Monthly Update - August 2021

NFL legend Joe Theismann featured speaker at 2021 CGA Conference & Expo     

Author: Sarah Magruder Lyle, CGA President and CEO

I am thrilled that World Champion quarterback, broadcaster and entrepreneur Joe Theismann will be the Featured Speaker at the Breaking New Ground Luncheon (Thursday, Oct. 14) as part of the 2021 CGA Conference & Expo being held in-person at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld® Oct. 12-15 in Orlando!

During his motivational speech, Theismann will inspire our damage prevention community to partner together on our “Game Plan for Success,” as we look to drive innovative solutions to solve the challenges we face as an industry, and engage in meaningful collaboration that results in actionable solutions. Additionally, Principal Conference Sponsor Stake Center Locating will host a photo session with Theismann the morning of his keynote presentation. Conference attendees are invited to stop by booth 517 on the Expo floor for photo opportunities from 8-9 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 14.

If you haven’t already done so, make sure to visit www.CGAConference.com to register now for the 2021 CGA Conference & Expo. On the website, you can view the full schedule of educational sessions, read about the keynote speaker for the Wednesday luncheon – HERO Effect® Creator Kevin Brown – and learn about 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 1,800 CGA members. Make sure your team is represented by becoming a Tailgate Teammate Sponsor for the event. Sponsorship benefits include event signage, recognition and a tailgate or team-themed prize giveaway. Current players include:

• Alabama 811 – Auburn University
• irth Solutions – Cleveland Browns
• Ohio 811 – Ohio State University
• West Valley Construction – San Francisco Giants
• KorTerra – Minnesota Vikings
• Kentucky 811 – University of Kentucky
• TECO Energy – Tampa Bay Lightening

As always, I truly appreciate our Conference speakers, exhibitors, sponsors and partners for contributing your knowledge and expertise to help us Break New Ground together this October! For questions, please contact conference@commongroundalliance.com. 

I look forward to seeing everyone in-person in Orlando!

New member spotlight: The Claims Center/JNR Adjustment Center

Author: Khrysanne Kerr, VP of Marketing and Outreach 

Facility owners invest millions of dollars building and maintaining their infrastructure and brand name recognition. When a utility damage occurs, trained personnel are needed to investigate promptly; this service combined with a tailored recovery strategy is what makes The Claims Center (TCC) and JNR Adjustment Company (JNR) a winning combination.

TCC understands the importance of capturing the details which leads to the successful recovery of dollars owed. They bring their strong investigation talent to their clients and balance this with outstanding customer service and solid recovery results. Whether it’s training technicians how to investigate or utilizing their investigators, TCC has the field expertise and 24/7 support to capture the damage details at the time of the damage event. TCC offers a full menu of services with its trained research, invoicing and recovery teams to secure the information on both identified, and unknown parties to resolve your open claims successfully. 

Meeting subrogation performance targets is difficult under the best of conditions, but under any circumstance JNR is the gold standard for recovering damage costs. JNR has the ability to make progress with insurance companies and to handle sensitive situations tactfully; JNR brings the knowledge and experience to get the job done. Their team of claim professionals proficiently increase recovery amounts, improve recovery cycle time, address backlogged recovery files and handle arbitration matters for claims.

Please help in welcoming TCC and JNR as new CGA members, and make sure to meet their staff in booth 702 during the 2021 CGA Conference & Expo.

OKIE 811 brews 811 Pilsner to help raise damage prevention awareness

Author: Susan Bohl and Angie Niemeyer, OKIE 811

In order to help raise awareness about contacting 811 before you dig, OKIE 811 worked with a local brewery to create 811 Pilsner! The beer, sold as a 4-pack of 16 oz. cans for $8.11, will be available in several bars and liquor stores around the Oklahoma City metropolitan throughout the month of August, while supplies last. The cans, designed by OKIE 811 staff member Stephen Shenold, feature a QR code that will help collect information from the consumer and offer a chance to enter a giveaway of $811, sponsored by Energy Worldnet.

OKIE 811 is also partnering with the Pipeliners Club of Oklahoma City to host an 811 Day Summer Mixer at the Brewer’s Union in Oklahoma City for an evening of fun and prize giveaways. 811 Pilsner will be available for purchase, with all beer sales going directly to the Pipeliners Club scholarship program.

