehabZone
SEWPER COAT AN IMERYS BRAND 618
SPRAYROQ INC 417
STANDARD CEMENT MATERIALS 526
STRUCTURAL TECHNOLOGIES 303
SUNBELT RENTALS 619
THE STRONG COMPANY INC. 432
TRUMBULL MFG 604
UNDERGROUND MAGNETICS 726
UNI-BELL PVC PIPE ASSOCIATION 510
UNITED RENTALS 502
WESTLAKE PIPE & FITINGS (FORMERLY NAPCO PIPE & FITTINGS) 805
CUIRE Pre-UCT Infrastructure Schools Scheduled
The Center for Underground Infrastructure Research & Education (CUIRE), at the University of Texas at Arlington, will hold its 21st Annual Pipeline and Trenchless Technology Training and Certification Schools, in conjunction with UCT, on Monday, Feb. 6 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. This year’s pre-show program includes Pipes, Advanced HDD, Microtunneling/Pilot Tube, and Spray Applied Pipe Lining
Co-sponsored by Underground Construction magazine, each half-day school qualifies for 0.4 CEUs and 4 PDHs through the University of Texas at Arlington. For more information on these sessions and to register for early bird discounts, contact CUIRE at (817) 272-9177, cuire@uta.edu, or visit uta.engineering/cuireschools.
Pipe Schools
8 a.m.–Noon
Rigid and Steel Pipes: This school will cover applications, capabilities, manufacturing, standards, advantages, and limitations of steel and rigid pipes, such as clay and concrete, and new developments in these pipe materials and joining systems.
1–5 p.m.
Flexible Pipes: This school will cover the applications, capabilities, manufacturing, standards, advantages and limitations of flexible pipes, such as ductile iron, PVC, HDPE, fiberglass and polypropylene, and new developments in these pipe materials and joining systems.
Advanced Horizontal Directional Drilling Schools
8 a.m.–Noon
Planning and Design: Planning and design of large, mid- and small-size HDD projects from inception to closeout and delivery. The school will include talks on pipe loads, bore planning, drilling fluids and case studies.
1–5 p.m.
Construction Considerations: This school will include construction projects of all sizes, plus tracking, tooling, and locating and case studies.
Pilot Tube and Microtunneling School
8 a.m.–Noon
This school will cover planning, design, and construction of Microtunneling Methods (MT) and Pilot Tube and other Guided Boring Methods (PTGBM) and will include case studies. A discussion of new ASCE Microtunneling Standards and Manual of Practice on PTGBM will be presented by the authors.
Spray Applied Pipe Lining (SAPL) School
1–5 p.m.
This school will cover the application of Spray Applied Pipe Linings (SAPLs) for water, sewer (sanitary and storm), and oil and gas. Information on polymeric and cementitious/geopolymer SAPLs, such as planning and design, material properties, surface preparation, installation methods, and performance specifications, will be provided. UC
What to See and Do in Orlando
After a day filled with learning and networking, you will want to unwind in the city that boasts tons of unique experiences for all.
But first, you’ll need to get there. More than 35 airlines provide non-stop service to the Orlando International Airport (MCO), from over 150 destinations worldwide. MCO has one of the lowest average domestic airfares in the U.S., coupled with the headquarters hotel, the Rosen Plaza, connected to the convention center via a covered skybridge, attending UCT won’t bust your travel, entertainment and training budget.
Factor in a few days before and/or after UCT so you may enjoy some of the dazzling selections of theme parks, dining, shopping and outdoor adventures. Orlando offers adults plenty of opportunities for dining and fun. Visit UCTonline.com for details.
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