On the long list of reasons why NDA’s Annual Convention and Expo is famed as a “can’t-miss event,” education is at the top. This year’s program is jam-packed with sessions on the latest demolition trends, best practices, and actionable insights you can implement immediately. 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. View the pre-convention workshop and CDS exam.
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Explore Destination NDA Sessions:
Friday, March 7
Key Industrial Hygiene (IH) Concepts in Demolition
Friday, March 7 | 10:30 - 11 a.m. | Speaker: Colleen Loredo, CIH, CHMM, CPESC, Director, Environmental Services and Occupational Health, Independence Excavating, Inc.
Industrial hygiene broadly is the practice of anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, and controlling environmental, health, and safety hazards within the workplace. This 30 minute session focuses on key elements to create a successful industrial hygiene program specific to the hazards found in the demolition industry.
Maximizing Scrap Value and Safety in Demolition
Friday, March 7 | 11 - 11:45 a.m. | Speakers: Brad MacAulay, Associate Editor - Metals, Argus Media; Andrew DeBaise, Director of Demolition Scrap Management, Rocky Mountain Recycling; and Bryan Cherkasky, Vice President of Ferrous Metals, GLE Scrap Metal
Join industry experts as they delve into the critical role of scrap in demolition projects. This panel will explore the latest trends in the scrap market, offer insights into scrap abatement, and provide strategies to maximize returns and fuel savings from scrap materials. Additionally, panelists will discuss best practices for managing hazards and toxicity in scrap, ensuring both safety and compliance. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to turn scrap into success in your demolition projects.
Government Affairs Update
Friday, March 7 | 11:45 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Speaker: Alex McIntyre, Director of Government Affairs, NDA
On behalf of NDA's Government Affairs Committee, join Director of Government Affairs Alex McIntyre for a crucial update on the key policy work completed in 2024 and what lies ahead for 2025. As a group that advocates for the demolition industry's interests, the Committee has been instrumental in shaping NDA’s National Policy Agenda and engaging with federal and state lawmakers on critical issues. With the new White House administration and Congress starting in 2025, the upcoming year will bring significant regulatory and legislative changes. This session will highlight the Committee’s recent accomplishments and outline the advocacy priorities and strategies for the upcoming year.
Legacy Asbestos in Reinforced Concrete
Friday, March 7 | 12 - 12:30 p.m. | Speaker: Wayne Bagnall, MBE MSc, CFIOSH, Hon-FIDE, MCMI, Director, Wayne Bagnall Consulting
This session will reflect on well known presence of asbestos in reinforced concrete, particularly in products such as permanent formwork, fixing blocks, contaminated screeds, expansion joints, bituminous coatings, adhesives, water pipes, and ducts. Attendees will then learn about the historical usage of onsite handmade cement spacers replaced in the 1960’s to the 1980’s by manufactured asbestos cement spacers, how these were discovered, detail an initial practical solution to identify and partially remove some of these asbestos spacers in reinforced concrete while adhering to UK regulatory requirements. The session will also highlight international efforts to develop more effective strategies for managing & treating asbestos in concrete, including collaboration with Wessling, a German Consulting Engineering Company to develop a more effective treatment for removing these asbestos products to allow safe re-use of the treated arisings. This session is essential for demolition professionals looking to understand the hidden dangers of legacy asbestos in concrete and innovative solutions to mitigate risks.
Sponsored Partner Session: How Proposed Tariffs Could Potentially Effect Markets Short Term and Long Term - Sponsored by Rocky Mountain Recycling
Friday, March 7 | 12:30 - 1 p.m.
This session will discuss proposed tariffs by current president Donald Trump and their potential impacts on market pricing and scrap flows.
NDA Education Highlights
Friday, March 7 | 1 - 1:15 p.m. | Speakers: Steve Schwartz, Demolition Estimator/PM/Expediter H&K Group, Inc, Brian McKinney, CEO, Gayanga Co., and Greg Menen, Principal Consultant, Mendil Enterprises, Inc.
Join us to learn about NDA’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. Attendees of this session will also get a sneak peak of NDA’s newest course.
Navigating Environmental Challenges in Demolition
Friday, March 7 | 1:15 - 1:45 p.m. | Speakers: Jim Graham, Executive Vice President, Winter Environmental and Wayne Bagnall, MBE MSc, CFIOSH, Hon-FIDE, MCMI, Director, Wayne Bagnall Consulting
As environmental regulations evolve, it's critical for demolition professionals to stay informed and compliant. This panel will cover essential environmental topics impacting the industry in 2025, including the latest EPA regulatory updates, key changes in environmental law, and their implications for demolition projects. Experts will discuss the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the future of carbon regulation, and best practices for dust mitigation. Gain valuable insights and practical strategies to ensure your projects meet environmental standards while maintaining safety and efficiency.
