Trenchless Industry Gathers at NASTT’s 2019 No-Dig Show in Chicago: Day 1 Recap
The NASTT No-Dig Show returned to Chicago and Day 1 got started with a bang with awards presented in the morning and auction items finding new homes in the evening. In between, more than 2,000 attendees took in technical sessions and walked the exhibit hall, taking in all of the trenchless experience.
Trenchless Technology publisher Bernie Krzys and associate publisher Kelly Dadich with Mike Burkhard, the 2019 Trenchless Technology Person of the Year
The five-day show — the largest trenchless-only tradeshow in the world — is hosted by NASTT and managed by Benjamin Media, which is the parent company to Trenchless Technology. The show is being held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.
Day 2 is currently under way.
Though there were pre-conference educational sessions on Sunday, March 17, the first official event was the annual Kickoff Breakfast, which gives the Trenchless Technology team the opportunity to formally recognize and present our Projects of the Year Awards for New Installation and Rehabilitation, as well as our Person of the Year Award.
The unofficial kick off to the No-Dig Show, the Breakfast was opened by NASTT Chairman Craig Vandaelle and Program Committee Chair Cindy Preuss. Motivational speaker Jody Urquhart was the feature speaker.
Trenchless Technology formally presents its 2018 Project of the Year Award for New Installation to the Valley Crossing Project Gulf of Mexico Direct Pipe Shore Approach project team.
Trenchless Technology formally presents its 2018 Project of the Year Award for Rehabilitation to the project team for the World Record 36-in. CIPL Gas Main Rehabilitation Project.
Trenchless Technology editors Jim Rush and Sharon M. Bueno presented the winners of the 2018 Trenchless Technology Projects of the Year for New Installation and Rehabilitation.
RELATED: Read the Trenchless Technology Projects of the Year stories here.
Trenchless Technology publisher Bernie Krzys formally presented the 2019 Trenchless Technology Person of the Year award to its recipient Mike Burkhard — an industry professional who has dedicated his 40-plus year career to the trenchless rehabilitation industry, serving as NASSCO executive director, as well as helping to introduce UV CIPP technology to North America.
RELATED: Mike Burkhard — 2019 Trenchless Technology Person of the Year
The technical sessions feature more than 160- peer-reviewed technical papers and returning this year are special forums covering a variety of trenchless topics. First up Monday was a forum on Direct Pipe. They continue today with Advanced Pressure Pipeline Condition Assessment and Innovative Products.
The day’s events concluded with NASTT’s 18th annual Educational Fund Auction & Reception. The fundraising soirée — benefiting NASTT’s educational initiatives — is a themed event.
For 2019, the theme was the Roaring 1920s/Speakeasy style.” Attendees were encouraged to dress in 1920s gangster or flapper attire. As always, attendees are encouraged to dress accordingly – in a 1950s themed. Winners of the costume competition were Cat Rutherford and Jeb Kraft, both of Louisiana Tech University.
This year’s auction was a silent auction with bidders placing bids throughout the day. The only live bidding took place for the services of Morty the Sewer Rat. With its $5,000 bid, Morty will remain with BT Trenchless for another year.
Stay abreast of NASTT’s 2019 No-Dig Show by following @TrenchlessTech, @WFM_Journal and @NoDigShow on Twitter. Or you can download the official (and free) No-Dig Show mobile app on either your iPhone or Android phone.
With a winning bid of $5,000 Morty will stay with his host family at BT Trenchless.
