Page 7 - Jan/Feb 2016 Vol.33 No.6
P. 7
Host Branch Reception * Save the date*
Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke welcomed the attendees 2016 TCAPWA/SWANA
and exhibitors to Chattanooga and expressed his pride Annual Conference
in the home team who dominated the Equipment Rodeo
competition held earlier in the day. Awards were presented November 8-10
to the rodeo winners and Chattanooga took the trophy (see Memphis, TN
results on page 10.)
Sheraton Memphis
Following the rodeo awards, Britt Elmore, YP Chairman, Downtown Hotel &
announced the next event of the evening – a Pints & Pedals Cook Convention Center
excursion to the Flying Squirrel (see more about it on page
8.) Those not pedaling were welcome to join the Young
Professionals at their destination.
Technical Sessions
Sixteen technical sessions were attended by as many as 25
people each. Many attendees said that the breadth of topics
offered the best selection in years. With eight TCAPWA
sessions, four of which had an engineering focus, four TSITE
sessions, and four SWANA sessions, participants could submit
their attendance for continuing education credits.
Awards Luncheon
Mike Flatt, Conference Chairman, hosted the Awards
Luncheon where he expressed his gratitude to all of the
attendees, sponsors and exhibitors for making this year’s
Conference such a success.
The program continued with Ken Donaldson announcing
the 2015 TCAPWA Scholarship recipients: Brittany Spence,
Alcoa, and Corey Schiestel, Athens. Pete Reed was present to
announce the 2015 SWANA Award Winners.
Next Ronnie Hammonds, 2014 President, Ken Donaldson,
2015 President and Rodney Keeton, incoming President,
presented the 2015 TCAPWA Annual Awards (see the article
on page 12.) The final presentation of the event was Rodney
Keeton presenting Ken Donaldson with his Past President’s
Pen for a job well done.
Casino Night
Aboard the Chattanooga Belle Riverboat, over 125 attended
the conference wrap-up party. With a Casino Night theme,
“gamblers” received tokens to bet and try their luck at
Roulette, Poker, Black Jack and more.
Delivered by shuttle, participants enjoyed an intimate and
relaxed dinner setting on the majestic Tennessee River. The
stamped tin ceiling tiles, elaborately designed carpeting, and
rows of sparkling lights added to the ambiance of the balcony-
level event.
For an industry that entirely depends on team work and
cooperation, the tables were full of self-reliant competitive
individuals that evening. However, in true Public Works
spirit, everyone cheered for each other. It even became a team
effort at one Poker table of inexperienced players.
It was all fun and games until the competition became
real. Tokens were cashed in for tickets, which offered the
opportunity to win coveted gift baskets overflowing with
specialty items.
The celebratory evening closed with lots of laughs provided
by the gift basket door prize emcee.
View online at tnpublicworks.com 7
Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke welcomed the attendees 2016 TCAPWA/SWANA
and exhibitors to Chattanooga and expressed his pride Annual Conference
in the home team who dominated the Equipment Rodeo
competition held earlier in the day. Awards were presented November 8-10
to the rodeo winners and Chattanooga took the trophy (see Memphis, TN
results on page 10.)
Sheraton Memphis
Following the rodeo awards, Britt Elmore, YP Chairman, Downtown Hotel &
announced the next event of the evening – a Pints & Pedals Cook Convention Center
excursion to the Flying Squirrel (see more about it on page
8.) Those not pedaling were welcome to join the Young
Professionals at their destination.
Technical Sessions
Sixteen technical sessions were attended by as many as 25
people each. Many attendees said that the breadth of topics
offered the best selection in years. With eight TCAPWA
sessions, four of which had an engineering focus, four TSITE
sessions, and four SWANA sessions, participants could submit
their attendance for continuing education credits.
Awards Luncheon
Mike Flatt, Conference Chairman, hosted the Awards
Luncheon where he expressed his gratitude to all of the
attendees, sponsors and exhibitors for making this year’s
Conference such a success.
The program continued with Ken Donaldson announcing
the 2015 TCAPWA Scholarship recipients: Brittany Spence,
Alcoa, and Corey Schiestel, Athens. Pete Reed was present to
announce the 2015 SWANA Award Winners.
Next Ronnie Hammonds, 2014 President, Ken Donaldson,
2015 President and Rodney Keeton, incoming President,
presented the 2015 TCAPWA Annual Awards (see the article
on page 12.) The final presentation of the event was Rodney
Keeton presenting Ken Donaldson with his Past President’s
Pen for a job well done.
Casino Night
Aboard the Chattanooga Belle Riverboat, over 125 attended
the conference wrap-up party. With a Casino Night theme,
“gamblers” received tokens to bet and try their luck at
Roulette, Poker, Black Jack and more.
Delivered by shuttle, participants enjoyed an intimate and
relaxed dinner setting on the majestic Tennessee River. The
stamped tin ceiling tiles, elaborately designed carpeting, and
rows of sparkling lights added to the ambiance of the balcony-
level event.
For an industry that entirely depends on team work and
cooperation, the tables were full of self-reliant competitive
individuals that evening. However, in true Public Works
spirit, everyone cheered for each other. It even became a team
effort at one Poker table of inexperienced players.
It was all fun and games until the competition became
real. Tokens were cashed in for tickets, which offered the
opportunity to win coveted gift baskets overflowing with
specialty items.
The celebratory evening closed with lots of laughs provided
by the gift basket door prize emcee.
View online at tnpublicworks.com 7
