No-Dig North Flourishes at the Falls
There were no tricks, but plenty of treats for the nearly 1,000 attendees who made the trip just before Halloween to Niagara Falls, Ontario, for NASTT’s 2024 No-Dig North.
Hosted by the Canadian chapters of NASTT – British Columbia (BC); Great Lakes, St. Lawrence and Atlantic (GLSLA); and Northwest (NW) — the annual Canadian-focused trenchless conference and trade show visited the Niagara Falls Convention Centre, Oct. 28-30.
Attending the Oct. 28 exhibit hall networking event, you could feel the buzz in the room as the early projections had attendee counts exceeding those of Edmonton in 2023. This bore to be true, and organizers note that No-Dig North attendance has increased each year.
“There was an increase in the number of attendees from last year,” says Hiva Mahdavi, PhD, P.Eng, regional conveyance leader, Eastern Canada, Stantec. “The show has been continuously growing, which indicates the need in the industry for a platform like No-Dig North.”
“I agree with Hiva. There is clearly a market and a need for this show in Canada,” says Ashley Rammeloo, MMSc., P.Eng., director of water, wastewater and stormwater for the City of London, Ontario. Rammeloo served as Program Chair and Mahdavi served as Technical Chair for the 2024 event.
Dedicated to Canada
With more than 140 exhibitors — the most to-date — No-Dig North attendees were able to connect with the preeminent companies in the trenchless industry that provide goods and services in Canada, as well as those looking to enter the Canadian market.
Having a dedicated Canadian-focused No-Dig Show, “means the best source of information on trenchless technologies [is] accessible to more Canadian municipalities, who may not be able to travel to the United States,” says Rammeloo. “It means connecting with local consultants and contractors. It means growing our own capacity, not just seeing what is available ‘elsewhere.’”
Neither Rammeloo or Mahdavi could have organized a show of this magnitude without a host of dedicated volunteers who served on the program committee and as technical session track leaders. The committee also had the full support of the NASTT staff and Benjamin Media Inc. (publisher of Trenchless Technology Canada).
Like the North American No-Dig Show, the technical sessions are the main draw to No-Dig North with several session rooms experiencing standing room only scenarios.
The 2024 event featured four pre-conference workshops on Oct. 28; 70 technical paper presentations, across four tracks, Oct. 29 and three on 30; and the first-ever NASSCO Exchange daylong track on Oct. 30.
“This event provides a great opportunity for Canadian professionals in trenchless industry to come together. Being in Canada gives a nice spotlight to Canadian projects and product,” says Mahdavi. “ The municipal scholarship is an excellent set-up to attract owners to attend and learn more about what they can use [and] expect to implement in their system and facilities. The student chapters are another excellent platform in the conference to attract students and younger talents.”
Municipal Scholarship Recipients
• Aurora, Ontario
• Burnaby, British Columbia
• Calgary, Alberta
• EPCOR Utilities
• Hot Springs, British Columbia
• Lincoln, Ontario
• London, Ontario
• Markham, Ontario
• Metro Vancouver
• Niagara Falls, Ontario
• Ontario Ministry of Transportation
• Ottawa, Ontario
• Regina, Saskatchewan
• Regional Municipality of Niagara
• Regional Municipality of Peel
• Selkirk, Manitoba
• Vancouver, British Columbia
• Winnipeg, Manitoba
Projects of the Year
A highlight of the No-Dig North is the awarding of the annual No-Dig North Projects of the Year. Selected by a volunteer committee, projects are awarded in New Installation and Rehabilitation. The projects were announced during the Opening Breakfast on Oct. 29.
The 2024 No-Dig North Project of the Year New Installation is: Transforming Edmonton’s Infrastructure: The 99 Avenue Sanitary Trunk Bypass Project. The award was presented to EPCOR, Shanghai Construction Group (Canada) Corp., Associated Engineering and Stantec.
The 2024 No-Dig North Project of the Year Rehabilitation is: Rehabilitating the Kenilworth Trunk Watermain. The award was presented to Stantec and the City of Hamilton, Ontario.
The 2024 No-Dig North Project of the Year committees were:
New Installation
• Dr. Sam Ariaratnam, Arizona State University
• Maureen Carlin, Garver USA
• Chris Sivesind, Akkerman
Rehabilitation
• Dr. John Matthews, Louisiana Tech University
• Chris Sivesind, Akkerman
• Craig Vandaelle, Michels Corp.
No-Dig North 2025
The Canadian chapters are looking forward to starting work on the 2025 No-Dig North in Vancouver, British Columbia. The show is co-locating with the International Society for Trenchless Technologies (ISTT) International No-Dig Show, shining a spotlight on Canada’s trenchless industry and offering a glimpse of the global trenchless marketplace.
To mark this global celebration of trenchless technologies the NASTT 2025 No-Dig North is expanded to a four-day event taking place Oct. 27-30, at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
For more information on the show visit nastt.org.
Those who are planning beyond 2025 be sure to mark off Nov. 2-4, 2026, on your calendar because No-Dig North 2026 will be heading to Calgary.
Mike Kezdi is managing editor of Trenchless Technology Canada.
