Indianapolis Attracts Strong Turnout for NAT 2012

The biennial North American Tunneling (NAT) Conference June 24-27 at the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis. The show featured a strong turnout of well over 800 attendees, a full exhibit hall and a full slate of technical presentations.

Among the social highlights of the event was the Awards Banquet on Tuesday, June 26, which honored the individuals and projects that demonstrate excellence in the industry. The award winners were: James Marquardt (Outstanding Individual Award), Edward Cording (Outstanding Educator Award), Richard Lovat (Lifetime Achievement Award), and the East Side CSO Tunnel (Project of the Year). Former race car driver Lyn St. James was the featured speaker.

Short courses, field trips and other special programs were held before and after the regular program. Short courses included “Grouting in Underground Construction” and “Sequential Excavation Methods in Tunneling.” The opening luncheon was held on Monday, June 25, with Tom Traylor, CEO and Chairman of the Board for Traylor Bros., as the featured speaker.

Monday evening the exhibit hall opened with the popular Ice Breaker Reception, in which attendees can see firsthand the latest products and services available in the industry.

The next NAT will be held June 24-27, 2014, at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles. Next year, UCA of SME will host the Rapid Excavation and Tunneling Conference (RETC), which will be held June 23-26 at the Wardman Park Marriott in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.smenet.org.