2014 No-Dig Show

The NASTT No-Dig Show is heading south in 2014, setting up its annual trenchless pilgrimage in Orlando, Fla.

For the first time since 2005, the No-Dig Show is coming to the Sunshine State: April 13-17 at the Gaylord Palms Hotel & Convention Center, bringing together public works officials, engineers, contractors, academicians and manufacturers from around the globe. The theme for this year’s event is “The Magic of Trenchless.”

Owned by the North American Society of Trenchless Technology (NASTT), this annual event draws trenchless professionals from around the world to the largest and only conference and tradeshow in North America dedicated solely to the promotion of trenchless technology. Through exhibits, educational seminars and fun networking events, the No-Dig Show is a must-attend event for the trenchless professional.

The trenchless industry continues to grow and reach more engineers, contractors and municipalities each year and the 2014 conference organizers hope to capitalize on that momentum with a strong No-Dig Show. In 2014, more than 129 exhibitors will fill the 178,500-sq-ft exhibit hall at the Gaylord Palms Convention Center, displaying the latest in trenchless equipment and technology and be on hand to answer attendees’ questions.
Along with the jam-packed exhibit hall, the No-Dig technical paper program is also an important part of the show’s success and stature — the true heart and soul of the conference. 2014 brings 160-peer-reviewed technical papers to be presented, focusing on a diverse range of trenchless topics, including horizontal directional drilling, cured-in-place pipe (CIPP), microtunneling, inspection, case histories, asset management, pipe jacking and ramming, water and sewer rehabilitation, project planning, inspection and trenchless research.

Attendees can choose among what peer-reviewed paper presentations they want to see. The papers are peer-evaluated based on relevance, usefulness and non-commercialism. The No-Dig papers are presented in a six-track schedule and are grouped mostly by subject matter so attendees can choose from six paper presentations at any given time.

Pre- and post-conference seminars are also on the schedule for attendees at an additional cost. Sunday, April 13, NASTT’s Trenchless Technology Short Course-New Construction and Rehabilitation will be held. The course is ideally suited for both newcomers to the industry and for anyone who is interested in seeking a refresher course on trenchless technology methods. The course covers new installation and rehabilitation methods.

Slated for April 16-17, are several informative courses presented by NASTT: Cured-in-Place Pipe Good Practices Course; Laterals Rehabilitation & Replacement Good Practices Course; Horizontal Directional Drilling Good Practices Guidelines Course; Pipe Bursting Good Practices Course; and New Installation Methods Good Practices.

Although the No-Dig show is the conduit to promote and advance the trenchless marketplace through education and exhibits, there’s also the social aspect of the conference that fosters networking opportunities for attendees, as well as just some fun and good times.

The conference gets under way with its annual Kick-Off Breakfast from 7:30-9:15 a.m. Monday, April 14. During this event, the formal presentation of the 2014 Trenchless Technology Person of the Year will be made. Also at this event, the winners, runners up and honorable mentions for the 2013 Trenchless Technology Projects of the Year for Rehabilitation and New Installation will be formally recognized, as well as NASTT’s 2013 Outstanding Papers in Rehabilitation and New Installation Awards. After the awards, revel in comedic talents of Bob Arno the “Pickpocket King.”

Shiver me timbers! You’re gonna want to grab yer best matey for cocktails and hor d’oeuvres April 14 and follow yer treasure map to “Avast Ye Auction,” NASTT’s 13th annual Educational Fund Auction & Reception. The fundraiser is the perfect opportunity for attendees to mingle and relax, as well as bid on items for an excellent cause — the NASTT Educational Fund, which supports student chapters, target research, training modules and other student activities. Since 2001, this auction has raised more than $600,000. So don your best long clothes, for the costume contest, and get ready to spend some of yer booty for a good cause.
Tuesday, April 15, NASTT will host its annual gala awards dinner. During this popular, ticketed event, the trenchless community gathers for a night of fun, food and entertainment. Also, NASTT will present several awards and will induct its third NASTT Hall of Fame class:

• Bob Affholder, founder of Affholder Inc, which eventually became the first mid-America licensee of the Insituform process.
• Joseph Loiacono, a professional engineer involved in the trenchless industry since 1989, a former director of CERIU and former director of business development for Aqua-Pipe.
• Raymond Sterling, P.E., professor emeritus at Louisiana Tech University, former director of its Trenchless Technology Center and past chair of  ISTT and NASTT. Sterling is a recipient of the ASCE’s Bechtel Pipeline Award and ISTT’s Gold Medal.

In keeping with the show’s magical theme, attendees can expect to close the night with illusions of grandeur, wonder and amazement.

To close out the 2014 No-Dig event is the annual closing luncheon and keynote address on Wednesday, April 16. Here, attendees can enjoy lunch, entertainment and say good-bye to their fellow trenchless professionals before heading home. Leaving attendees with a laugh is Grand Ole Opry performer, comedian and humorist, T. Bubba Bechtol.

For more information about the 2014 No-Dig Show, visit www.nodigshow.com or contact Benjamin Media, which handles the show’s management, at 330-467-7588.

Mike Kezdi is assistant editor of Trenchless Technology.