DCA Hangs 10 in Hawaii

The Distributions Contractors Association (DCA) held its 51st annual convention Feb. 3-8 at Fairmont Orchard Resort on the Kohala Coast on the “Big Island” of Hawaii. The turnout for the convention included more than 330 attendees.

DCA’s strategic plan has it focusing on increasing on the number of regular members. DCA’s contractor member profile is very specific. “Any contractor engaged in the construction and maintenance of distribution pipelines and underground utilities.” At the end of 2011, DCA’s regular members has increased to 59. On the associate member side, 2011 ended with 94 members.

DCA conventions have a fine blend of business, networking and fun. This year’s convention was chaired by 2011 DCA president Greg Dahl. There were numerous committee sessions ranging from the Safety Committee, HED Committee, Membership Committee and more. A featured speaker at one of the sessions was Chris Daum, of FMI Capital Advisors, who discussed his economic forecast for the gas distribution industry.  

The major networking events included a Caterpillar Welcome Reception, a Case Keynote Breakfast, a Vacuworx Super Bowl Party, a Volvo Auction Reception, a Ditch Witch Members Breakfast, an American Augers Golf Outing, a HammerHead Aloha Breakfast, a Deere/TT Technologies President’s Reception and a Vermeer President’s Dinner.

Ritchie Bros. conducted the 22nd annual auction. Butch Graham of Ritchie Bros. was emcee and main auctioneer. The auction raised an amazing $411,000.

At the President’s Dinner, Kevin Michels, of Michels Corp., assumed the president’s reins for 2012. Tim Bell, of Midwestern Contractors, became 2012 vice president, and Grady Bell assumed the position of treasurer.

DCA’s mid-year meeting will be July 11-15 at La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa in Santa Fe, N.M. The 52nd annual convention will be March 5-10, 2013, at the Lowes Miami Beach Hotel in Miami Beach, Fla.