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ATTENTION
SOUTHEAST BRANCH MEMBERS!
Do you have news or
events to share on this webpage? Send them to Sharon Valiante at
svaliante@missouricitytx.gov
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
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Platinum Sponsors |
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Event Sponsors |
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Bury + Partners |
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AGC of Texas |
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Freese and Nichols |
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HNTB |
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Huitt-Zollars |
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Jacobs Carter
Burgess |
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Rush Truck Center |
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Lime Association of Texas |
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TYMCO |
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| Gold
Sponsors |
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Silver Sponsors |
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| Chiang,
Patel & Yerby |
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Aguirre
& Fields |
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Dannenbaum Engineering |
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Binkley
& Barfield |
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| East
Jordan Iron Works |
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Bureau
Veritas |
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| Fugro
Consultants |
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CDM |
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| Malcolm
Pirnie |
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Cutler
Repaving |
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| SEM
Materials |
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Hanson
Pipe and Precas |
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HDR/Claunch
& Miller |
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Kimloch
Equipment & Supply |
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Golf Sponsors |
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Neel-Schaffer |
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N.
Harris County Regional Water Authority |
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| HDR/Claunch
& Miller |
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PBS&J |
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Huitt-Zollars |
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S & B
Technology |
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| Jacobs
Carter Burgess |
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TCB
AECOM |
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| Rapid
Road Repairs Products |
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Transystems |
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Refreshment Underwriters |
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Amani Engineering |
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Geotest Engineering |
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