15TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXPO 2010
The PDCA has announced the 15th Annual International Conference and Expo 2010 at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa and the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center, Savannah, GA. The conference is scheduled for Tuesday through Thursday, April 26-28, 2011.
The PDCA is excited about this upcoming conference, but we are not the only ones! PDCA members who want to attend the conference, exhibit their products and services, and sponsor events have all begun sending in their Registration Forms. They are reserving booth space, securing sponsorships, registering employees, spouse, and friends so they don’t miss out on what will certainly be a spectacular program of industry, networking, and social events.
The conference brochure and registration form can be downloaded from the PDCA website, by clicking on the link below:
Conference attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of programs, some traditional to the PDCA and some new for the first time this year. Events include the Opening Ceremony, with keynote speaker, David Limbaugh; 10 hard-hitting, industry relevant general session presentations; the latest technology, services and products available in the driven pile/deep foundations industry provided by more than 50 exhibitors; and plenty of time for networking and socializing during the evening receptions and other social events. So, whether you are in the industry, part of the fun-filled Companion’s Program, playing in the PDCA 3rd annual golf tournament, or just enjoying old friends and colleagues in Savannah next to the Savannah River front you will have plenty of time to relax and enjoy your visit to Savannah.
Don’t forget the Annual Dinner and Dance on Thursday evening, April 28. This entertaining program will feature a hosted bar and light hors d'oeuvre, an abundant and diverse buffet dinner, topped off with an evening of dancing.
This year’s themed Annual Dinner and Dance will be “TAILGATE”! Whether you’re an ACC, SEC, PAC10, Big 12, Big 10 or NFL, MLB, NHL, or Pop Warner, you can dawn your favorite jersey, uniform, or hat and come equipped for a casual evening or entertainment and fun. 1st and 2nd place Best Dressed, Unique, or Funniest outfits win a Home Depot Gift Card.
Visit all the Exhibitor and WIN BIG MONEY. The PDCA will hold a special contest designed to feature all exhibitors. If you get a “Visited” stamp from every exhibitor attending the conference, your name will be entered into the Exhibitor Contest. PDCA will present the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners (pulled from the “hat” at random) with a Visa Gift Card in the amounts of $500.00, $300.00 and $200.00, respectively. The PDCA will also hold a buffet luncheon in the Exhibit Hall on Thursday, April 28, so you can meet and talk to the exhibitors over a casual lunch. The PDCA will also provide a Continental Breakfast, Mid-Morning and Afternoon Breaks in the Exhibit Hall each day to further promote interaction between attendees and exhibitors.
The well attended and fun Companions Program will treat spouses and guests to some very special events including a continental breakfast with the Victorian Lady dressed in period attire telling stories about the ladies, gentlemen and ghosts of Savannah, lunch at the historic Olde Pink House, Spa treatments at the Westin’s world-class spa facilities, afternoon luncheon on the lawn by the Savannah River, tour of Savannah’s River Street and a short sightseeing cruise on the river. All Companion Program participants are invited to join in all conference activities.
SILENT AUCTION:
The PDCA will conduct a SILENT AUCTION during the annual conference. The Silent Auction items will be on display in the Exhibit Hall for viewing and bidding. The auction will conclude on Thursday evening, April 28, following the reception for the Annual Dinner and Dance program. Winners will be announced after dinner. The PDCA is soliciting items for the auction. If you or your company has any items they would like to contribute to the auction, please contact the PDCA office at 888-311-PDCA (7322).
The PDCA would like to thank the companies who have already signed up as Event Sponsors. They include:
Opening Ceremony – 1 remaining sponsorship available
American Piledriving Equipment
Herbert F. Darling, Inc.
Companion’s Program – remaining sponsorships available
Piling, Inc.
Robishaw Engineering, Inc.
Name Badges – Closed Out
International Construction Equipment – ICE
Business and Awards Luncheon – remaining sponsorships available
International Construction Equipment – ICE
Guest Room Key Cards – Closed Out
Hydraulic Power Systems, Inc.
Continental Breakfast and Breaks – remaining sponsorships available
Liebherr Nenzing Crane Co.
Opening & Evening Receptions – remaining sponsorships available
Link-Belt Construction Equipment Co.
L. B. Foster Company
Unsponsored as of this time:
Platinum
Annual Reception and Dinner
Annual Dinner Dance Band
The PDCA would like to thank the companies who have already signed up as Exhibitors. They include:
L. B. Foster Company
Sun Marine Maintance, Inc.
International Construction Equipment - ICE
Atlantic Wood Industries / Atlantic Metrocast
Pile Dynamics, Inc.
Pile Hammer Equipment
Atlas Tube
Goble PileTest
JD Fields & Company, Inc.
Link-Belt Construction Equipment, Inc.
Cox Industries
Skyline Steel Company
R. W. Conklin Steel
Interpipe
American Piledriving Equipment
HOTEL INFORMATION
Savannah, Georgia is a beautiful and historic southern city.April is always spectacular, with comfortable day and night time temperatures averaging 66 degrees and less than 3”of rainfall during the month.
The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa (www.westinsavannah.com) is located on Hutchinson Island overlooking the Savannah River.The Westin just completed a $10 million renovation with all new guest rooms, meeting rooms,public spaces and features state-of-the-art amenities with old South charm.
