Underground Infrastructure - April 2023 - 16

Underground Infrastructure Conference
booming entertainment venue. For
several years, OKC has been funding
and developing a unique blend of entertainment
and eating complexes such
as Bricktown, Automobile Alley and
Mid-Town, all accessible by a continuously
running trolley. There is also
Scissortail Park, a large complex directly
across the street from the convention
center and hotels.
Another can't-miss att raction is the
National Cowboy & Western Heritage
Museum, America's premier institution
of Western history, art and culture featuring
over 200,000 square feet of exhibits.
HDD Reunion, Hall of Fame
all-encompassing term for the markets
UIC serves.
In fact, " infrastructure " has become
an extremely hot political and public
area of focus, concern and support
through North America and, indeed,
the world. The well-known infrastructure
spending bill
is pumping tens
of billions of dollars into the underground
markets and will be a point of
discussion in many of the UIC educational
presentations.
For those who haven't visited downtown
OKC recently, it has become a
16 APRIL 2023 | UndergroundInfrastructure.com
Returning to UIC will be the bi-annual
HDD Reunion and Hall of Fame
Celebration. Held in partnership with
HDDA, the reunion unites both old and
young drilling contractors. Th e event is
for all those who have and are participating
in the industry, including contractors,
owners, engineers and manufacturers,
no matt er the rig size - from
jumbo to mini units.
In short, the purpose of the reunion is
to celebrate the comradery that is HDD.
UIC has always been the primary event
that embraces the groundbreaking technology
and continues to do so today.
Th e HDD Reunion allows established,
older or retired drillers to
converse with current operators. Attendees,
young and old, swap stories,
compare and contrast early equipment
with modern tools, share experiences,
and renew and sustain old friendships.
Th ose new to the industry will gain
information and knowledge extremely
useful in their current jobs.
Th e HDD market remains a highly
popular, eff ective and amazingly effi -
cient method to install everything from
steel pipe to fi ber conduit. HDD continues
to experience geometric growth,
as virtually every market segment for
underground utility and pipeline infrastructure
construction heavily utilizes
the technology.
In conjunction with the HDD Reunion,
a new HDD Hall of Fame class
will be inducted. Aſt er a thorough review
of nominations, a special industry advisory
committ ee hosted by HDDA will
announce the 2024 class later this year.
Awards
Aſt er the rousing success of the unique
and inspirational Underground Infrastructure
Awards program (formerly
called Underground Construction
Awards), the 2024 UIAs will be held in
Oklahoma City next March in conjunction
with the Underground Infrastructure
Conference.
UIAs will honor the accomplishments
and special people of the underground
infrastructure industry in a
unique, personal and deserving fashion.
To participate in this special event, we
encourage industry members to submit
noteworthy products or projects in construction
and rehabilitation for markets
such as fi ber, energy, electric, sewer, water
and stormwater.
Th e program will recognize accomplishments,
projects and technology
advances that have made a signifi cant
impact on the market. Submitt al details
will be available in the near future. Th is
is a great opportunity to truly recognize
and honor the best of the underground
infrastructure industry. Sponsorships,
tables and individual registrations will
be available soon.
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Underground Infrastructure - April 2023

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