The Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA) will celebrate its 60th anniversary during the 2008 Annual Conference, April 15-19, at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs, Fla. The conference is expected
to attract more than 550 attendees from all facets of the industry.
The schedule includes a full slate of educational sessions, networking events and committee meetings. Among the anticipated highlights are the Products Fair with 56 exhibitors; the Rigging and Hauling Jobs of the Year competitions; the annual awards and recognition dinner, featuring the presentation of 60-Year longevity awards to six founding members.
Also offered will be the Ladies Group Parrot Heads in Paradise Gala; golf, volleyball, tennis and fun run/walk events; receptions for international members, first-time attendees and spouses; and an optional tour of the winter estates of Thomas A. Edison and Henry Ford.
Educational sessions will feature:
Opening Session Speaker Pat Williams will use humorous anecdotes to help explain his seven keys to leadership and how to be a more effective leader, communicate more successfully and make profitable decisions. He employs his unique leadership philosophy daily as Senior Vice President of NBA's Orlando Magic.
As a two-time Olympic skier on the Canadian Ski Team, multiple world record holder, and World Cup Champion, Carey Mullen has ample credentials to speak on the determination and motivation it takes to pursue personal dreams. In his "The Champion Within" session he will share insights gained from over 20 years of studying the success strategies of high performers.
Ken Schmidt, former director of communications for Harley-Davidson Motor Co., will explain how, starting in 1985, he restored the image of the then-struggling company and helped transform it into one of the most visible and frequently reported-on companies in the world. He will share his secrets on building an entirely new corporate culture and image.
Kevin Cunningham, Robert Moore and Bill Smith -all key executives with NBIS, SC&RA's exclusive insurance and risk management provider - will deliver the specific information needed to better manage contracts. Their practical, hands-on approach will examine the most common contract oversights, deficiencies and failures for both the crane and transportation sectors.
Buzz Sutherland will take his audience on a hysterical journey into how everyone can learn from their day-to-day experiences with family. His smooth blend of comical, homespun characters and outrageous facial expressions has earned him the spotlight on such programs as HBO's Comic Relief and MTV's Half Hour Comedy Hour.
The conference will wrap up with Terry Fator providing after-dinner entertainment at the Closing Night Awards & Recognition Dinner. The $1 million dollar winner of NBC-TV's "America's Got Talent" competition blends skills as a ventriloquist, signer, comedian and celebrity impressionist.
To register, visit www.scranet.org and click on the "Event/Registration" button at the top of the site to review the program, learn more about the hotel, and register as an attendee or exhibitor. Information is also available by calling SC&RA at (703) 698-0291.