Accommodations at The Westin offer welcome technology and luxurious appointments against the restful backdrop of the historic Savannah River Street and the PGA Championship course, The Club at Savannah Harbor.Complete property renovations feature state-of-the-art modernized guestroom, such as the Heavenly Bed, Heavenly baths with dual shower heads and back-lit mirrors, 42” LCD flat panel TVs, fully-integrated multi-media connectivity center, high speed internet, The PDCA has secured a special conference room rate of $189.00 per night.Reservations are on your own and must be made by April 1, 2011, by calling the Westin Central Reservation Office in the continental U.S. or Canada or you can conveniently book, modify or cancel a reservation online.
· Reservation must be made on your own
· Reservation Deadline for the Special Conference Rate – April 21, 2011
· Call toll-free to make reservations – 1-800-228-3000
· Reservations online – place the following link into the browser
http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/StarGroupsWeb/booking/reservation?id=1009286099&key=98193
PROJECT OF THE YEAR AWARD
CALL FOR ENTRIES
ENTRY DEADLINE CHANGED TO MARCH 11, 2011
The PDCA is proud to announce the 2011 “Project of the Year” award competition.
To view, download and print an Project of the Year Entry Form, click on the link below or copy and paste the link in your browser:
index.cfm/p/files/fid/da5d59ca-ea1c-4b24-917f-47d02e68a3b7.pdf
The PDCA is dedicated to acknowledging the hard work, ingenuity and commitment that goes into each project where driven piles are used in a deep foundation or earth retention system or utilized to solve foundation problems.The Project of the Year Award is a PDCA tradition, honoring excellence in driven pile projects completed by PDCA members in good standing.
Through the “Project of the Year” award, the PDCA has the distinguished opportunity to continue its long-standing and consistent commitment to recognize those PDCA members who demonstrate excellence in the practice of providing solutions, services and products to the needs of the deep foundation and earth retention environment.
Project entries must feature projects completed in 2010.Project entries will be awarded in two entry categories and three dollar volume categories.The two entry categories are distinguished by either “Land-based” or “Marine-based” projects.The dollar volume categories are “Less than $500,000.00, $500,000.00 - $2 Million, and Greater than $2 Million.Price ranges are based solely on the dollar volume of the piling contract associated with the project.
Entry forms are available for downloading on the PDCA website, www.piledrivers.org or you can use the form provided in this edition of PileDriver magazine.
The PDCA is asking each member to consider submitting a project worthy of this prestigious PDCA award..The 2011 Project of the Year Award entry deadline is:
Friday, March 11, 2011
Winning entries will be announced during the 2011 PDCA Annual Conference and Expo, The Westin, Savannah, GA during the PDCA Business and Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, April 27, 2011.PDCA will NOT reveal the winning entries prior to the luncheon.
Winning entries will be featured in the 2011 PileDrivermagazines and on the PDCA website.Winning entries will also be asked to present a PowerPoint presentation on your project at the 16th Annual International Conference and Expo 2012.
PDCA looks forward to receiving your entries – GOOD LUCK!
PDCA ELECTS 2011 -2012 OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
The ballots have been returned and votes cast for the 2011 – 2012 PDCA Board of Directors. The following individuals were elected by the members to serve your association:
President – Buck Darling, Herbert F. Darling, Inc.
Vice President – Dave Chapman, Blakeslee, Arpaia, Chapman
Secretary – Rusty Signor, Signor Enterprises
Treasurer – John Linscott, H. B. Fleming
Immediate Past President – Don Dolly, Foundation Constructors
Director – Crandall Bates, Balfour Beatty
Director – Gene Merlino, MG Forge Construction Company
Director – Pat Hannigan, GRL Engineers, Inc.
Director – Mike Elliott, Pile Equipment, Inc.
Director – Richard Gilbert, Skyline Steel Company
Director – Doug Keller, Richard Goettle, Inc.
Director – Irv Ragsdale, Clark Foundations, LLC
Director – Mike Justason, Bermingham Foundation Solutions
Director – Eric Alberghini, Norwalk Marine Contractors, Inc.
All of these individuals are serving you and your association on a voluntary basis, so please take a moment to contact them and tell them “Thanks!” You can also let them know what is on your mind regarding suggestions, issues or concerns that you may have with the PDCA. I know they would love to hear from you.
PDCA / DFI JOINT CONFERENCE RETURNS
The PDCA will team up with DFI again in 2011 to present a dynamic conference on DRIVEN PILE. The 2011 DFI/PDCA conference will be held on Thursday, March 3, 2011, at the DoubleTree Hotel, Chicago Magnificent Mile, Chicago, IL.
Download the conference brochure and Registration Form by clicking on the link below:
PDCA COMMITTEES
The PDCA is heading into 2011, which means “resolutions”.Yes, our “New Year’s Resolutions” are upon us once again.What are your resolutions for 2011?I have a suggestion!Why not consider becoming active on a PDCA Committee.Did you know anyone from a PDCA member company is welcomed on any PDCA Committee?The PDCA has several committees that need your input and participation to make the committee stronger and more effective; and to make your association stronger and more effective.
Committee participation is also a great way to stay abreast of current issues within your industry and to meet new people while providing a valuable service to the PDCA.
PDCA Committees include the following:Technical, Education, Market Development, Environmental, Communications, Safety, Membership Development and Member Retention, and Finance.
For more information about any of the PDCA Committees or to learn how to join a committee, call the PDCA office at 1-888-311-PDCA (7322).