Remember the Alamo

Situated on a scenic hilltop in San Antonio, TX, The Westin La Cantera was a fitting locale for an SC&RA Annual Conference designed to elevate to an even higher level the spirits of more than 550 registered attendees. Adding an international flavor to this year's conference were 43 attendees from 10 nations outside the United States - Aruba, Canada, England, France, Germany, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Nigeria and Puerto Rico.

The five-day program, April 10-14, featured seven stellar educational sessions; 56 Products Fair exhibits; more than two dozen board, committee, task force and membership meetings;

Rigging and Hauling Job of the Year presentations; and the Awards & Recognition Dinner to acknowledge outstanding achievements by individuals and companies.

As always, the Annual Conference was a time for attendees to build both personal and professional relationships. Networking continued outside the meeting rooms during the many social and recreational events, including:

From left, Rigging Job of the Year Judging Committee Chair George Bragg, Bragg Crane Service, Long Beach, CA presents awards to Jeff Telman, Barnhart, Daphne, AL; Terry Emmert; Emmert International, Clackamas, OR; and Earl Johnson, Jr., Southern Industrial Constructors, Raleigh, NC; as SC&RA President Doug Williams, Bucker Heavy Lift Cranes, Graham, NC, looks on Attendees gather at more than 50 booths throughout the three hours of the Products Fair

The golf tournament at the

Resort Course, home to the PGA Tour's Valero Texas Open

The traditional round robin-mixed doubles tennis tournament

The one-and-a-half mile/three mile fun run/walk to benefit the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators

The tour of Spanish missions, including San Antonio de Valero (the Alamo), San Jose and Concepcion

An elegant barn party benefiting the SC&R Foundation, featuring a dinner/dance, casino and plenty of chances to win valuable prizes

A shuttle to San Antonio's famed Riverwalk  International Members,

First-timers and President's Receptions “When it comes time to make purchasing decisions, we encourage attendees to consider the companies that sponsored the various special events,” said SCR&RA executive vice president Joel Dandrea. “Without the generous support of our sponsors, many of these events would not be possible.” Dandrea also noted that SC&RA already is rising to the challenge of making an even stronger impact with the 2008 Annual Conference, April 15-19, Hyatt Regency at Coconut Point, Bonita Springs, FL.