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2008 Congress to Celebrate New Orleans Renewal

The cultural riches and unparalleled service that define the New Orleans experience are back and ready for you! In the spirit of this renewal, the Louisiana Chapter and the APWA staff are working tirelessly to prepare a conference that will be both informative and memorable. Check out the entire program on the 2008 Congress website!  Also plan on attending the TPWA Chapter Dinner to be held on the evening of August 19, 2008.  SAVE THE DATE - MAKE RESERVATIONS TODAY

TPWA CHAPTER DINNER
 

The TPWA Chapter Dinner will be held on August 19, 2008 in conjunction with the annual APWA Conference in New Orleans. The event will be aboard he Creole Queen located on the Mississippi River, just 5 minutes walking distance from the Hilton Riverside Hotel. We will start to board the Creole Queen at 7:00 pm and the party will last until 10:00 pm. The menu for the buffet dinner is as follows:
 

Mardi Gras Mambo Dinner Menu

Caesar Salad
New Orleans Jambalaya (Chicken and Sausage)
Creole Chicken Smothered in a Garlic Sauce
Cajun Braised Beef Brisket
Shrimp Creole
Cajun Mashed Potatoes

Paddle wheeler Bread Pudding  With white chocolate sauce
Bread and Butter
New Orleans Dark Coffee and Iced Tea
 

2 drink tickets will be provided for everyone and a cash bar will be available after the tickets are used.  The cost will be no greater than $55 per person, and a sponsorship is in the works. The cost of entry may be lowered in time as sponsorships may change between now and August. Please plan to attend this fun, annual event with your Texas Chapter peers at the PWA Annual Congress and Equipment Show in New Orleans this year. Email syoungblood@ntta.org now for advance registration by August 17th to ensure a spot.
 

A sign-in book will be available at Registration if space is still available. However, the potential size of the Texas delegation may prevent on-site reservation if space is not available. Please include your name, contact information and number of reservations. Reservations are required - no-shows will be billed!
 

For more information about the Creole Queen, please go to www.neworleanspaddlewheels.com.   See you in New Orleans!

J C Wood, Jr., P.E.
Vice President
Texas Chapter

Texas Public Works Association Annual Conference & Equipment Show

Written by Sharon Valiante

The Texas Public Works Association Annual Conference & Equipment Show, hosted by the Southeast Branch of TPWA, was held, June 11-14, 2008, at the Moody Gardens Hotel, Resort and Convention Center, Galveston, Texas.  The event saw well over 400 delegates register and over 100 exhibitors participate in the Equipment show.

The event kicked off with a Golf Tournament at the newly renovated Moody Gardens Golf Course on Wednesday, June 11, 2008, followed by the event’s Welcome Reception, poolside terrace at Moody Gardens.  A special feature this year for our welcome to the conference was the “Texas Hold Em” poker contest, which was held in the exhibit area – something new for the exhibitors to encourage visitation and traffic thru their area.  The contest was well received and most all enjoyed the excitement of drawing that biggest and best hand!  The prize? - $500 cash!  The winning hand was a four of a kind – and, yes, they all were Aces.  With all that excitement behind us, Thursday morning bright and early, the big breakfast and general session kicked off the technical part of the conference.  That morning’s guest speaker, Michael Marot, PE, Director of Public Works, City of Houston, gave a great recount of just a portion of what the City of Houston was up to in Public Works. From there, it was time to reel it in and head for the technical sessions.  The education program was a treat with many speakers and presentations to rival the best of the best educational programs.  Intertwined with the technical sessions, the exhibitors received, entertained, and talked turkey (biz) with many of the conference delegates and visitors about their equipment, services and wares.  That night, all were treated to a Family style hamburger, hot dog with all the trimmings buffet dinner at the Moody Gardens Palm Beach area.  What a treat!  It rained a bit, but all enjoyed the event with a complimentary glass of wine while we waited for the thunder shower to go its course.  After that, Katy bar the door – good food, good spirits (pun intended here, too!) and good tunes and times were in store!  Not too much party and fun, though, as it was back to the grind on Friday morning - breakfast, educational sessions and then the technical tours to cap off the educational program.

And, then – the all waited for Awards Reception and Banquet on Friday night.  What a grand event with many in attendance.  This event was one of the biggest so far for our area – we received and seated almost 200 at this event and awarded almost 50 well-deserved awardees.  The reception prior to the banquet also saw two of the local Southeast Branch’s members receive some national recognition – Eric Dargan – City of Houston, Public Works and Engineering – Community Service and Scott R. Elmer, PE, City of Missouri City Public Works – Top Ten Public Works Leader of the Year – 2008.  And, finally, as always to say farewell and to end a great conference, the Lime Association of Texas’ Farewell Lime Breakfast hit us on Saturday morning – yes we have lime sherbet for breakfast, and oatmeal, too!

Please Note:  A Special Thanks to our Platinum and Event Sponsors

APWA OVERVIEW

The American Public Works Association (APWA) is a not-for-profit, international educational and professional association of public agencies, private sector companies, and individuals dedicated to providing high quality public works goods and services.  APWA serves its members by promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy and the exchange of knowledge.  APWA is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, and has an office in Washington, D.C.

Originally chartered in 1937, APWA is the largest and oldest organization of its kind in the world, with headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, an office in Washington, D.C., and 67 chapters throughout North America. APWA provides a forum in which public works professionals can exchange ideas, improve professional competency, increase the performance of their agencies and companies, and bring important public works-related topics to public attention in local, state and federal arenas.

The association is a highly participatory organization, with hundreds of opportunities for leadership and service, and a network of several dozen national committees in every area of public works. Governed by a 17-member board of directors, elected at both the regional and national levels, APWA is an open, flexible association with a diversified membership of 27,000 and a reputation for quality services and products. 

The American Public Works Association serves its members by promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy and the exchange of knowledge.

Membership in APWA is open to public and private sector individuals, agencies, and companies interested and involved in the delivery of public works goods and services.  For more information, please contact Susan Causey at texaspublicworks@verizon.net