GUCA hosted its 2011 Spring Quarterly Meeting/Trade Show and Hard Hat Safety Award Gala on March 24, 2011, at the Loudermilk Center in Atlanta, Ga. with more than 130 members and guests in attendance.

This event kicked off with the 2011 GUCA Spring Trade Show, which featured many new products and techniques pertaining to the utility contracting industry. Once the trade show doors opened, contractors and other members in attendance entered where GUCA vendors promoted their company services on table-top displays. More than 15 tradeshow tables filled the Loudermilk Center.

Trade show participants included: Adesa Atlanta; Alignment at Work LLC; ARI; Caterpillar Financial Services Corp.; Coble Trench Safety Inc.; Complete GPS Solutions; Ferguson Waterworks; Georgia 811; ITT Water & Wastewater U.S.A. Inc.; JCB of Georgia; Large & Gilbert PC; Rain for Rent; Thompson Pump and Manufacturing; Trench Shoring Services; United Safety Associates Inc.; and, Vermeer Southeast Sales & Service.

The Business Meeting began as GUCA President Mitch Stephens, John D. Stephens Inc. welcomed everyone to the event.

Mo Thrash, GUCA lobbyist, presented the 2011 Legislative update highlighting the huge success of the 2011 GUCA Lobby Day. Thrash enlightened the members on the House Bill GUCA is supporting regarding weights and measures and Senate Bill 122 regarding public private partnerships for public works. He highlighted the legislative atmosphere at the Capitol and what was to be expected in weeks to come. He stated immigration and tax bills were high on the legislator’s agenda this year. He stated the legislature will reconvene in August for re-apportionment.

Mo presented Mitch Stephens with a proclamation signed by Gov. Nathan Deal stating March 24, 2011, as Utility Contractor Safety Day.

The business meeting continued with GUCA Safety Committee Chairmen Charlie Murren, C.A. Murren & Sons Company Inc., and Ed Shipley, Ronny D. Jones Enterprises, Inc., announcing the 2010 GUCA Hard Hat Safety Award Category winners.

Mitch Stephens then presented keynote speaker Danny Callies, G & R Mineral Services. Callies gave a demonstrative presentation and highlighted the importance of safe rigging on job sites.

For more information, visit www.guca.com.

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