EDUCATION

Education is a pillar of NDA’s Annual Convention and Expo. At Demolition San Antonio, you have the chance to learn from industry experts, innovative leaders and more in the demolition world. From a pre-convention course that give you hands-on experience to fast and furious education session in the exhibit hall, you’ll walk away with key learnings to help you and your business.

OPENING KEYNOTE

Lead from the Middle

Friday, March 8 | 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. CT

Kick off NDA's Annual Convention and Expo with our keynote talk from Mikel Bowman, a consultant who focuses on leadership development and organizational culture. He’s a former senior Safety Director with over 20 years experience in the mining industry, who also has a background in counseling. "Lead from the Middle" is a powerful example of how important your influence is on the people you work with. Mikel gives a first-hand example when a life was hanging in the balance.

Learning Objectives:

Learn to Lead on a higher level, no matter where you are in the queue of leadership within the organization.
Recognize the level of impact you have on the lives of those you work with.

This session has been approved for 1.0 Certified Demolition Supervisor (CDS) Continuing Education Unit (CEU).

Keynote presentation sponsored by:

PRE CONVENTION COURSES

NDA’s unique pre-convention courses return for your chance to get classroom style learning as well as a hands-on approach by visiting the Live DEMOlition Event™ site early. Learn more below and enhance your education experience at Demolition San Antonio.

Demolition Superintendent Bootcamp

Tuesday, March 5 | 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CT

Join NDA for the only course in the industry geared directly toward job site supervisors! Through course materials and interactive discussions with other attendees, you’ll learn best practices for the full lifecycle of Jobsite management. From preplanning and safety awareness to documentation and record keeping, you’ll learn how to make better use of your manpower and equipment. Hear from others about their positive experiences and learn from their mistakes. This one-day classroom-based course is a wonderful introduction for new superintendents and a great refresher for seasoned professionals.

Hands-on Equipment Maintenance Course

Wednesday, March 6 | 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. CT

Visit the Live DEMOlition Event™ site a day early for hands-on training! Available as an add-on to the classroom course or as a stand-alone registration, this course gives you a chance to see the equipment up close and to learn best practices for safety and maintenance directly from the equipment manufacturers.

EDUCATION SESSIONS

We have a full lineup of sessions, speakers and topics that will keep you up to date on all things demolition. Learn more below including important learning objectives for each session so you can prepare and plan your experience to suit your needs. Schedule is subject to change.

NDA Committees: Updates and How to Get Involved

Friday, March 8 | 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. CT

Join representatives from various NDA committees as they share achievements, ongoing initiatives, and opportunities for engagement. This session is an excellent chance for attendees to gain a comprehensive understanding of the diverse committees within the association and explore ways to actively participate in shaping the industry's future.

Our esteemed panel of committee representatives will take the stage to provide updates on their respective committee's accomplishments, current projects, and future goals. From Safety and Education to Government Affairs and Membership Development, each committee plays a vital role in advancing the demolition industry.

Moreover, this session aims to encourage participation and engagement from conference attendees. Whether you're a seasoned industry professional or a newcomer eager to make a difference, this session will provide valuable information on how you can actively engage with the committees that align with your interests and expertise. Don't miss this opportunity to learn, engage, and explore how you can play an active role in shaping the future of the demolition industry through NDA committees..

Learning Objectives:

Discover firsthand how NDA committees contribute to the NDA's mission and vision.
Gain insights into the impactful work of each committee, including the development of industry standards, educational resources, advocacy efforts, and more.
Learn about the latest innovations, trends, and best practices being championed by these dedicated groups.

Panelists:

Awards Committee Chair - Jim Graham, Principal, Executive Vice President, Winter Environmental
Convention Committee Chair - Jeff Sessler, Manager, Sessler Wrecking
Government Affairs Committee Chair - Zac Clark, President, North American Dismantling Corp.
Industry Committee Chair - Blake Svendsen, Partner, ERM: Environmental Resources Management
Leadership Development Committee Chair - Ben Hayden, Vice President, Hayden Wrecking Corporation
Marketing and Communications Committee Chair - Terry Sturgell, Senior Director of Business Development, Exodus Global
Membership Growth Committee Chair - Scott Laird, Project Manager/Business Development Manager, Independence Demolition
Safety Committee Chair - John Satterwhite, Sales Manager - North Texas Region, ROMCO Equipment Company

NDA Education Highlights

Friday, March 8 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CT

Join NDA Education Committee Chair Steve Schwartz who will showcase the association's robust educational offerings, resources, and the latest advancements in our educational programs. This engaging session will serve as a comprehensive guide to NDA's educational landscape. From foundational resources to advanced training modules, attendees will gain insights into the diverse array of educational materials and initiatives designed to empower industry professionals at every career stage.

