Dallas Trenchless Road Show Rounds Up Industry Professionals

Most college campuses turn into ghost towns over the summers as the majority of students go home for three months of relaxation; not the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). The campus was bustling with activity as eager professionals attended the 17th year of the Trenchless Road Show from June 23-24 in Nedderman Hall to learn about the latest innovations in the trenchless market.

Sponsored by RootX, hosted by UTA and CUIRE and put on by Trenchless Technology magazine and Benjamin Media, the two-day event addresses the issues in the trenchless industry by way of classroom instruction and outdoor demonstration. RootX has been supportive of the Trenchless Road Show for many years and thinks that it’s networking opportunities offer “a great way to connect with regional decision makers.”

Assistant Professor-Civil & Environmental Engineering of UTA Dr. Mohammad Najafi kicked off the Trenchless Road Show early on day one, followed by presentations of local professionals. Other sessions were held designated by topic, including mainline and manhole rehab, trenchless construction and repair and infrastructure rehab and maintenance. New to the Trenchless Road Show this year was the final classroom session about leadership training. President and CEO of Influence Leadership Inc. Chris Fuller gave a presentation followed by a forum discussion about leadership. The discussion proved to be a successful supplement to the rest of the show.

This year at the Trenchless Road Show, a number of UTA students were present to learn alongside the industry’s veterans.

“The Dallas TRS was helpful to our students to understand and see, firsthand, important trenchless technology methods and pipe materials,” said Dr. Najafi. “They had an opportunity to talk to exhibitors, ask questions and watch and participate in field demonstrations. The TRS show was specifically helpful as during the month of June, we are offering a course ‘Pipelines and Trenchless Technology,’ and all the students were attended TRS as part of their class. This course is part of our new Infrastructure Engineering and Management program at the Department of Civil Engineering at UT Arlington.”

The next Trenchless Road Show will be held in Newark, N.J., at the Holiday Inn Newark International Hotel from Aug. 25-26. For more information, visit www.trenchlessroadshow.com.