No-Dig North 2023 a Hit in Edmonton
Annual Canadian-focused Trenchless Conference Continues to Grow
By all accounts, NASTT’s 2023 No-Dig North was a resounding success. Hosted by the Canadian chapters of NASTT, the annual Canadian-focused trenchless conference and tradeshow visited Edmonton, Alberta Oct. 23-25.
While there was much talk last year about the stellar turnout in Toronto, Edmonton surpassed those numbers with 848 attendees and 124 exhibitors making this the largest No-Dig North to date.
“The energy of the exhibitors, sponsors and attendees. We had record breaking numbers attending this year’s show and you could not miss the positivity on the show floor and technical sessions,” says NASST executive director Matthew Izzard. “No-Dig North provides a unique focus on trenchless technology within the utility infrastructure in Canada. Participation of owners through the Municipal & Public Works Scholarship Program enables them to access quality knowledge through the exhibitors, technical papers and networking which also creates an opportunity for manufacturers, engineers and contractors to engage with their client base directly. This year there were 74 scholarship places awarded to 20 organizations – another high.”
Kudos to the No-Dig North Volunteers
A show of this size would be impossible without the work of many dedicated volunteers who served on the program committee and as technical session track leaders. The committee included:
- Program Chair: Chris Lamont, Associated Engineering
- Program Vice Chair: Ashley Rammeloo, City of London
- Technical Program Co-Chairs: Craig Pass, Associated Engineering and Hiva Mahdavi, Stantec
- Canadian Chapter Chairs: NASTT NW – George Bontus, Insituform Technologies Ltd.; NASTT BC – Sam Eichenberger, Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd.; and NASTT GLSLA – David Crowder, R.V. Anderson Associates Limited
No-Dig North 2023 Canadian Projects of the Year Committees
New Installation
- Craig Vandaelle, Michels Canada
- Siri Fernando, SMA Consulting
- Sam Ariaratnam, Arizona State University
- Maureen Carlin, Garver USA
- Chris Sivesind, Akkerman
Rehabilitation
- John Matthews, Louisiana Tech University
- Chris Sivesind, Akkerman
- Craig Vandaelle, Michels Canada
No-Dig North 2023 Track Leaders
- Tony Araujo, Paragon Systems Testing
- Gerry Bauer, Stantec Consulting Ltd.
- George Bontus, Insituform Technologies Ltd.
- Adam Braun, Morrison Hershfield
- Angela Carley, TYLin
- Hernan Castedo, Enbridge
- Shane Cooper, AECOM
- Stewart Dickson, R.V. Anderson Associates Limited
- Jesse Doolin, MJP & Associates
- Siri Fernando, SMA Consulting
- Devan Franz, Westlake Pipe
- Kevan Howard, AEGION
- Chaoshi Hu, EPCOR Water Services
- Gerry Huizer, Michels Canada
- Gabriel Jean, Associated Engineering
- James Kercher, ISL Engineering and Land Services Ltd.
- Zulfiqar Khowaja, City of Calgary
- Joe Linseman, Robinson Consultants Inc
- Alex Mather, EPCOR Water Services
- Chris Mitchell, AECOM
- Keith Moggach, Westlake Pipe
- Brian Moreau, CBCL Limited
- James Murphy, UniversalPegasus International
- Carrie Murray, Stantec Consulting Ltd.
- David O’Sullivan, PW Trenchless Construction Inc.
- Chris Parfitt, Associated Engineering
- Charles Pullan, City of Calgary
- Ajay Puri, Region of Peel
- Montazar, Rabiei WSP
“We had a great team for the planning committee and stellar volunteers,” said Pass. He encourages those interested in getting involved with No-Dig North to become members of NASTT and get involved with the local chapter. Adding that the GLSLA Chapter will be leading the planning for 2024 and there will be many opportunities for volunteers from all NASTT chapters to get involved.
Looking Ahead
Speaking of 2024, the dust has barely settled on 2023, but planning is already under way. Organizers hope to carry the momentum and growth of No-Dig North to Niagara Falls, Ontario.
“We are always looking for volunteers to be involved in the various organizing committees. NASTT’s 2024 No-Dig North is being held in Niagara Falls and is already generating much interest,” says Izzard. “Anyone interested should contact me at mizzard@nastt.org for further details. Aside from exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities, presenting a technical paper is a great way of being involved and raising your profile.”
The call for abstracts will be released soon. Check nodignorth.ca for the latest information. Companies interested in sponsoring or exhibiting in 2024 can contact Hannah Stakolich at hstakolich@benjaminmedia.com or 440-465-9434 for the latest information and the opportunities available.
2025 looks to be a big year for No-Dig North as the show will be in Vancouver and co-located with ISTT’s International No-Dig. Dates for that event are Oct. 26-29.
Izzard is also happy to share, “[No-Dig North] 2026 was decided as Calgary by the regional chairs and accepted by the NASTT Board at their meeting on Oct. 23, so hot off the press.” Be on the lookout for that information coming soon.
All photos are by Bruce Clarke, Moments in Digital Photography – momentsindigital.com.
Mike Kezdi is the managing editor of Trenchless Technology Canada.
