Monthly Update - October 2022

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2023 CGA Conference & Expo kicks off in six months!     

Author: Sarah Magruder Lyle, CGA President and CEO

In six months, the 2023 CGA Conference & Expo will bring together the industry’s foremost experts and decision makers April 17-21, 2023 in Orlando, Fla. We will share new ideas and collaborations, discuss emerging and innovative technology, and network as we meet our industry’s persistent challenges head-on.

The CGA Conference & Expo is already on a waitlist for the 50,000-square-foot Expo hall as we welcome almost 80 exhibitors to the flagship damage prevention event of the year!

Conference attendees can look forward to educational, action-oriented programming to engage stakeholders in thoughtful discussions, interactive breakout sessions and networking events with key industry decision-makers. CGA is excited to offer new programs to the Conference this year, including Dig, Demo, Discuss presented by Ditch Witch; the CGA National Cornhole Championship presented by Stake Center Locating; daily briefings at 8:11 a.m., offsite educational tours; and more! Click here to watch a recording of the “New for You at the CGA Conference & Expo” webinar to learn about all the new 2023 offerings.

As I mentioned in last month’s CGA Monthly update, Susan O’Malley, former president of Washington Sports and Entertainment and the first female president of a professional sports franchise, will be the keynote speaker. During her motivational speech, Susan will share her WIN Theory in which she will outline three keys to being a success at any level of business, as well as her own lessons about leadership to help inspire the damage prevention industry to be innovators in the field. In addition to the keynote session, Susan will be part of the Women in Damage Prevention Roundtable session.

Lastly, we will close the 2023 CGA Expo with the Night of Networking presented by Urbint.

Registration for the Conference will open in early November. Look for details coming soon to your inbox, as well as on www.cgaconference.com, Engage and CGA’s social media pages. In the meantime, visit the Conference website to view the schedule-at-a-glance and to submit your 2023 CGA Call for Proposal through Nov. 1.

For questions about the Conference, please contact [email protected]

CGA Next Practices GIS Working Group visits UtiliSource jobsite for damage prevention mapping process demonstration

Author: Sarah Magruder Lyle, CGA President and CEO

Earlier this month, as part of the Next Practices Initiative, member UtiliSource gave an in-field demonstration of their comprehensive damage prevention locating and mapping process to the GIS Working Group, which is focused on identifying opportunities to pursue accurate, accessible GIS-based mapping across the damage prevention industry. 

Each attendee was able to capture GPS coordinates utilizing equipment and software used by UtiliSource. Working group members met the following day at Spire’s offices in St. Louis, Mo. to discuss how to develop and document the people, processes and technology needed to move the damage prevention industry forward in utilizing GIS effectively to map and provide access to accurate facility information.

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Update from Kentucky 811

Earlier this year, Kentucky 811 announced that they would be transitioning into a new partnership with One Call Concepts Inc. (OCC) for 811 notification services. These services include receiving, processing and transmitting underground utility locate requests.

Kentucky 811 is proud to share that transition to the new one call center services was successfully completed on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. This transition marks the beginning of Kentucky 811’s partnership with OCC and the beginning of a new age in damage prevention in Kentucky. We are proud to be doubling down on our commitment to making Kentucky a safer place to live and work.

The ITICnxt system is now live for processing locate requests online. You can visit kentucky811.org or head directly to ITICnxt at ky.itic.occinc.com to submit your tickets. Be sure to keep an eye on Kentucky811.org for new tools, trainings and educational opportunities.

The 2022 MWDPTC is less than one month away!

Author: Mary Patricia Kindt, Indiana 811

The 2022 Midwest Damage Prevention Training Conference (MWDPTC), hosted by Indiana 811, is less than one month away, but there is still time to register! We will honor the MWDPTC’s momentous 10th anniversary with a special Old West theme, so dust off your boots and come ready for a good time at the historic French Lick Resort, located in the beautiful Southern Indiana countryside.

Attendees of the 2022 MWDPTC, a CGA Regional Partner event, can look forward to a phenomenal lineup of the most sessions in conference history, inspiring and motivational speakers, including CGA Vice President of Marketing and Outreach Khrysanne Kerr, the chance to connect with members of the damage prevention community through networking events, the Best Dressed in the West costume contest at the Wild West Welcome Reception, the new Indiana 811 augmented reality experience and so much more.

The conference will kick off the morning of Nov. 9 with our highly-anticipated networking events, where attendees can connect with friends both old and new while they horseback ride, play a round of golf on one of the top courses in Indiana or practice their aim at the clay pigeon shoot. The fun will continue in the bustling exhibit hall at the Wild West Welcome Reception, where attendees can flaunt their western pride during the Best Dressed in the West Costume Contest!

