A once in a lifetime event: Demolition San Antonio

Ask anyone in the industry, and they’ll tell you that the National Demolition Association’s (NDA) Annual Convention and Expo, is absolutely one of the must-attend events in the demolition calendar.

And this year, the NDA are taking us to San Antonio in Texas, US, for what is set to be a once-in-a-lifetime affair, as the association marks its 50th anniversary.

Now just a little more than two weeks away, what do we know so far about the upcoming industry event?

“I can tell you right now our registrations are twice what they were last year at this time,” says Jeffs Lambert, CEO of the NDA.

“We’re expecting over 1,200 visitors this year, and also a record number of exhibitors. The interest has been incredibly high, incredibly strong.

“So, we are also going to have an expanded footprint.”

Attendees will have plenty of time to speak with exhibitors and fellow industry professionals at the event. (PHOTO: NDA)

Social events: Mingling & drinking

For those looking to strengthen their professional relationships and to just have a good time with colleagues, Demolition San Antonio has a schedule that is aboslutely packed with social events.

The convention will open with a Welcome Reception, where guests can sign up to the now infamous Cornhole Tournament.

During the second day of the event there will be a ‘meet and greet’ for new association members and first time attendees, which will duly be followed by the Expo Opening Reception and Round 1 of the Cornhole Tournament.

Rounds 2 and 3 of the tournament will take place the next day, as well the Local Brew Beer Reception in the afternoon.

While further details are yet to be revealed, the evening of Friday 8 March

will also see the association host an

evening party.

On the last day of Demolition San Antonio, the final rounds – known as the Elite 8 and Final 4 – of the Cornhole Tournament will take place, and a champion declared.

The 2024 event will be capped off with the Annual NDA Awards Banquet, where the association will honour both individuals and companies that have made significant contributions to the industry over the previous 12 months.

Mikel Bowman is the keynote speaker at Demolition San Antonio. (PHOTO: NDA)

Speakers & Education

In between all the fun frolicking, there will of course be a lot of other things to see and do.

Mikel Bowman, a consultant in leadership development and organizational culture, will kick-off the event’s speaker programme with a presentation titled “Lead from the middle”.

Described by the NDA as a “powerful example of how important your influence is on the people you work with, Mikel’s presentation will recount the true story of what happened, one fateful night, when he was called at 3.00 AM by a coworker with a gun to his head.

As well as pre-event training, “on the education side of things, Demolition San Antonio will include a Q&A panel with the association’s past presidents,” says Jeff.

“We are also doing a new member welcome. We did do this last year, but in light of our 50th anniversary, this year we’re going to pair-up new first time attendees with mentors. We’re really looking forward to that.”

One the education side of things, the Demolition Superintendant Bootcamp will run as a pre-convention course.

The Demolition Superintendant Bootcamp aims to help attendees learn about best practices for the “full lifecycle of jobsite management” and will cover everything from preplanning and safety awareness to documentation and record keeping. 

Taking place on Tuesday 5 March, the classroom-style bootcamp is geared toward both job site supervisors that are interested in becoming superintend, and seasoned professionals that want a refresher.

For attendees looking for something a bit more practical, there is a Hands-on Equipment Maintenance Course that will give people a chance to learn best practices for safety and maintenance directly from the equipment manufacturers.

Equipment from both Genesis and Liebherr will be available in the DEMOlition area. (PHOTO: NDA)

Machines available for attendees to work with include: a Komatsu high reach with a Montabert concrete processor, a Caterpillar hydraulic coupler and grapple, a wheeled loader from Volvo, Genesis multi processor tools, Steelwrist’s hydraulic quick attachments, a Brokk electric handheld machine, watering systems from HKD Blue, Epiroc Hammers, Oilquick’s hydraulic quick attachments, some of Mecalac’s small demo tools and battery equipment from Cratos.

(Those wishing to take a course at Demolition San Antonio, should sign-up here: Registration (demolitionassociation.com)

Equipment Exhibition 

And when it comes to the equipment on show, this year the NDA Annual Convention and Expo will also have a bigger live demolition area, with a record number of excavators and attachments available throughout the day.

“We’re going to have a very packed exhibit hall this year, and we are also expanding live demolition event.

“This year we’re going to have a live demo challenge, and we are encouraging our members to bring their superintendents and their an equipment operator to the live demolition event and then we’ll have a series of challenges that have a particular focus.

“For example, a safety component and equipment part and then an overall operator challenge with the excavator and the equipment.”

Jeff adds: “We hope to get around 40 teams to compete in this and then narrow it down through each successive phase. It’s going be exciting.”

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