811 on deck at Major League Baseball games on August 11

More than 20 CGA members have partnered together to bring awareness of National 811 Day during multiple Major League Baseball (MLB) games next Wednesday, August 11. Premier ballpark signage will reach millions of MLB fans reminding everyone to call 811 before you dig.

Keep an eye out for 811 signage at the following MLB games on Aug. 11:

• Colorado Rockies @ Houston Astros
• NY Yankees @ Kansas City Royals
• LA Dodgers @ Philadelphia Phillies
• Miami Marlins @ San Diego Padres
• Texas Rangers @ Seattle Mariners
• Chicago White Sox @ Minnesota Twins
• Toronto Blue Jays @ LA Angels
• Oakland Athletics @ Cleveland Indians
• Arizona Diamondbacks @ San Francisco Giants
• St. Louis Cardinals @ Pittsburgh Pirates
• Milwaukee Brewers @ Chicago Cubs
• Cincinnati Reds @ Atlanta Braves

Thank you to Dig Alert, Energy Transfer, Southern Star,  CO 811, Equistar Chemicals, Atmos Energy, Buckeye Partners, Kinder Morgan, CenterPoint Energy, Texas 811, Air Products, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Gas Company, Xcel Energy, Boardwalk Pipelines, TC Energy/Columbia Gas Transmission, Julie Inc, Colorado Pipeline Association, Phillips 66, Southern Company Gas and Georgia 811 for partnering on this exciting public awareness campaign.

CGA releases Best Practices Guide 18.0 – order your copies today!

Author: Erika Lee, CGA Vice President

CGA is pleased to announce the release of Best Practices Guide 18.0 online and in print copies! This new edition includes two new practices (2-19 and 6-19) and an addition to Appendix B: Uniform Color Code and Marking Guidelines, which reflects technology advancements being utilized in damage prevention. CGA’s Best Practices Guide is the preeminent and trusted resource for the industry, with more than 160 consensus-based practices that cover all phases of the safe digging process.

To view the Best Practices Guide 18.0 online and place your orders for hard copies of the guide, which will ship this month, visit BestPractices.CommonGroundAlliance.com. If your organization needs a rush order, please email materials@commongroundalliance.com.

The Best Practices toolkit is available online to support members, stakeholders and the damage prevention industry in using the manual and participating in the best practices process. This year’s toolkit includes infographics to help spread the word about the guide to different sectors of the damage prevention community.

PelicanCorp’s Food for Though webinar available online

Author: Khrysanne Kerr, VP of Marketing and Outreach

Last month, CGA member PelicanCorp hosted our second Food for Thought webinar to discuss proven technological solutions you need to consider to meet the four most impactful opportunities the damage prevention industry has today. The technology discussed was based on the recent CGA Next Practices Initiative Report to the Industry. Attendees also learned about solutions for four key takeaway points from the 2020 CGA Locator White Paper.

For those that were unable to attend or would like to go back and relisten to the webinar, click here. Stay tuned for future Food for Thought webinar announcements! If you’re interested in sponsoring an upcoming webinar, please fill out this online form.

Exciting partnership opportunity at this year’s Utility Expo

Author: Khrysanne Kerr, VP of Marketing and Outreach

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has partnered with CGA to provide an opportunity to interact and educate more than 19,000 potential diggers from all utility sectors at the newly branded Utility Expo (formerly ICUEE).

Attendees will travel from all 50 states to attend the biennial event Sept. 28-30, 2021, at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, KY. 811 ambassador and host of the Direction® TV show Mark Stowe will be onsite with the 811 bass boat and 811 gator utility vehicle!

Be a part of this leading industry event for a $1,000 investment. All partners will be recognized on social media, in newsletter articles and onsite during the event. Participants will be registered as part of the exhibit and encouraged to attend the event. Please note, travel costs are the responsibility of the attendee.

Click here to learn more and register to participate. For questions, email Khrysanne Kerr at kerr@commongroundalliance.com. 

CGA Groundbreaker Awards nominations coming soon

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 next Wednesday, Aug. 11 (811 Day) and winners will be announced as part of the 2021 CGA Conference & Expo. Watch your inbox and CGA’s Engage platform for information about how to make a nomination next week.