“SEAA is great resource of education, safety and steel industry trends."
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Charlotte Motor Speedway Gala at Charlotte Motor Speedway Highlight of SEAA Annual Convention More than 360 steel construction professionals turned out for the 44th annual convention of the Steel Erectors Association of America, held April 27-29, 2016 in Charlotte/Concord, N.C. This is nearly a 20% increase over last year. A highlight of the conference was the Gala Awards Banquet held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway and the Richard Petty Driving Experience, which 55 attendees took part in. More than 50 companies participated in the two-day tradeshow, with 14 being first-time exhibitors. One of those companies, shipping and supply chain management services company Estes Express Lines, found the event to be beneficial. “This convention was the best one I’ve ever attended. Our company met more potential new customers at this convention than we have at any other that I’ve attended. We didn’t meet anyone that wasn’t friendly and helpful in explaining their company business model. I have already connected with many of the companies we met at the convention and we plan to do business moving forward,” said Arlyn Wall, District Sales Manager for Estes Express Lines. Attendees also got a first-hand look at equipment on display outside the exhibit hall. Several first-time exhibitors displayed equipment. Altec Cranes showed an AC45-127S boom truck. The 45-ton crane features a 127-foot five-section boom, two-speed winch capacity of 15,000 lbs., and three-position outrigger settings. ML Cranes & Equipment, and equipment sales and rental company based in Charlotte, N.C., showed an 8,480-lb. capacity mini crawler crane called the Maeda mc405. Also on display was a 600S 60-foot boom lift from JLG Industries, which was used for the annual Ball Drop a fundraiser for Education and Training projects, such as the new Ironworker Training Grant. Meanwhile, attendees participated in education sessions for either managers or field personnel, covering topics such as use of drones, OSHA’s current enforcement climate, workforce development, and certified erector programs. Various prizes and programs provided throughout the convention would not have been possible without the support of corporate sponsors, especially United Rentals, opening reception; ASTM International, Bracken Construction Company Inc., and Estes Express Lines, trade show luncheon; and Cooper Steel, Gala reception. One door prize winner was Bruce Basden of Basden Steel Corp., Burleson, Texas, who was selected to receive an eight-lap Richard Petty Driving Experience. Basden plans to do the drive at either the Texas Motor Speedway or Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the near future. “I have heard many positive comments from both exhibitors and attendees of the 2016 Convention & Trade Show,” said Tom Underhill. “We look forward to exceeding those expectations 2017 National Convention and Trade Show, to be held April 27-29, 2017, in Myrtle Beach, S.C.” Awards and Recognitions Josh Cilley, President of American Steel & Precast Erectors, Greenfield, N.H., was inducted as the new President of the Association. He will serve a two-year term and replaces immediate past President Steve Burkholder of S&R Enterprises LLC, Harrisburg, Pa. Other individuals and companies to receive awards during the conference were: 2015 Person of the Year: Eddie Williams, Buckner Companies, Graham, N.C. Lifetime Member: Pete Walker, retired President Phoenix Steel Erectors, Haymarket, Va. Ironworker Craft Training Grant: All Things Metal, Phoenix, Ariz. 2015 Projects of the Year This year, SEAA increased the number of erection contract categories for Project of the Year entries to four. Class III was capped at $2.5 million and Class IV was added for jobs exceeding $2.5 million. “Each year the entries have become increasingly complex in terms of the variety of the sequencing, coordination with outside entities such as local governments or transportation boards, equipment needed to set the material, and project deadlines,” said Projects of the Year Committee Chairman, Alan Sears. Judges represent different areas of expertise, including architectural design, structural engineering, and detailing. Each project is judged on its own merits for successful and safe completion. Winning entries demonstrate structural steel erection that is complex, faced unusual conditions, or overcame issues or barriers that required special management team action. Look for more information about these award winning jobs in future issues of the Connector eNewsletter and printed publication. Class I Erection Contract up to $500,000: LPR Construction, I-255 Florida Pedestrian Bridge, Aurora, Colo. Class II Erection Contract $500,000 to $1 million: Gabriel Steel Erectors Inc., 625 West 57th St., Manhattan, N.Y. Class III Erection Contract over $1 million to $2.5 million: CSE Inc., Liberty University Fine Arts School of Music, Lynchburg, Va. Class IV Erection Contract over $2.5 million: Bracken Construction Co. Inc., University of Mississippi Basketball Arena, Oxford, Miss. For more picture from the 44th Annual SEAA National Convention & Trade Show visit SEAA's Flickr page.