Learning Objectives:

Learn the practical applications and benefits of NDA's educational programs. Discover how these resources are tailored to address emerging challenges, technological advancements, and industry-specific trends.
Learn how to leverage NDA's educational offerings effectively, enabling them to enhance your expertise, stay ahead of industry trends, and drive success in the ever-evolving demolition sector.

Speaker:

Education Committee Chair - Steve Schwartz, Demolition Estimator/PM/Expediter, H&K Group, Inc

Sponsor Spotlight: Government Grants and Material Handlers - Presented by Sennebogen

Friday, March 8 | 12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. CT

This informative session shares how yards can gain access to government grants to cover an exceptional portion of the costs of electric material handlers and the infrastructure to support them. Important topics such as properly sizing a material handler, proper yard placement, and more will be covered.

Speaker:

Colleen Miller, Sales & National Accounts Manager, Sennebogen

Sponsored Spotlight presented by:

Certified Demolition Supervisor (CDS) Update

Friday, March 8 | 12:30 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. CT

NDA is proud to be launching the only certification program of its kind for demolition professionals: the Certified Demolition Supervisor (CDS) certification. The CDS certification recognizes individuals who have demonstrated competence in demolition of structures, including but not limited to structural, selective, interior, or dismantlement. The CDS designation promotes safe and quality practice through its ongoing requirements for professional growth in the demolition industry.

Join Chairperson of the Certification Board of the National Demolition Association, Peter Banks, to learn more about the CDS – why NDA is offering the certification and why it is so important – as well as how to obtain the CDS certification.

Learning Objectives:

Understand the Scope and Significance of the CDS Certification
Recognize the Importance of the CDS Designation for Demolition Professionals
Explore the Path to Obtaining the CDS Certification

Speaker:

Certification Board of the National Demolition Association (CBN) Chair - Peter Banks

Sponsor Spotlight: Maximizing Scrap Returns: Why do I need a Broker? - Presented by Rocky Mountain Recycling

Friday, March 8 | 12:45 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. CT

Join Andrew DeBaise (Rocky Mountain Recycling) in a conversation describing the benefits and challenges of maximizing your scrap metal returns with a broker. Gain an understanding of the flow of material from demolition projects to new manufacturing and how this understanding can translate to greater returns. This session is tailored for demolition contractors, specifically those who want to gain knowledge on the scrap industry and what resources are available to them.

Speaker:

Andrew DeBaise, Executive Manager, Rocky Mountain Recycling

Sponsored Spotlight presented by:

NDA's Presidential Panel

Friday, March 8 | 1:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. CT

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of NDA with a special panel featuring a selection of esteemed past presidents. Join these influential leaders to reflect on their tenures and the evolution of the NDA over the years. Delve into their experiences and leadership journeys as they candidly discuss pivotal moments during their presidencies. Engage with these industry visionaries as they share their perspectives on the organization's past successes, challenges faced, and their aspirations for the future of the National Demolition Association. Don't miss this unique opportunity to gain wisdom from a collective wealth of experience and shape the path forward for the NDA!

Learning Objectives:

Gain insight into the evolution of the National Demolition Association (NDA) by examining significant milestones and pivotal moments.
Evaluate diverse leadership approaches and strategies employed by past NDA presidents in navigating challenges and fostering organizational development within the demolition industry.
Synthesize insights from past presidents' experiences and aspirations for the future of the NDA to formulate strategies for the association's continued growth and advancement.

Panelists:

Leonard Cherry, Cerise Family, LP (NDA President 2001 - 2003)
Raymond Passeno, CIH, CHMM, Vice President, Bierlein Companies, Inc. ( NDA President 2009-2011)
John Weber, President (Retired), Iconco of California (NADC President 1982 - 1983)
Don Rachel, CEO, Rachel Contracting (NDA President 2011 – 2013)

Moderator:

James Milburn, Milburn Demolition (Current NDA President)

What to Expect from an OSHA Inspection on Your Demo Site

Friday, March 8 | 1:45 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. CT

OSHA’s mission has always focused on worker safety and health. The agency is committed to maintaining a balanced approach to reaching this goal – through Compliance Assistance and Enforcement. During this session, OSHA will cover the inspection process, presentation of credentials, opening conference, walkaround, closing conference, results, and appeals.

