Monthly Update - September 2022

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First female professional sports franchise president, Susan O’Malley, announced as 2023 CGA Conference keynote speaker

Author: Sarah Magruder Lyle, CGA President and CEO

I am thrilled that 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 at the 2023 CGA Conference & Expo happening April 17-21 in Orlando, Fla.

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.

In addition to the keynote session, 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 offering new and exciting programs to the Conference this year, including Dig, Demo Discuss; CGA National Cornhole Championship; offsite educational tours; and more!

Registration for the Conference will open in Oct. Look for information coming to your inbox soon. In the meantime, visit www.cgaconference.com to view the schedule-at-a-glance and submit your 2023 CGA Call for Proposal Sept. 15 through Nov. 1.

I look forward to seeing everyone in Orlando as the industry sets out On the Road to Zero damages to underground utilities!


New member spotlight: Pergam Technical Services

Author: Khrysanne Kerr, VP of Marketing and Outreach 

Pergam Technical Services specializes in remote methane detection and leak quantification. They provide aerial, stationary (24/7 remote monitoring), monitoring by vehicle, UAV and handheld options (including the new LM-Smart) in methane leak detection. 

Among the innovative technology Pergram utilizes is the Ultra Pro Acoustic Detector by Distran, used– to quickly pinpoint and quantify leaks of any type of gas and/or vacuums.

Pergam also provides the Gas Tracker 2 and the Aqua PL for locating gas and water pipes without tracing wires.

Located near Seattle, Was. since 2006, Pergam is happy to help make leak detection easier and safer for everyone. 

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Noteworthy CGA member 8/11 Day campaigns

Throughout 8/11 Day (Aug. 11) last month, CGA members across the country executed impressive and creative campaigns that helped spread the 811 safety message! From concert sponsorships and augmented reality filters to partnerships at baseball games and more, there was no shortage of noteworthy member campaigns and impactful partnerships:

  • 811 Chicago executed a billboard and signage campaign across the city of Chicago to promote “call 811 before you dig”. Messaging appeared on wrapped metro busses and railcars, as well as digital billboards along major highways and bus stops. 
  • Air Products, CenterPoint Energy, Dow Chemical, Energy Transfer, Enterprise Products, Equistar Chemicals LP, ExxonMobil, Kinder Morgan, Magellan Midstream Partners LP, Marathon Pipe Line, Phillips 66, Plains All American Pipeline and Texas811 funded a partnership at three Live Nation concerts in Houston that included 811 video advertisements and signage before and during performances.
  • American Petroleum Institute (API) published an updated standard on pipeline operators’ public awareness programs on 8/11 Day to provide new guidance on how pipeline operators can manage their public awareness programs.
  • Black Hills Corporation, Boardwalk Pipelines, Buckeye Partners LP, Energy Transfer, Equistar Chemicals LP, Iowa One Call, Magellan Midstream Partners LP, Phillips 66, Pipeline Association for Public Awareness (PAPA), PG&E and Texas811 funded 811’s official partnership with MiLB’s Field of Dreams game, which featured in-stadium 811 signage, website takeovers and more.
  • Carvertise highlighted what several of their clients executed for 8/11 Day via posts on their Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn pages, including Louisiana 811, Oregon 811, Nebraska 811, Utah 811 and Dig Alert.
  • CenterPoint Energy partnered with Kona Ice trucks in select cities across their eight-state territory to deliver frozen treats to local community members and reminded patrons to contact 811 before starting any outdoor digging projects.
  • Columbia Gas of Ohio counted down the days to 8/11 Day on billboards throughout its service territory. On 8/11 Day, the company’s damage prevention specialists spent the day reaching out to local landscaping teams with information on proper landscaping practices near gas facilities. They also partnered with minor league baseball team, the Toledo Mud Hens, to share the 8/11 Day message on the Jumbotron, throw the promotional first pitch and hand out giveaways to attendees.
  • Dig Safe New England reached thousands of sports fans with the 8/11 Day message with radio PSAs during the Red Sox vs. Orioles game on Aug. 11, and a billboard at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Dig Safe New England also sponsored an 811 banner beach flyover to reach beachgoers from Massachusetts to Maine with the safe digging message.
  • Georgia 811's external teams made in-person visits to stakeholders on 8/11 Day, offering resources, training and 811 goodies. Georgia 811 also distributed an 8/11 Day press release to spread the word about safe digging practices in their local news outlets and announced via newsletter that registration for their first Damage Prevention Summit on Oct. 6 has opened.
  • Indiana 811 hosted a booth at the Indiana State Fair in partnership with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and showcased a special augmented reality filter that shows both homeowners and professionals the dangers of failing to contact 811 before digging. The Indiana 811 logo was featured on the iconic Indiana State Fair Midway arch for all to see.
  • Miss Utility of MD/DC delivered cakes to TV stations across Washington, D.C., and Baltimore to inform local media about 811 and encouraged them to share the 8/11 Day message on the air. Additionally, Miss Utility additionally hosted a Touch-a-Truck event to further reach homeowners and teach children about safe excavation practices.
  • Nevada Regional Common Ground Alliance hosted an 8/11 Day celebration on Aug. 6 at Cowabunga Bay waterpark in Las Vegas, offering discounted tickets with the promotional code “811DAY” and held giveaways to promote 811 to park guests.
  • Nicor Gas held a safe digging sweepstakes where customers who practiced safe digging by contacting 811 would be automatically entered to win a $500 gift card. Nicor Gas also worked with the National Excavator Initiative to promote the safe digging message with popular TV personality Mike Rowe via radio, print, online media and billboard campaigns.
  • Pennsylvania 811 hosted an 8/11 Day celebration to commemorate its 50 years of service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with a VIP reception and a safety day conference at the Mohegan Sun Pocono in Wilkes Barre. The 811 center also partnered with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and minor league baseball teams for a media campaign to promote safe digging to sports fans.
  • Phillips 66 celebrated 8/11 Day with all kinds of goodies and swag, including the popular 8/11 Day socks, and had a banner flying over their corporate campus to help draw attention to #811BeforeYouDig.
  • PHMSA partnered with the Washington Nationals baseball team to help raise awareness of the "Know What's Below. Call 811 Before You Dig" safety campaign in support of 8/11Day. Pre-game activities held outside the ballpark featured the 811 Bike and more.
  • UtiliQuest leveraged 8/11 Day to debut their new website, logo and branding. UtiliQuest shared the news on their social media channels to promote the 811 safety message to their followers.
  • We Energies and North Shore Gas both held local ‘Ambassadog’ competitions, encouraging local residents to submit photos of their dogs digging in order to win. The winning dogs will be featured in awareness campaigns next year to remind homeowners about safe digging practices. 
  • Westfield Gas + Electric partnered with local baseball team, the Westfield Starfires, on Aug. 4 for an 8/11 Day in the Ballpark event. At the event, branded 811 items including baseballs, keychains, and magnets were handed out, in addition to the first pitch being thrown using a baseball with the 811 logo on it.

