News
New Brunswick conference now ready for registrations

Registration is now open for the Crane Rental Association of Canada’s 19th annual conference, taking place June 7-10 in St. Andrews, N.B.

The conference is happening at the Algonquin Resort, a “luxurious and legendary” Canadian resort in an “iconic building” with an oasis of manicured gardens and a private beach, notes the CRAC website. St. Andrews by-the-Sea, as it is commonly called, was founded in 1783 by United Empire Loyalists.

“We are excited to launch our registration early so you can plan family holidays or extend your stay before and after our conference,” Sheena Baker, who currently chair CRAC, said in a recent email to association members.

The Algonquin is a unique resort with a limited number of rooms, she added. “So please book early.”

Those registering by April 30 receive a discount on the conference registration fee. The early bird fee is $850 for members compared with $995 after April 30, and $475 for spouses compared with $500 after April 30.

The conference kicks off Wednesday, June 7, with a board of directors agenda that includes a directors’ breakfast and lunch, a board meeting, and a meeting of CRAC’s boom dolly committee. Pre-registration for the conference is also open that day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. And the Spreader Bar — in the resort’s Van Horne Ballroom — convenes for the first of four evenings, starting at 8 p.m.

Thursday’s program includes the annual golf event, a guided Marine Experience tour of the Bay of Fundy, a visit to Kingsbrae Gardens, and a “Kitchen Party” get-together that evening in the Van Horne Ballroom.

As of early February, guest speakers on the program include the following:

• Jim Quinn, president and CEO of the Saint John Port Authority, which welcomed two huge gantry cranes to the port last fall and recently announced a $205 upgrade to its western terminals;

• Dan Demers, occupational health operations manager with Cannamm Occupational Testing Services, who will speak about managing medical marijuana in the workplace;

• Jose Perez, export sales manager with Broderson Manufacturing Corp., which is headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas;

• Debbie Dickinson, CEO of Crane Industry Services LLC, based in Waco, Ga.;

• Drew Carruthers, a product manager at Montreal-based CM Labs Simulations, where he directs development of the Vortex construction and heavy equipment training suite;

• Aaron Casey, a crane insurance specialist with D.G. Dunbar Insurance Broker Ltd., based in London, Ont.; and

• Zack Parnell, president and CEO of Industrial Training International, who will demo and describe several virtual reality simulators and augmented reality headsets that will revolutionize dozens of industries including cranes, rigging, and specialized transport.

The conference closes with a banquet on the Saturday evening that promises a combination of Irish and English pub ambience.

To reserve a room at the conference’s reduced rate, an attendee must first register for the conference. A confirmation email containing the promo code will then be sent immediately.

For more information, visit www.crac-canada.com.