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Gala at Charlotte Motor Speedway Highlight of SEAA Annual Convention
More than 360 steel construction professionals turned out for the 44th annual convention of the Steel Erectors Association of America, held April 27-29, 2016 in Charlotte/Concord, N.C. This is nearly a 20% increase over last year. A highlight of the conference was the Gala Awards Banquet held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway and the Richard Petty Driving Experience, which 55 attendees took part in. More than 50 companies participated in the two-day tradeshow, with 14 being first-time exhibitors. One of those companies, shipping and supply chain management services company Estes Express Lines, found the event to be beneficial. “This convention was the best one I’ve ever attended. Our company met more potential new customers at this convention than we have at any other that I’ve attended. We didn’t meet anyone that wasn’t friendly and helpful in explaining their company business model. I have already connected with many of the companies we met at the convention and we plan to do business moving forward,” said Arlyn Wall, District Sales Manager for Estes Express Lines. Attendees also got a first-hand look at equipment on display outside the exhibit hall. Several first-time exhibitors displayed equipment. Altec Cranes showed an AC45-127S boom truck. The 45-ton crane features a 127-foot five-section boom, two-speed winch capacity of 15,000 lbs., and three-position outrigger settings. ML Cranes & Equipment, and equipment sales and rental company based in Charlotte, N.C., showed an 8,480-lb. capacity mini crawler crane called the Maeda mc405. Also on display was a 600S 60-foot boom lift from JLG Industries, which was used for the annual Ball Drop a fundraiser for Education and Training projects, such as the new Ironworker Training Grant. Meanwhile, attendees participated in education sessions for either managers or field personnel, covering topics such as use of drones, OSHA’s current enforcement climate, workforce development, and certified erector programs. Various prizes and programs provided throughout the convention would not have been possible without the support of corporate sponsors, especially United Rentals, opening reception; ASTM International, Bracken Construction Company Inc., and Estes Express Lines, trade show luncheon; and Cooper Steel, Gala reception. One door prize winner was Bruce Basden of Basden Steel Corp., Burleson, Texas, who was selected to receive an eight-lap Richard Petty Driving Experience. Basden plans to do the drive at either the Texas Motor Speedway or Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the near future. “I have heard many positive comments from both exhibitors and attendees of the 2016 Convention & Trade Show,” said Tom Underhill. “We look forward to exceeding those expectations 2017 National Convention and Trade Show, to be held April 27-29, 2017, in Myrtle Beach, S.C.” Awards and Recognitions Josh Cilley, President of American Steel & Precast Erectors, Greenfield, N.H., was inducted as the new President of the Association. He will serve a two-year term and replaces immediate past President Steve Burkholder of S&R Enterprises LLC, Harrisburg, Pa. Other individuals and companies to receive awards during the conference were:
2015 Projects of the Year This year, SEAA increased the number of erection contract categories for Project of the Year entries to four. Class III was capped at $2.5 million and Class IV was added for jobs exceeding $2.5 million. “Each year the entries have become increasingly complex in terms of the variety of the sequencing, coordination with outside entities such as local governments or transportation boards, equipment needed to set the material, and project deadlines,” said Projects of the Year Committee Chairman, Alan Sears. Judges represent different areas of expertise, including architectural design, structural engineering, and detailing. Each project is judged on its own merits for successful and safe completion. Winning entries demonstrate structural steel erection that is complex, faced unusual conditions, or overcame issues or barriers that required special management team action. Look for more information about these award winning jobs in future issues of the Connector eNewsletter and printed publication.
For more picture from the 44th Annual SEAA National Convention & Trade Show visit SEAA's Flickr page.