The Utility Construction EXPO ’08 Says Aloha
In January, the Utility Construction EXPO 08 was held in Kauai, Hawaii — giving NUCA members the opportunity to attend informative sessions, network with other members and industry professionals and take in the sights and sounds of beautiful Hawaii.
The convention kicked off with a Welcome reception, sponsored by Caterpillar Inc., which gave members time to enjoy island delicacies and interact with one another.
General Sessions took place throughout the convention and featured speakers on various topics. On Jan. 15, TV commentator and Congressional expert, Norm Ornstein addressed the crowd and provided the political outlook keynote. Television host Larry Winget followed Ornstein and discussed personal development. James Bradley, author of Flags of Our Fathers and Flyboys, spoke to the convention’s visitors on Jan. 17.
Jim Haughey, the Reed Business Information’s Director of Economics, provided the Utility Construction Economic Forecast — which is designed as a business planning tool for the next 12 to 18 months.
When attendees were not busy sitting in on informative and insightful sessions, other NUCA events were scheduled for networking opportunities. The Trade Winds Route Auction took place, which raised $100,000. The Fun Lunch, where members participated in a team building activity called “The NUCA 500,” was held on Jan. 17. At the luncheon, 20 teams of 10 people built race cars out of materials such as cardboard, duct tape, plastic pipe segments, paint etc. The cars then raced around a unique track and the winning team received medals for their achievement.
John Deere Construction and Forestry Division/Hitachi sponsored the President’s Luau on Jan. 18, where members dined on traditional Luau cuisine and enjoyed Hawaiian entertainment such as hula dancers and fire twirlers.
At the Luau, outgoing NUCA president James King and his wife Sandy received an award and other gifts of appreciation for their service to the Association. King also swore the 2008 officers and vice presidents in to office and the new NUCA president, Terry Dillon and his wife, Tina, were honored with a round of applause.
