FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KANSAS CITY, MO–Nearly 2,000 public works professionals and exhibitors will descend upon Grand Rapids, Michigan, April 6–9, for the North American Snow Conference (NASC) at DeVos Place Convention Center. Hosted by the American Public Works Association (APWA), the “Show for Snow,” welcomes people who are looking to share the latest best practices in snow and ice management and see new and emerging product and equipment innovations in winter operations and maintenance.
“The work our snowfighters do each winter is fundamental to maintaining our daily routines in the face of challenging weather,” said APWA President Dominick Longobardi. “Without the thousands of public works professionals who are always present and ready to serve day and night, we would not be able to safely maintain the quality of life we often take for granted. Being the conduit to bring this group together is one of the American Public Works Association’s core goals.”
Throughout NASC, attendees will have the opportunity to dig deeper into what’s working today in managing snow and ice. They can visit one-on-one with representatives from more than 150 exhibiting companies, across 40,000 square feet of exhibit hall space. They can hear about better hiring and training practices in the Workforce Development Hub and see what’s new in the Services and Solutions Showcase.
More than 50 education sessions and workshops will be presented in several different formats, encompassing every topic snowfighters look for—from equipment calibration to snow response strategies to workforce management and training to innovative solutions to snow and ice control. Attendees will also have the option to participate in technical learning tours such as the tour of the new Grand Rapids Public Services Facility, where they’ll learn about the renovations, new garage additions, and how the city approaches services like parks and fleet maintenance.
During Monday’s Opening General Session, David J. Sarkus, MS, CSP, widely known as The Safety Coach®, will explore ways to inspire more durable forms of personal commitment to safety with his keynote, “Leading from Your Heart!” APWA will honor this year’s four Excellence in Snow and Ice Control award winners: Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield, Michigan; City of Meriden, Meriden, Connecticut; Metropolitan Airports Commission, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Village of Barrington, Barrington, Illinois. Then, on Tuesday, Michelle Anne Johnson, an accomplished actress, speaker, and coach, will teach attendees how to embody powerful presence in her keynote, “The Secret to Powerful Presence is Personal Power.”
“As weather patterns shift, public works professionals from areas that typically haven’t seen large scale snow and ice are being called upon to respond to winter weather events,” said APWA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Scott D. Grayson, CAE. “The ability to respond in ways that keep communities safely moving forward comes from having equipment, materials, and team members prepared to jump into action. This conference is all about getting our snowfighters ready for what’s next.”
Media members are invited to attend NASC. To arrange for press credentials, please contact Jared Shilhanek, APWA Chief Growth Officer, at jshilhanek@apwa.org or by phone at (816) 595-5257. To request high-resolution event photos, please email media@apwa.org.
To learn more about NASC, visit the conference webpage.
About APWA
The American Public Works Association (www.apwa.org) is a not-for-profit, international organization of more than 32,000 members involved in the field of public works. APWA serves its members by promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy, and the exchange of knowledge. APWA is headquartered in Kansas City, MO, has an office in Washington, D.C., and 62 chapters and more than 90 branches throughout North America.
Jared Shilhanek
APWA Chief Growth Officer
(816) 595-5257
jshilhanek@apwa.org
