NUCA 2022 Convention & Exhibit Wrap Up
NUCA‘s 2022 Annual Convention in San Antonio, Texas, was a huge hit and members from all corners of the nation took the time to network with fellow members, participate in the exciting events including educational opportunities, informative speakers and industry specific topics designed to help streamline underground utility operations, receptions, and awards ceremonies, and do so in a beautiful resort setting.
GOLF TOURNAMENT
The return of the “CEO Bobble Head Open” featured the resort’s golf courses as our members competed to raise money to benefit NUCA’s scholarship program.
NUCA’S 2022 NATIONAL PARTNERS & EXHIBITORS
This year, our 61 exhibitors included National Partners who know the value of displaying their latest technologies to the utility construction industry’s decision makers. We also had a good number of new members who found their first-time at the NUCA annual exhibit to be very worthwhile in gaining new leads and product orders. All in all, we had more Partners and Exhibitors on hand than in many years.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: JOHN REGISTER
Our keynote speaker, two-time Paralympian, Paralympic Games Silver Medalist, Persian Gulf War veteran John Register was energetic and engaging! As he discussed the struggles of his injuries and how he eventually overcame them, he related his own experience to the “New Normal” in the world of utility construction.
WELCOME RECEPTION
Ending the first day of the convention, the night’s lively reception at Henry’s Hollow. Attendees enjoyed the beautiful weather, tasty appetizers, cool drinks, and the joy of spending time with their long-time colleagues and new friends alike.
TEAM BUILDING: DIGGER DASH
Our team building event was as wild as it gets: Teams worked together to create a team flag, take a turn on a wild bull, race armadillos, and more! While there could only be one official winner, everyone had a blast!
2022 GALA & LIVE AUCTION
The Gala Dinner and live auction this year celebrated our members successes and recognized the industry’s brightest! Besides a great dinner, our guests congratulated the Award of Excellence, Safety, and Top Jobs winners. New Chairman Ryan Kinning delivered his inaugural speech and plans for his term-of-office – and how to lead NUCA to continued growth and success. Those who bid on auction items and participated in the raffles helped fund the association’s programs. Thanks to our new National Partners Big Iron Auctions for helping make the event truly successful!
2022 UTILITY CONSTRUCTION ECONOMIC FORECAST WITH ANIBAN BASU
Associated Builders & Contractors’ Chief Economist Aniban Basu returned to the NUCA convention, to discuss and analyze changes ahead for the utility construction industry in 2022, particularly considering the challenges that the industry and nation face in 2022 and beyond.
TRANSITION OF LEADERSHIP
The reins of Chairman of the Board are passed from Immediate Past Chairman Lauren Atwell to newly appointed Chairman Ryan Kinning.
NEWLY CHARTERED CHAPTERS: AZUCA, NUCA Gulf Coast, and NUCA San Antonio
Presiding over the new charters as the previous newest chapter, NUCA New Jersey welcomed an astounding 3 new chapters: AZUCA (the Arizona Chapter of NUCA), and two new chapters from Texas, NUCA Gulf Coast and NUCA San Antonio! Presiding over the new charters as the previous newest chapter, NUCA New Jersey welcomed an astounding 3 new chapters: AZUCA (the Arizona Chapter of NUCA), and two new chapters from Texas, NUCA Gulf Coast and NUCA San Antonio!
Awards
2021 TOP JOBS COMPETITION
NUCA’s Seventh Annual Top Jobs Awards were presented during the 2022 Convention. The awards recognize outstanding member projects that went above and beyond, overcoming unique challenges on their jobsites or demanding project details.
INDUSTRY HOT TOPICS
This year’s convention featured 8 different hot topic discussions covering a wide range of issues, including: Growing Your Chapter in 2022 presented and Moderated by Mark Levin, CAE; Reliance on Boring Logs Presented by Shawn Farrell, Partner – Cohen Seglias Pallas Greenhall & Furman PC; Trenchless Technology Update; Construction Technology and the Coming Tide in Equipment Management Presented by Russ Young, Vice President – Tenna; NUCA WINS Panel Discussion Presented by Jim Messina, Chief Marketing Officer – Compatica and Brad Wegner, Vice President – Midlands Contracting, Inc.; Infrastructure & Legislative Update Eben Wyman & Zach Perconti, Wyman Associates; Workforce Development Panel Discussion; and, Deep Dive in Current Utility Contractor Industry Loss Trends Presented by Cory Rimmer & Nick Renfro, CNA.
PROFIT PIPELINE BREAKFAST PROGRAM
This year’s profit pipeline included a panel of past NUCA chairs, including Kara Habrock, Fred Chesney, and Lauren Atwell, and was moderated by Chairman Elect Ryan Kinning. The program also included a deep dive into the recent 811 study, headed by Mark Bridgers of Continuum Capital.