Ohio 811 celebrates 50th anniversary

Last month, dozens of people gathered to celebrate 50 years of safe digging in Ohio! Ohio 811 has been promoting public safety through the protection of Ohio’s critical network of underground utilities since the early 1970s.

The event featured a time capsule filled with items representing local history spanning the past 50 years and will not be opened again for 100 years! Ohio 811 also plans to unveil a timeline wall at its headquarters, celebrating the story of the organization's development and featuring notable events in Mahoning Valley, OH history.

Spire educates the public on 811 day, earns media coverage from 5 TV stations

In August, Spire employees hit the ground running in cities across their service area to educate the public about the importance of safe digging. How did they get people engaged in their message? By inviting a beloved local news reporter to get down and dirty and put the crews’ skills to test in the field. Reporter Tim Ezell, with FOX 2 News in St. Louis, suited up with a vest and hard hat and learned about safe digging from the team live on TV throughout the morning show. First up, crews had him try out some equipment to locate and mark a gas line. Throughout the morning, viewers watched as Tim (under the supervision of professionals) used a shovel to dig all the way down to the area of the gas line. It was a chance to give people a closer look into employees’ day-to-day work and the process of safely marking a gas line.

TV stations in Kansas City and Joplin, Mo., and Montgomery, Al., also interviewed Spire professionals about the importance of calling 811 before digging. In addition to getting the word out about 8/11 Day in the media, Spire hosted a breakfast for municipalities in the St. Louis region who won a “Silver Shovel” award. The award was granted to those who went an entire year without damaging a Spire gas line. Safety should be rewarded!


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JULIE announces damage prevention advocacy awards

The Board of Directors at JULIE announced the winners of the first Gina Meehan-Taylor Damage Prevention Advocacy Awards. David Tidball, a damage prevention specialist for ComEd, and Rich Kuczkowski, Jr., a superintendent for Nash Brothers Construction, were chosen as the 2022 recipients for their dedication as advocates of damage prevention.

Selected from a pool of nominations throughout Illinois, JULIE selected Tidball because of the positive impact he has made through outreach, advocacy and education. In the nomination submitted by a peer at MetroNet, Tidball was recognized for being one of the most proactive and responsive advocates for safety with a professional and positive attitude.

Kuczkowski was chosen as a second recipient because of his damage prevention work in the excavation industry.  Nominated by a co-worker, Kuczkowski was recognized for his commitment to safety and the prevention of damages on the job site. Since Kuczkowski joined the team, his crews have had zero at-fault damages while installing nearly 1,100 commercial and residential gas services. Kuczkowski was noted for his ability to build relationships with various industry stakeholders.

JULIE established this award in memory of Meehan-Taylor, a damage prevention professional with Ameren Illinois, who was passionate about protecting underground utilities and spreading the message about contacting 811 prior to digging. Meehan-Taylor had also served on our Board of Directors and Public Education Committee.

“Gina was a wonderful friend, colleague and damage prevention champion,” said Mark Frost, JULIE’s executive director. “We are proud her legacy can live on through these awards which allow us to recognize others making a difference in the lives of those who live and work around underground utilities.”

Nominations are sought from anyone within the industry including utility members, excavators, first responders, locators and due on May 31 annually. 

Register for the Texas 811 Damage Prevention Summit

Texas 811 will once again be hosting the Texas 811 Damage Prevention Summit on Oct. 5-7, bringing together stakeholders and industry leaders to discuss emerging trends, attend training sessions and workshops, networking events and more.  Click here to register.

Member Tools & Resources Feature Icon

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

Author: Erika Lee, CGA Vice President

With 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.

Data & Technology Data & Technology Icon

Technology Report webinar available online

Author: Steve Blaney, DIRT Program Manager

Last month, CGA’s Technology Committee held a webinar to discuss the fifth annual “Technology Advancements and Gaps in Underground Safety” report, which serves as a record of progress in technology for the damage prevention industry, providing a source of inspiration for the development of new technologies as well as new applications of existing technologies. The webinar also highlighted eight case studies feature in the report from the following CGA members:

Webinar attendees also received a virtual tour of CGA’s new searchable Technology Hub which provides stakeholders with easy access to damage prevention technology case studies and the ability to filter to find the technology or stakeholder group most relevant to your organization. The Technology Hub is also where members can submit their technology case studies for potential inclusion in future reports.

For those that were unable to attend or would like to go back and relisten to the webinar, click here. You can also download the full report here.


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Registration open for CGA’s Fall Committee Summit (Oct. 17-20)

Author: Khrysanne Kerr, VP of Marketing and Outreach  

Registration for CGA's Fall Committee Summit is open! Join us Oct. 17-20 in San Antonio, Tx. We look forward to welcoming CGA members and damage prevention stakeholders for three productive days of working committee meetings focusing on the next practices in damage prevention as well as networking opportunities and multiple general sessions. Registration is now open and free for CGA members with the exception of the OCSI Golf Get-Together.

Summit attendees will have access to Best Practices, Data Reporting & Evaluation, Educational Programs, OSCI and Technology committee meetings including working sessions and focused roundtable discussions.  The summit will feature general sessions highlighting the biggest updates in damage prevention as well as a workplace performance session focused on “Resilient Leadership, Mindfulness, and Conscious Collaboration.” The Summit offers ample networking opportunities for attendees to connect with other damage prevention professionals, including an 18-hole golf outing, committee luncheon and an evening reception and dinner.

Click here to access additional information, register to attend the Summit and learn more about what is in store.

If you are interested in becoming an active participant on one of CGA’s working committees, email [email protected] for additional information.

Hotel space is limited, so be sure to book your hotel accommodations HERE using CGA’s room block rate as soon as possible. The last day to make reservations at the discounted rate is Sept. 22.

We hope to see you in San Antonio this fall!

Committee Schedule-at-a-Glance

Monday, Oct. 17

  • OCSI Golf Get-Together
  • OCSI Committee Meeting

Tuesday, Oct. 18

  • CGA Daily Brief
  • Committee Meetings - Data Reporting & Evaluation, Educational Programs, & Technology Committees
  • Lunch & Committee Spotlight Session
  • General Session: Workplace Performance Session and Featured Speaker – Resilient Leadership, Mindfulness and Conscious Collaboration, presented by Betsy Haas, M.A.
  • Committee Reception & Dinner

Wednesday, Oct. 19

  • CGA Daily Brief
  • Committee Meetings - Best Practices & Educational Programs Committees
  • Lunch & General Session
  • Conference & Advisory Panel Meeting*
  • Board of Directors Reception & Dinner**

Thursday, Oct. 20

  • Board of Directors Meeting**

*For Panel members only
**For Board members only

CGA has a new address!

Author: Erika Lee, CGA Vice President

CGA’s office has recently moved! Please make a note to update your files with our new mailing address:

908 King St, Ste 200
Alexandria, VA 22314

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