The MWDPTC offers industry stakeholders the opportunity to advance their knowledge of damage prevention and safety practices, specifically through our educational sessions taking place Nov. 10-11. This year’s expanded lineup of sessions led by industry subject matter experts will cover topics relating to every industry stakeholder group, including safety, industry trends, workplace behavior and psychology, best practices and more. MWDPTC attendees can also receive Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credits for attending sessions at the conference.

We’re looking forward to another fantastic MWDPTC with our wonderful sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees. Don’t miss out on the fun this year - register today!

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Watch “New for You” CGA Conference & Expo webinar online

Author:  Khrysanne Kerr, VP of Marketing and Outreach  

CGA hosted the “New for You” webinar to give an overview of the exciting new events and features at the 2023 CGA Conference & Expo, including the new Dig, Demo, Discuss outdoor expo, offsite educational tours, additional educational opportunities and more! 

For those that were unable to attend or would like to rewatch the webinar, click here to watch a recording.

Check out just a few of the new things in store at the 2023 CGA Conference & Expo

  • Dedicated educational series for One Call Center Boards: Specialized sessions to address the needs of directors to create more effective government process, understand board dynamics and build positive board culture.
  • Dig, Demo, Discuss – presented by Ditch Witch: View new innovative products and services from the damage prevention industry’s leading exhibitors. Just steps off the indoor exhibit floor, you can see equipment in action, demo products and experience hands on learning with our network of professionals. Dedicated hours for demonstrations as well as outdoor education sessions connecting the jobsite to reality will occur.
  • Daily Briefing: Begin your day at 8:11 am as CGA leadership provides an update on the daily happenings and any changes in the schedule. A daily handout will be provided as well to assist you in navigating all the education and activities.
  • Official Show DJ – presented by Stake Center Locating: Stay in the know as the one-man hype band known as DJ-Q provides information updates, official show jams and entertains during the CGA Night of Networking Closing Ceremony.
  • *CGA National Cornhole Championship: Be the boss of the toss and register to win the First Annual CGA National Cornhole Championship. Bracket tournament played daily. All games played during open exhibit hours, no partner substitutions. Single elimination for your chance be crowned, the Champion.
  • *Offsite Tours: Damage prevention is on the road the final afternoon of the Expo as multiple offsite industry tours with deluxe motorcoach transportation are being offered. Learn about how damage prevention process intersects and addresses challenges at various venues throughout the Orlando area.
    • Duke Energy/Disney Solar Farm and City of Orlando Water Reclamation Facility Tour: Tour two different facilities and learn about their operations, maintenance, and how they were developed. At the solar farm, view the panels, inverters, transformer, and weather station and at the water facility, you’ll learn about the wastewater treatment process and its effects on the environment.
    • SeaWorld 2023 Construction Projects Tour: Go on a behind the scenes tour of the construction projects that will be unveiled at SeaWorld in 2023. These range from early-stage development to near completion.
    • Kennedy Space Center Tour – presented by Orbital Sidekick: Go behind the gates of NASA on the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour that includes views of launch pads and the Vehicle Assembly Building. This private, guided tour will include a visit to the Apollo/Saturn V Center, which includes a multi-sensory presentation of the Apollo 8 launch. Lastly, head to the visitor’s complex, where the space shuttle Atlantis is displayed. On the bus to and from Kennedy Space Center, learn about results from Orbital Sidekick’s latest space adventures.

*Indicates additional charge outside registration fee.

Register for Food for Thought webinar presented by KorTerra

Author:  Khrysanne Kerr, VP of Marketing and Outreach  

Join CGA member KorTerra, a leading provider of ticket management solutions, for the next Food for Thought webinar on Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. ET.

The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Bill that was passed in late 2021 is beginning to have an impact on the damage prevention community. When combining this increased volume of work with an already challenging environment where costs are rising and labor shortages are prevalent, industry leaders are being challenged to do more with less and the ecosystem is facing an increased risk of damages. 

KorTerra's Jim Plasynski, Brian Peters and Tom Hall will discuss these challenges and how leading companies are focusing on how a combination of great people, strong processes and modern technology can reduce damages amidst this challenging environment. 

To register for the Food for Thought webinar, click here.

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CGA releases 2021 DIRT Report

Author: Steven Blaney, DIRT Program Manager

CGA published the 2021 DIRT Report highlighting ongoing damage prevention challenges amid increasing excavation activity. 

The annual DIRT Report is the only comprehensive accounting and analysis of damages to buried utilities in the U.S. and Canada, and its valuable insights are an industry resource for targeting damage prevention outreach and programs.

To read the full Report visit https://dirt.commongroundalliance.com/. Click here to view the Report tools and resources. 

