Agenda Set for the Sixth Annual HDD Academy
The agenda is complete and the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) community is in for an informative and educational conference at the sixth annual HDD Academy, setting up at a new location in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Directional drilling experts will cover numerous topics, across four focus areas: HDD Design and Planning, Utility Damage Prevention and Protection, Equipment/Operations/Innovations and concluding with Stakeholder Breakouts and Discussions. Topics covered include estimating an HDD project; fundamentals of fluids recycling and solids control; vacuum excavation innovations; damage prevention for urban HDD projects; advance design preparation and more. The full agenda can be viewed at hddacademy.com.
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There will be breakout sessions where topics including workforce development, technology innovations, and market trends will be discussed. Insight from various HDD stakeholders will provide attendees with a better understanding of the HDD industry.
Featured speakers include:
- Adam Bates, Vermeer
- Dr. Dave Bennett and Mary Neher, Bennett Trenchless Engineers
- Ben Clark, Derrick Equipment Co.
- Siggi Finnsson and Mark Gallucci, Digital Control Inc.
- Dr. Gerhard Lang and James Pfeiffer, Herrenknecht Tunnelling Systems
- Jason LaValley, LaValley Industries
- Tom Marti, Underground Solutions
New this year, LaValley Industries will host a welcome reception from 8–10 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9. As attendees arrive to the conference, they can network with other HDD professionals and make connections to benefit them over the course of the two-day conference.
The HDD Academy will award 1.8 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) upon successful completion of the course. Registration is limited in order to provide quality networking with HDD industry leaders and maintain a low student-instructor ratio.
To date, supporting associations include Distribution Contractors Association (DCA), Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), International Pipeline & Offshore Contractors Association (IPLOCA) and National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA).
Founding sponsors of the Academy include: Digital Control Inc., Ditch Witch, Herrenknecht Tunnelling Systems, Underground Solutions and Vermeer. To date, additional sponsors include American Augers/Trencor, Bentonite Performance Minerals, Derrick Equipment Co., Drilling Mud Direct, Laney and LaValley Industries.
The HDD Academy is organized by Benjamin Media Inc., publisher of Trenchless Technology, and Arizona State University’s Del E. Webb School of Construction.
To view the completed agenda and register, visit hddacademy.com. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Brittany Cline at bcline@benjaminmedia.com.