OSHA Outlook - What Lies Ahead?
Friday, March 7 | 1:45 - 2:15 p.m. | Speaker: Chris Williams, CAE; Executive Director, Voluntary Protection Programs Participants' Association (VPPPA)
Every four to eight years, Washington undergoes somewhat of an upheaval as a new administration takes charge of the government, appointing their own department leadership, priorities, and purpose. This election cycle has seen a seismic shift in those priorities—including at the Department of Labor. Join Chris Williams, Executive Director of the VPPPA, as he guides participants through the knowns—and unknowns—of DoL’s and OSHA’s new leadership teams and what to expect from an OSHA that will undoubtedly undergo a significant transformation over the next four years.
Building a Strong Culture in Your Company
Friday, March 7 | 2:15 - 3 p.m. | Speakers: Dennis McGarel, Brandenburg Industrial Service Company, Chris Price, President, Indiana Construction Roundtable Foundation, Brian McKinney, CEO, Gayanga Co., and Frank Bodami, Co-Founder, Total Wrecking and Environmental, LLC
In today's competitive industry, cultivating the right company culture is essential for growth and success. This panel will explore effective leadership philosophies that drive company culture, strategies for attracting and retaining younger employees, and the importance of workforce development. Panelists will also discuss the evolving recruitment landscape, including the shift from traditional rural sources to urban settings. Learn how to foster a positive environment that enhances employee satisfaction, promotes innovation, and positions your demolition company for long-term success
Saturday, March 8
Harnessing Technology: The Future of Demolition
Saturday, March 8 | 10 - 10:45 a.m. | Speakers: Alex Berg, Founder and CEO, Cratos and Jadon Kool, Sr. Sales Support Consultant, Caterpillar
Explore the cutting-edge technologies transforming the demolition industry in this panel discussion. From advancements in demolition-specific machinery to the integration of robotics, this session will highlight innovative tools enhancing efficiency and safety on the job. Experts will also discuss fleet tracking technology and management, the expanding role of drones in site assessments, and the benefits of GPRS technology for precision and data accuracy. Join us to discover how these technologies are shaping the future of demolition and how your company can stay ahead in this rapidly evolving field.
Sponsored Partner Session: High Power Pulse (HPEP) Rock Breaking - Sponsored by Petram Technologies
Saturday, March 8 | 10:45 - 11:15 a.m. | Speaker: Frank "Franco" Magnotti, CEO and Co-Founder, Petram Technologies
With less than 1 kwh of energy, 2GW of power is transmitted to an ounce of water in a pre-drilled hole creating a dense plasma bubble at 10000 degrees F. When the plasma bubble bursts, a 220,000-psi shock wave is transmitted to the rock or concrete. Since it is stronger than the rock or concrete, cracks rip through the target material in dendritic patterns like the root of a plant. 1-10 cubic yds of material are cracked per shot. What is amazing is this can be performed within feet of critical infrastructure like a gas pipeline with less than 1% of the noise, vibration, and dust of a jackhammer.
Lessons Learned: Promoting Safety Through Shared Experiences
Saturday, March 8 | 11:15 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Speakers: Frank Bodami, Co-Founder, Total Wrecking and Environmental, LLC and John Satterwhite, Regional Manager, ROMCO Equipment Co., and Chair of NDA's Safety Committee
In the fast-paced world of demolition, safety is paramount. NDA provides a unique opportunity for attendees from demolition companies across the country to come together, not as competitors, but as a community with a shared goal: enhancing safety standards. Panelists will share some of their real-world experiences, including moments when things went wrong, and the lessons their companies learned from those incidents. By embracing vulnerability and learning from one another's mistakes, we can work toward a safer future for everyone in the demolition industry.
(NEW!) Demo Dialogues:
NDA is excited to debut a brand-new education stage this year: Demo Dialogues. These informal round-table sessions will allow attendees to lead the conversation! Come to Demo Dialogues to listen, learn, share ideas, discuss challenges, network, and collaborate on solutions with fellow demolition professionals. Whether you're looking to gain new insights, make valuable connections, or share your expertise, these interactive sessions are designed to bring people together for meaningful discussions and networking.
Problem Solving 101: Crowd-sourcing Solutions to Common Demolition Issues
Friday, March 7 | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Moderator: David Dickson
NDA's Certified Demolition Supervisor (CDS) Certification: What It Is, How to Prepare, and Why it's Good for Your Business
Friday, March 7 | 2 - 3 p.m. | Moderator: Anthony Abela
Team Work Makes the Dream Work: How to Facilitate Collaboration Between Owners, Contractors, Estimators, Purchasers, and the Community on the Job Site
Saturday, March 8 | 10 - 10:45 a.m. | Moderator: Sandy Bodami