February 2024 Vol. 79 No. 2
Features
HDD Reunion, Hall of Fame celebration to be held at UIC
The biannual Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Reunion and HDD Hall of Fame celebration will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at the Oklahoma City Convention Center in conjunction with the Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC). During the conference at the Reunion reception, there will be a formal recognition of the HDD Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
Underground Infrastructure magazine and the Horizontal Directional Drilling Association (HDDA) are the primary sponsors of both the reunion and hall of fame. The HDDA is a technology-focused association dedicated to the growth, professionalism and safe practices of HDD. UI is the leading publication for construction, rehabilitation and asset management of the underground infrastructure.
This highly anticipated event provides a unique opportunity for drillers of all generations to reunite in the historically perfect environment for HDD networking, education and vision provided by UIC (formerly UCT). The show has always been the primary event to support, embrace, educate and share vital information for drillers of all ages, job levels and company sizes and continues that role today.
In addition to the reunion and hall of fame, Underground Infrastructure and the HDDA have partnered to develop powerful education sessions as part of the primary program on Tuesday, March 19, and Wednesday, March 20. Sessions include small rig and big rig contractor panels, technology discussions and project reviews. Also included will be a special, interactive panel with the Hall of Fame Class members and representatives.
Contractors, engineers and owners flock to UIC to learn from the industry’s most extensive HDD educational program, “kick the tires” on new equipment and network with their peers. Overall, the reunion and hall of fame ceremonies create networking opportunities for established, new, older or even retired drillers to swap stories, compare and contrast early equipment with modern tools, share experiences and renew and sustain old friendships.
Those new to the industry will find the information and knowledge they gain extremely useful in their current jobs. The event encompasses all those who have participated in the industry throughout the years including contractors, owners, engineers and manufacturers no matter the rig size, from jumbo to mini units.
Other reunion activities currently scheduled are a special networking reception on Wednesday, March 20 at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. Beginning shortly after the exhibit hall closes, the reception will run from 4:45 –7:00 p.m. During the party, the 2024 Hall of Fame Class will be formally introduced.
Don Riggs of Future Infrastructure and president of the HDDA, stressed that “nothing has made a greater impact on underground utility construction than HDD. Since its introduction in the late 1980s, directional drilling reinvented the way distribution power, gas, CATV and telecom are replaced in our communities. This new method greatly reduced overall cost, time of construction, and environmental impact.”
“Since the HDD Reunion and Hall of Fame started, people who attend walk away ready for the next one,” said UI Editor-in-Chief Robert Carpenter. “That’s a tribute to the close-knit network of people involved with HDD. As the markets continue to expand, the Reunion, Hall of Fame and educational program present unique opportunities to interact with peers and honor key industry innovators.”
As the underground infrastructure industry enters 2024, the HDD industry, despite booming fiber and power markets, faces many challenges such as workforce and lingering supply chain issues. Small rig operators can’t seem to complete jobs fast enough while large rig operators are still struggling to develop alternatives to the depressed pipeline market.
However, overall HDD remains a highly popular, effective and amazingly efficient method to install everything from steel pipe to fiber conduit. HDD continues to experience geometric growth, as virtually every market segment for underground utility and pipeline infrastructure construction heavily utilizes the technology. Clearly, a tremendous future lies ahead.
To attend UIC and/or register for the HDD Reunion, please go to ui-conference.com/registration. For questions, contact Karen Francis, karen@undergroundinfrastructure.com, office (713) 520-4450, cell (713) 487-5676.
If your company would like to participate as a sponsor for the HDD Reunion and Hall of Fame, contact Josh Allen at josh@undergroundinfrastructure.com, (832) 922-9018 or
HDD Legends to be Inducted into Hall of Fame
The HDD Hall of Fame Class of 2024 will be honored at the Underground Infrastructure Conference March 19-20 at the Oklahoma City Convention Center:
Steve Akerman, Founder, Akerman Construction and C & S Directional Boring
Mary Andringa, Chair Emeritus, Vermeer Corporation
Jim Agnew, Vice President, INROCK, Directional Drilling
Marcus Laney (deceased), former partner and president of Laney Inc.
Ed Malzahn (deceased), former chairman of Charles Machine Works Inc. (Ditch Witch)
Curtis Howard Allen (deceased), Regional Sales Manager, Baroid (Halliburton)
Industry Support
To make this special HDD Reunion and Hall of Fame possible, leading HDD companies are stepping up to sponsor the event and support their friends and customers.
To date, sponsors include:
Underground Infrastructure/ UIC
JT Miller
E&M Supply Group
Ditch Witch
InRock
Adtech Motors
Vermeer
Brownline
Miller Pipeline
DrilRite
To become an HDD Reunion Sponsor or exhibit at UIC, contact Josh Allen, (832) 922-9018, josh@undergroundinfrastructure.com or Karen Francis at (713) 487-5676, karen@undergroundinfrastructure.com.
HDD Reunion, Hall of Fame Schedule at UIC
Tuesday, March 19
- HDD Educational Program, 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
- Exhibits open, 10:30 a.m. – 1:45 p.m.; 3:30 – 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, March 20
- HDD Educational Program, 8 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
- HDD Large Rig Contractors Roundtable, 8 – 9 a.m.
- HDD Small Rig Contractors Roundtable, 9 – 10 a.m.
- HDD Hall of Fame Conversations in the Exhibit Hall, 11a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Exhibits open, 10:30 – 1:45 p.m.; 3:30 – 4:45 p.m.
- HDD Reunion, 5 – 6:30 p.m. including introduction of 2024 HDD Hall of Fame Honorees Thursday, March 21
- Exhibits open, 9 – 11:30 a.m.
For more information, visit UI-Conference.com.
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