Monthly Update - July 2021

Educational sessions for the 2021 CGA Conference & Expo recently announced     

Author: Sarah Magruder Lyle, CGA President and CEO

CGA recently announced the full schedule of educational sessions that will be offered at the 2021 CGA Conference & Expo happening in-person at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld® Oct. 12-15 in Orlando, Florida! We are excited to provide attendees with engaging sessions from industry-leading speakers spanning six session tracks, which include: Innovation, Stakeholder Engagement and Communications, Workplace Performance and Culture, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, Damage Prevention Process, and CGA Updates. Click here to view the complete session schedule and details, and track descriptions.

The 2021 CGA Conference & Expo will foster the education and networking goals of attendees by integrating CGA committee meetings, hosting industry-leading speakers, carefully curated breakout sessions and discussion groups, a 36,000 square foot interactive exhibit floor featuring the latest damage prevention industry tools and technology, and dedicated networking opportunities to build relationships with other like-minded  professionals. Plus, at the Night of Networking presented by Urbint on Thursday, Oct. 14, we’ll be celebrating CGA’s 20th year committed to preventing damages to underground infrastructure with a closing ceremony and reception recognizing the strides our industry has made over the past two decades. This year’s theme is the CGA Tailgate! Sports fans have always been passionate, dedicated and seeking that positive outcome; much like our more than 1,700 CGA Members. So, suit-up in your favorite gear, enjoy some ballpark food and cheer and represent your team.

Thank you to all our conference speakers and exhibitors for contributing your knowledge and expertise to help us Break New Ground together as an industry this October! If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to register on the CGA Conference & Expo website where you can also view sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities. For questions, please contact conference@commongroundalliance.com. 

I look forward to seeing everyone in-person in Orlando in just three and a half months!

Orbital Sidekick launches damage prevention industry into space

CGA was proud to partner with member Orbital Sidekick (OSK) as they successfully launched the company’s most powerful hyperspectral imaging satellite, Aurora, from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral on June 30! Ahead of the launch, CGA hosted a virtual meet and greet with OSK CEO Dan Katz and CGA President & CEO Sarah Magruder Lyle to discuss how the hyperspectral imaging satellite technology will benefit damage prevention industry stakeholders, including the ability to detect small hydrocarbon leaks and physical threats to pipeline rights of way.

The space launch was livestreamed online. If you missed it or want to watch it again, click here.

Dig Safely New York develops innovative education outlets

Author: Devin R. Negrete, Dig Safely New York

Educating excavators, locators and contractors in safe digging best practices is a top priority for the Dig Safely New York organization. Several trainings, seminars and programs like the Excavator Safety Seminars and Certified Excavator Program have been implemented to ensure all in the industry, within the State of New York, are educated according to the state law. For the last few years, one of the more popular educational opportunities has been the Excavator Safety Seminars, which are hosted in nine Upstate New York regions over a three-week period. The event includes an educational element, networking opportunities and opportunities to increase brand awareness for participating vendors.

The year 2020 gave the organization a new perspective on how to conduct a large event and alternate opportunities that may have been overlooked in the past. In keeping with that practice, the organization is testing a new forum in 2021 called the Damage Prevention Conference & Expo, or DPCE, September 1, at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds. This event will provide even more value than one Excavator Safety Seminar as there will be educational trainings designed for everyone involved in the 811 process. These trainings, or tracks, include classes for General Excavation, Administrative, Utility Locating, Municipal and Member Utility. The conference will also feature CEU (Continuing Education) credits, live demonstrations, professional networking opportunities, industry expert guest speakers and opportunities to meet with vendors to learn more about new innovative products and technology.

These tracked sessions are designed to provide enhanced education to a wide range of audiences within the excavation industry, including excavators, trainers and administrators, utility locators, municipality workers, and member utilities. All tracks have been designed to be completed within one day of the two-day conference. Attendees can choose to participate in an entire track or register for classes in different tracks or days in order to create their own custom schedule to get the most out of their educational experience.

The I Dig Summer Contest is BACK!

Author: Mary Patricia Kindt, Indiana 811 and Kentucky 811

Indiana 811 and Kentucky 811 are excited to share that the fourth annual “I Dig Summer” Contest is back! Excavators in Indiana and Kentucky can participate in the contest this summer by submitting utility tickets online through Exactix Pro for the chance to win cash prizes. Plus, while supplies last, all new Exactix Pros who have also never used our previous software Irth, will receive a free “I Dig Summer” contest T-shirt!

This is a great opportunity for Excavators to become Exactix Pros and get familiar with the new online ticketing platform, which allows users to submit tickets faster and easier than ever before.

Visit www.IDigSummer.com for more information on Indiana 811 and Kentucky 811’s “I Dig Summer” contest.

Let us know about your 811 Day plans

Author: Erika Lee, CGA Vice President

What does your organization have planned for 811 Day (August 11) 2021? Share your planned activities and events, contests and giveaways, and digital campaigns with your peers on Engage. We hope to share some of your plans on CGA's social media pages as well.

Toolkits containing promotional 811 materials are available on the CGA website. New 811 Day resources, including infographics and social media messages, will be posted in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more details.

Utilize CGA’s storm clean-up toolkit after severe weather  

Author: Erika Lee, CGA Vice President

With tornado and hurricane season underway, we wanted to remind members about CGA’s storm clean-up toolkit. If your service area has been impacted by severe weather, please inform the public to call 811 before digging or any storm clean-up efforts. The toolkit includes social media images and messages, press releases, columns, PSA templates and case studies to ensure that the public remains safe and underground facilities remain protected during any clean-up efforts. Click here to access the toolkit on CGA’s website. 

Introducing the CGA Groundbreaker Awards

Author: Khrysanne Kerr, VP of Marketing and Outreach

CGA is excited to announce the new CGA Groundbreaker Awards honoring extemporary efforts in underground damage prevention and safety. Nominations (individual or organization) will open on 811 Day (August 11) and winners will be announced as part of the 2021 CGA Conference & Expo. Stay tuned for complete rules and information on how to make a nomination.

CGA hosts virtual summer committee meetings

Author: Erika Lee, CGA Vice President

CGA hosted virtual summer committee meeting on June 15-17. The meetings were condensed and focused on facilitated roundtable discussions, key program updates and task team reports. We would like to thank all the committee co-chairs, task team leaders and attendees for participating in such productive and thoughtful meetings.

We look forward to the next round of committee meetings being held in-person Oct. 12, as part of the 2021 CGA Conference & Expo. Click here to view the fall committee meeting schedule, as well as the educational sessions planned for the conference.

New 2022 CGA Conference & Expo Dates announced  

Author: Sarah Magruder Lyle, CGA President and CEO

Earlier this week, CGA announced due to a large citywide event in Anaheim, Calif., the venue for the 2022 CGA Conference & Expo asked us to adjust the dates. The 2022 CGA Conference & Expo will now take place April 5-8, 2022. Please be sure to mark your calendars for these new dates, as we know spring is a busy time of year for our industry. We look forward to kicking off next year’s National Safe Digging Month with our members in Anaheim!

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