10th Annual Greater Chesapeake Damage Prevention Training Conference Educated More Than 400 Industry Professionals

For the tenth consecutive year, hundreds of damage prevention professionals gathered in Ocean City, Md., for the 2018 Greater Chesapeake Damage Prevention Training Conference (GCDPTC), hosted by title sponsors Miss Utility, District One Call and Miss Utility of Delmarva.

The sold-out event – with more than 400 registrants – was the collaborative effort of partners across the Greater Chesapeake region, including 36 sponsor organizations and more than 40 exhibitors. The conference kicked off with a keynote speech from Bob White, who engaged the audience about how to communicate across generations and motivate employees. Breakout sessions addressed topics such as how to adhere to the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health office’s guidelines on trenching following a particularly deadly summer in the region, how utility and municipal workers are uniquely suited to keeping an eye out for terroristic activity, and the latest offerings in predictive damage prevention analytics technology. Sessions also took a deep dive into case studies straight from the industry, including a project showcase of Chesapeake Utilities’ effort to bring natural gas to the Eastern Shore, and a mock trial of a case that came before the Maryland Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Authority. CGA’s Sarah Magruder Lyle and Khrysanne Kerr presented information about 2017 DIRT data specific to our region, 811 promotional activities that regional partners supported over the summer, and updates from the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

Many attendees participated in the conference’s multiple networking events, including the annual cornhole and golf tournaments, as well as a new addition – a cooking class with an authentic Italian chef. All conference attendees were also invited to enjoy a special reception celebrating a decade of the GCDPTC, which featured dinner, drinks and dancing. Outside of the sold-out exhibit hall were the 811 Bike, 811 Car and 811 Trike, courtesy of One Call Concepts. The conference also honored some of the safest contractors in Delaware, Maryland and Washington, D.C., for the 2017-2018 Dig Smart Awards, including: NPL, Excellence Award Winner; Ferguson Trenching Co., Maryland Winner; Childs Landscape Contractors, Inc., Washington, D.C. Winner; B.W. Electric, Inc., Delmarva Winner; and Gaines and Company, Honorable Mention Recipient.

Save the date for the 2019 GCDPTC, which will take place Oct. 22-25 in Ocean City, Md. Registration will open in the spring. To sign up for email updates about the conference, please email missutilityconference@gmail.com.

Click here to view photos from the 2018 GCDPTC.