In addition to the key takeaways in the 2021 DIRT Report, be sure to visit the DIRT Interactive Dashboard to explore the data that is most relevant to your organization or stakeholder group. 

CGA thanks the Data Reporting and Evaluation Committee for their diligent contribution to preparing the important analysis and thoughtful recommendations included in this report. Without the valuable time and information provided by our members and committees, CGA would not be able to produce our annual DIRT Report and recommendations.

For questions regarding the DIRT Dashboard, please email Steven Blaney.

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White Paper highlights gas distribution stakeholders’ critical role in damage prevention

Author: Erika Lee, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Programs

CGA recently published the new 2022 White Paper, new White Paper, “Natural Gas: Leading the Damage Prevention Industry,” which points to the natural gas sector’s influential position in the damage prevention industry and shares actions that all stakeholders can take to drive damages down.

CGA’s Natural Gas White Paper consolidates the major themes from the natural gas research into four key takeaways:

  1. Natural gas distribution stakeholders are deeply engaged in damage prevention and can expand what they perceive as their central role in the industry.
  2. Shifting the focus to internal processes and programs is more likely to drive immediate industry-wide improvements.
  3. Improving locating through greater emphasis on mapping and fair contracts could help advance U.S. damage prevention as a whole.
  4. Seizing opportunities to increase investments in technology will be critical to reducing damages to natural gas facilities.

The full White Paper is available to all CGA members here. Learn more about CGA’s reports, including past White Papers focused on locators and excavators, by visiting the CGA website.

2023 CGA Conference Call for Proposals due on Nov. 1

Author: Khrysanne Kerr, VP of Marketing and Outreach  

Presenting an educational session at the 2023 CGA Conference & Expo provides an opportunity to build your professional network and participate in developing the future of damage prevention. Whether presenting as an individual or as part of a panel, industry leaders want to learn from you! Case studies, new and proven technologies, as well as experiences and lessons-learned, will all make for engaging content.

Submission Types:

Presentations: (typically 45 minutes/one hour)

  • Share topics of interest, lessons learned, and case studies focused on the impact to damage prevention. Presenters are typically individuals and often provide ways to actively engage the audience. (Maximum four presenters)

Optional opportunities will be available should your session not be selected, such as:

Moderated Roundtable Discussions: (typically 60 minutes)

  • Showcase a variety of perspectives and insights about a specific topic. The moderator is responsible for facilitating the discussion while encouraging audience questions and contributions and framing in a manner that will help attendees apply lessons learned.

Panels: (Typically 60 minutes)

  • Discussions about a specific topic amongst a selected group of panelists who share differing perspectives on a clearly defined topic. These groups of experts will build on their co-presenter’s narrative offering thought-provoking insight and encouraging audience interaction.

CGA Engage Stage:

  • Where complex industry challenges intersect with innovative industry solutions! This format will showcase our most forward-thinking damage prevention partners addressing challenges brought forth by CGA membership via the CGA Engage platform. Bringing our exhibit floor to life as exhibitors will have the opportunity to provide case studies, cutting-edge technology solutions and proven data via this moderated forum.

Submission Deadline:

Submit your proposal by Nov. 1 for consideration. All submissions are vetted and reviewed by the CGA Conference Advisory Panel comprised of industry leaders of CGA stakeholder groups and Conference management. Applicants will be notified of accepted/denied status by Nov. 30.

If you have a staff member or colleague that would be great for this opportunity, please encourage them to step forward and submit a proposal as well.

Please note, all speakers are responsible for their own Conference registration and travel arrangements.

Click here for the call for proposals FAQ. For all other questions related to proposals, email [email protected]. For questions related to the Conference, email [email protected].

Video series highlights how stakeholders can help make 811 system more efficient

Author: Erika Lee, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Programs

To highlight the critical role that each damage prevention stakeholder group plays, CGA’s Educational Programs & Marketing Committee is creating a series of videos and supporting materials designed to inform each stakeholder group how they can more effectively use 811 to streamline the entire process. The first video in the series focuses on what excavators can do to help make the 811 system more efficient.  

Key recommendations for excavators highlighted in the video include tips for providing more accurate and complete information on a ticket and ways to reduce the quantity of ticket requests to lessen the burden on the 811 center

The video can be used by damage prevention stakeholders to inform excavators of their key role in the 811 process and the simple changes they can make to help the system run more efficiently and effectively for all involved. Along with the video, the Educational Programs & Marketing Committee created supporting materials, including infographics, Facebook post examples and more, that can be used to further reach excavators with these important messages. Visit call811.com/excavator to download the video and supporting materials.  

The Educational Programs & Marketing Committee is continuing to develop additional videos that address effective use of 811 for each stakeholder group. Stay tuned for the next topic in the series, which will cover the role of facility owner/operators in an efficient 811 system.

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