EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
Welcome to the PDCA
20th Annual International
Conference and Expo 2016
Thank you for your support
This is PDCA’s annual conference edition of PileDriver
magazine. So, for those of you who are here in New
Orleans, I want to begin by saying, “Hello, and welcome
to New Orleans for the PDCA 20th Annual International Conference
and Expo 2016!” I am glad you are here and hope you find this
year’s annual conference fun, exciting, informative and well worth
your time and commitment.
As you know, my executive director’s message is always written
in advance of you receiving the magazine. In the case of this
PileDriver, the message preceded its arrival in your hands by
approximately two months. As a result of the timing, when trying
to gauge events in the magazine that have not yet happened – such
as this year’s annual conference – I do take some liberties with the
facts and figures, hoping that my predictions are on target.
With all the work that the PDCA committees and staff have
put into this annual conference, the early results and what we have
planned, I am optimistic that my message regarding the PDCA
20th Annual International Conference and Expo 2016 will be right
on target, which is: THIS CONFERENCE IS GOING TO BE
GREAT!
Why?
Well, for one, this year’s conference is, as indicated, our 20th,
which represents a significant milestone for PDCA and its members.
Whether an existing member from the beginning or a new
PDCA member, all are supporting this year’s conference and want
to share in and experience this exciting time for PDCA – great for
attendance.
Knowing last year was PDCA’s 20th anniversary and its significance
to the association, members and the pile driving industry,
it was clear that something special needed to happen in order to
acknowledge this noteworthy time in the PDCA’s history. So the
PDCA Market Development Committee started with a great location
– location, location, location is great for attendance.
New Orleans, one of the world’s most fascinating cities with
its diverse mixture of culture, food, music and a continuous Mardi
Gras atmosphere, seemed to be just the kind of town needed to
celebrate 20 years of PDCA annual conferences, and what better
venue than the Astor Crowne Plaza, on the corner of Canal and
Bourbon streets, gateway to the French Quarter!
Food, drink and fun – the “foundation” of any good PDCA
conference! We have it all, including the opening reception, annual
reception, dinner and entertainment and the scholarship fundraiser
bowling tournament. All events offer great food (you have
to feed them well) with a hosted bar (you have to keep ‘em happy)
and all with “fun” as a primary objective. Don’t forget to have your
picture taken during the opening reception with the stilt walkers
and Mardi Gras girls; and don’t forget to dress in Mardi Gras attire,
including your mask during the annual reception and dinner. Food,
drink and fun – all great for attendance.
The annual conference will provide the latest in equipment,
technology, materials, products and services by pile driving companies.
This year, the exhibit hall sold out – in mid-March, no less! In
fact, PDCA had to add additional exhibit booths outside the main
exhibit hall to accommodate the overflow – great for attendance.
“Advances in Pile Driving Technology” – that’s this year’s
conference theme. What better place to hear about and see the
latest “advances in pile driving technology” than directly from the
industry experts themselves? Conference attendees will have a business
and industry advantage as a result of the information acquired
during the general session presentations and visits with PDCA
members in the exhibit hall. General session topics such as subcontract
risk, sheet pile structure design, cost efficiency, case histories,
geotechnical considerations and issues and new innovative ways to
use driven pile will be discussed. There will also be plenty of time
to visit with the conference exhibitors. Stop by all the booths in
the exhibit hall and get to know these industry experts! You never
By Stevan A. Hall, Executive Director, Pile Driving Contractors Association
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