Underground Construction - April 2022 - 22

UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
February 7-9, 2023 | Orlando, Fla. | UCTonline.com
UCT 2022 Hosts Flood
of Re-Engaging Attendees
After battling through more than two years of the COVID-19
pandemic, the underground infrastructure industry took another
significant step towards normality last January, as a strong
crowd of interested attendees packed educational sessions
and the exhibit hall at the annual Underground Construction
Technology International Conference & Exhibition.
People attended the event for a variety of reasons. " It was my
first time attending the UCT, " said Tim Sorensen of Aquasol
Corporation. " I think the exhibitors and the people attending
is what made it a good show. Everyone was very friendly and
willing to share their comments and information ... and were
looking at ways to move the industry forward. "
Held at the Fort Worth Convention Center in downtown
Fort Worth, Texas, a host of municipal and other utility personnel,
along with contractors and consulting engineers, sought updated
information from both speakers and exhibit hall personnel.
UCT Convention Director Karen Francis explained, " UCT
is the first major show of the industry, attracting attendees who
don't always have the opportunity to learn and network later in
the year. It was great to see so many new people and experience
the buzz in the exhibit hall after the hiatus.
" Attendees were excited to see equipment and technologies
represented in the booths and in the RehabZone™ and exhibitors
expressed how pleased they were with this past show and
overall attendance, " she added.
Motivated attendee
" In my conversations with many of the attendees, it was obvious
they were at UCT to re-engage within the underground
infrastructure markets, " said UCT Program Director Robert
Carpenter. " Most felt like they had been on a two-year hiatus
22 APRIL 2022 | UCONonline.com
from active work because of COVID prevention protocols.
" Others had money in their pockets - or believe there is a
good chance they will have additional funds soon - due to the
infrastructure bill finally sending many billions for water, sewer,
fiber and electric power applications.
" Attendees were motivated and excited to learn and network,
and UCT was the perfect place to kick off what most
expect to be the first of several strong construction and rehabilitation
years to come, " Carpenter pointed out.
" A tremendous amount of effort went into making this
year's UCT Educational Program highly beneficial and maintain
its status as the benchmark educational opportunity each
year. We were thrilled that 88 percent of attendees reported
that they felt the information they received from those sessions
was good to very good and 100 percent believe the sessions
were beneficial, " he stressed.
As for the exhibition, Francis reported that more than
81percent of post survey respondents said the right people visited
their booths and that has led to greatly increasing re-bookings
over UCT 2022.
Attendance soared 60 percent over the previous UCT, again
reflecting the steady recovery from the pandemic years and a
busy marketplace. The exhibit hall was full of new equipment
and product developments. The RehabZone also returned with
its technology exhibits, demonstrations and interactive events.
UCT attendee Rod Thornhill, president of White Rock
Consultants, said UCT meets his essential needs. " UCT provides
the three things I want to receive from any technical
conference: networking with people in my industry, relevant
presentations and CEUs. The Ethics course is particularly useful
for me. " *
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Underground Construction - April 2022

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