Learning Objectives:

Learn about OSHA inspection priorities and different types of inspections.
Understand OSHA's different national and regional emphasis programs.
Understand the significance of OSHA civil penalty amounts.

Speaker:

Victor Ramon, Compliance Assistance Specialist, Dept. of Labor – OSHA

This session has been approved for 0.5 Certified Demolition Supervisor (CDS) Continuing Education Units (CEU).

NDA Hands-on Equipment Maintenance Course

Friday, March 8 | 2:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. CT

Join NDA Facilitators Steve Schwartz and Brian Gayanga to learn more about NDA’s Hands-on Equipment Maintenance course, where attendees get to visit the Live DEMOlition Event™ site a day early for hands-on training! Learn why this course format is so valuable (you get the chance to see the equipment up close and to learn best practices for safety and maintenance directly from the equipment manufacturers) and why you should plan to attend this in 2025!

Speakers:

Steve Schwartz, Demolition Estimator/PM/Expediter, H&K Group, Inc
Brian McKinney, CEO, Gayanga Co.

What's Keeping You up at Night?

Saturday, March 9 | 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. CT

What demolition issues are keeping you up at night? Hear from our panel what is keeping them up at night, and what they're doing about it. This panel will discuss some of the biggest issues our industry is facing and how to cope. Attendees will walk away from this session with resources to manage the stress of the demolition industry.

Learning Objectives:

Explore and identify the most pressing challenges and concerns encompassing regulatory, environmental, technological, or operational challenges that are currently impacting the demolition industry, as shared by the expert panelists.
Examine coping mechanisms and strategies utilized by the panelists and industry leaders to address the identified challenges effectively.
Provide attendees with practical resources, tools, or frameworks that aid in stress management within the demolition industry, such as access to industry-specific support networks, mental health resources, and more.

Panelists:

Kerry Nazario, VP of Operations / Director of Health & Safety, Target Contractors, LLC
Drew Lammers, Vice President of Outside Operations, Cohen USA
Brian McKinney, CEO, Gayanga Co.
LaJuan Counts, Director, Construction & Demolition Department, City of Detroit
Michael Rutt, Superintendent, Remedial Construction Services, L.P.

This session has been approved for 1.0 Certified Demolition Supervisor (CDS) Continuing Education Units (CEU).

Exploring Recent Trends: Scrap Market Dynamics and Pricing

Saturday, March 9 | 11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. CT

Join Blake Hurtik (Argus Media) on the latest developments and trends shaping the scrap market within the realm of demolition. Understanding the evolving dynamics of scrap markets and pricing is crucial for contractors seeking to optimize their strategies and maximize returns from demolition projects. This session is tailored for demolition contractors, industry analysts, financial professionals, and anyone seeking to stay abreast of the latest developments in scrap market trends and pricing dynamics. Don't miss this opportunity to gain actionable insights and make informed decisions to leverage scrap market trends for enhanced project profitability and success.

Learning Objectives:

Analyze Evolving Scrap Market Trends
Interpret Market Insights and Pricing Analytics
Strategize Adaptation to Market Fluctuations

Speaker:

Blake Hurtik, Editorial Manager, Argus Media

This session has been approved for 0.5 Certified Demolition Supervisor (CDS) Continuing Education Units (CEU).

NDA Membership Resources

Saturday, March 9 | 11:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CT

NDA is your source for success in the demolition industry. In addition to our well-known resources (our annual LiveDemo and convention & expo, Foundations of Demolition Training courses, etc.) NDA offers so much more for our members to take advantage of. Join NDA's Executive Director, Jeff Lambert, and Membership and Operations Director, Natalie DeHart, to learn more about the many industry-leading resources, publications, education and training provided by the NDA to its members.

Learning Objectives:

Gain an in-depth understanding of the diverse range of resources offered by the National Demolition Association (NDA), including publications, educational materials, and training programs. Evaluate the scope and relevance of these resources in addressing industry-specific challenges, fostering professional development, and enhancing operational efficiency within the demolition sector.
Identify and assess the various membership benefits offered by the NDA, including access to industry-leading education, coalition support, and valuable partnerships. Formulate strategies for leveraging NDA resources, publications, and educational opportunities effectively to enhance professional growth, stay updated on industry trends, and optimize business operations within the demolition sector.

Speakers: