The Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association will hold its 2009 Annual Conference April 21-25, at the La Quinta Resort and Conference Center, La Quinta, Calif.
The conference is expected to attract more than 600 attendees from all facets of the industry.

The schedule includes more than 50 educational sessions, networking events and committee meetings. Among the anticipated highlights are the sold out Products Fair with 56 exhibitors; the Rigging and Hauling Jobs of the Year Competitions; the Annual Awards and Recognition Dinner; the SC&R Foundation's Fire & Ice Biker-themed Gala; golf, tennis and fun run/walk events; and the President's Reception, as well as receptions for international members, first-time attendees and spouses.

Opening Session Speaker Jean-Michel Cousteau will explain how "going green is a long term investment…and environmental practices benefit us all" in his presentation, Redesigning Our Future: The Business of Nature. The explorer, author, film producer and son of the legendary Jacques Cousteau founded the Ocean Futures Society and devoted his life to inspiring and educating people throughout the world to act responsibly.

Terry Bowden will speak with considerable authority in his presentation, You Can Make a Difference. He became the nation's youngest head college football coach at the age of 26 when he was hired by Salem College in Salem, West Va. At Auburn University, he led the Tigers to an astounding 47-16-1 record, racking up three post-season bowl appearances and garnering numerous Coach of the Year Awards. He joined ABC Sports as a college football analyst in 1999.

During his Thriving in a High Performance Environment presentation, Derek Daly will share his experiences competing against world champion racers and living life in the fast lane. Using real life motor sports analogies from the world of Formula One, the Indy 500 and NASCAR, Daly demonstrates how the same principles work in the "corporate 500 race" we live in today.

Dr. Peter Ruane, President and CEO, American Road & Transportation Builders Association, will moderate a special panel discussion, It's All About the Economy, featuring valuable, industry-specific analysis and a broad economic outlook for 2009 and beyond by Dr. Martin Regalia, Vice President and Chief Economist, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Ronald DeFeo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Terex Corporation.

During a two-part risk education session, Kevin Cunningham and Bill Smith, NBIS Construction & Transport Insurance Services, Inc., will lead a panel discussion on such topics as attitude vs. aptitude, accident scene tips for claims mitigation, how to formulate proper insurance deductions in owner controlled insurance programs, and clarification of coverage for tower and man-lift operations to avoid coverage gaps.

More info: http://www.scranet.org/events