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The SC&RA Annual Conference offers tremendous networking and educational value for attendees,” said Joel Dandrea, chief executive officer. “The opportunities at this event to interact with owners, executives and managers from across the heavy transport crane and rigging industry are unparalleled.”
The conference offers something for everyone, Dandrea noted. “Educational and information sessions will address issues that are challenging members and reflect our ongoing advocacy on behalf of the industry. Those include workforce shortages, risk management, cybersecurity, insurance, permitting, weight thresholds, operator certification programs, equipment utilization, federal and state regulatory activity, mental health and environmental concerns.”
Highlights of the SC&RA Annual Conference are the Rigging Job of the Year Competition breaks and Hauling Job of the Year Competition breaks, and the Crane & Rigging and Transportation Safety Awards. Beyond recognizing the best of the best, Dandrea related, these events provide examples of ways that companies are meeting extreme and unique hauling and rigging challenges safely and effectively by executing jobs with the right equipment and engineering practices.
At the 2024 SC&RA Annual Conference, the Rigging Job of the Year Competition will be sponsored by Deep South Crane and Rigging and Enerpac. The Hauling Job of the Year Competition will be sponsored by Landstar Transportation Logistics and National Interstate Insurance Company.
The SC&RA Annual Conference also features an Exhibit Center with displays of products and services for the industry. Sponsors of the Exhibit Center include Higginbotham, J&R Engineering Co., MGX Equipment Services, and Versa-Lift (Custom Mobile Equipment).
The Specialized Carrier and Rigging Foundation (SC&RF), a 501(c)(3) organization with the mission to serve the crane, rigging and specialized transport industry through workforce development, educational assistance, research and educational initiatives, will hold a fundraising event during the SC&RA Annual Conference.
The SC&RF Tacos & Tequila Fundraising Event pairs fun and philanthropy and raises awareness for the SC&RF’s mission. The event will include a live band and raffles, with all proceeds going to benefit SC&RF activities. The foundation awards between $30,000 and $55,000 annually to individuals in addition to training courses donated by partner organizations. Research projects include an industry financial benchmark study, recruiting videos, a mobile app of industry terms, and transportation-specific research. Information can be found at www.scr-foundation.org.
The SC&RA Annual Conference will be held April 15-19, 2024, in Austin, Texas. On the conference agenda are the following:
EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS
An Industry Chat: Challenges & Solutions
Listen in and engage on the most pressing workforce issues today in construction, trucking and manufacturing. Topics to be discussed include the workforce shortage, labor risk management, decarbonization, electric vehicles, smart contracts, and how block chain technology can be used to help expedite payment terms. Understand how to navigate these issues and more from experts who are monitoring the pulse and pace of business today.
Speakers: Daniel Groves, CEO, Construction Industry Resources; Chris Spear, American Trucking Associations; Megan Tanel, Association of Equipment Manufacturers
Speaker Sponsors: Barnhart, LGH, Industrial Training International
Break Sponsors: ECBM Insurance Brokers & Consultants, Goldhofer Aktiengesellschaft, National Interstate Insurance Company
This is Getting Real: Artificial Intelligence Threats to Your Company
As AI captures global attention in the business community, gain firsthand insight from AI, cyber and insurance experts on key considerations and strategies to help prepare and protect your companies. Better understand the realities and implications of AI, and the critical importance of cyber coverage.
Speakers: Ranjit Jaswal, Group Chief Risk Officer, DUAL North America; Lawrence Baldino, President- Cyber, Technology, and Professional Liability, DUAL North America; Chris Mikolay, Senior V.P., National Interstate Insurance Company; Robert Willis, Vice President Security Operations, Binary Defense
Sponsors: ECBM Insurance Brokers & Consultants, Goldhofer Aktiengesellschaft, National Interstate Insurance Company
Beyond Coping: A Candid Conversation about Resilience, Connection & Happiness
Leveraging insights from his own mental health journey, Johnny Crowder shows audiences why talking about mental health should be as straightforward as talking about physical health. He’ll share how to build work cultures that support mental health and how to process mental and emotional distress in a way that builds relationships, confidence, and happiness.
Speaker Sponsors: Gallagher Crane Division, CCO, SANY America, Truck & Equipment Specialists, Inc.
Break Sponsors: ECBM Insurance Brokers & Consultants, Goldhofer Aktiengesellschaft, National Interstate Insurance Company
Well, This is Awkward: Why People May Not Want to Work for You
Recruitment. Retention. Respect. It’s hard to have one without the other. Spotlighting an all-too-persistent truth for many companies, this presentation pulls back the curtain on what perhaps isn’t getting enough attention within the greater workforce conversation: how people are being treated at work, and why it matters.
Speakers: Jason Branciforte, Mike Chalmers, Kate Lampson
Link-Belt Breakfast: The Bucket List Life
Known as the “James Bond of Speaking,” Kenyon Salo will guide you through three core principles to create more, share more and live more to live the Bucket List Life.
Sponsor: Link-Belt Cranes
Trail King Breakfast: "You are a 10: How Words Can Change Your Life"
Alex Boye shares in comedic style how our minds are always eavesdropping on our self-talk. He’ll empower you to use your self-talk as a steering wheel to personal and business success.
Sponsor: Trail King Industries
MEETINGS
• Annual Membership & Board of Directors
• Communications Advisory Committee
• Membership Committee
• SC&RA Jobs of the Year Presenters
• Executive Committee
• Crane & Rigging Group Safety Education & Training Committee
• Crane & Rigging Group Membership Meeting/Governing Committee
• Transportation Group Safety Education and Training Committee
• Transportation Group Membership Meeting/Governing Committee
• Allied Industries Group Governing Committee & Annual Membership
• Crane & Rigging Group Labor Committee
• Permit Policy Committee
• Tower Crane Committee
• Insurance & Risk Management Committee
• SC&RF: Executive Committee and Board of Directors, Educational Assistance Committee, Workforce Development Committee, Research Committee, SC&RF Communications/Development Committee
SPECIAL EVENTS
Golf Tournament & Awards Reception
Tennis Tournament
Sponsor: Emmert International
Lift & Move Fun Run/Walk
Sponsor: Buckner Heavy Lift Cranes
Spouses’ Meet & Greet
Make your own Spanish Tiles
Sponsors: Fontaine Specialized and PSC Crane & Rigging
Spouses’ Tour
Discover Austin’s musical heritage.
Sponsors: Anderson Trucking Service, Inc. and SANY America
Guitar Reception
SC&RA members provide live musical entertainment.
Sponsors: DICA, Emery & Karrigan, Inc., Enerpac, Kitchen’s Crane & Equipment, MPE Group, TNT Crane & Rigging
First Timers’ Reception
Sponsors: Talbert Manufacturing, TransMaster Trailers/Master Solutions
President’s Reception
Sponsors: Kobelco Construction Machinery USA (KCMU), Liebherr, Tadano America Corporation
Board and International Members Reception
Sponsors: Bragg Companies, LGH
Awards & Recognition Dinner and After Party
The program includes awards for membership longevity and Job of the Year awards.
For information, visit https://www.scranet.org/.
