July 23–25, 2010 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee was the site of this year's Underground Utility Contractors of Florida (UUCF) 30th Anniversary Convention. We are grateful for the overwhelming support of our sponsors and the enthusiastic participation of our members and guests in this year's convention.

There are many people to recognize and thank for this year's convention. First and foremost – the contractor's "partners" who are needed not just at convention, but year round – our associate members. Contractors need their equipment, materials and services so they can do the job of building Florida's infrastructure. This time of year, the same companies the contractors rely on every day in their business step forward to support the association's goal of improving our industry . . . and for that, we are greatly appreciative.

Throughout this article, we will recognize all of our great sponsors. A special thanks to our Platinum Sponsors: CNA Insurance; Nortrax; and Sunshine State One Call of Florida, Inc., whose early commitment helped make this year's convention so successful.

UUCF would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Gold Sponsors. They are: Glenn Rasmussen Fogarty & Hooker, P.A.; ITT Water & Wastewater Florida, LLC; Linder Industrial Machinery Company; Pensacola Concrete Construction Co., Inc.; and Honorary Gold Sponsor: Ring Power Corporation.

Finally, this grand convention would not have been possible without the hard work of this year's Convention Committee: Flo Woodall, Chairperson; Larry Falls; Paula Lieser; and Chris Stewart. We also would like to thank the Chapter Executive Directors and UUCF Staff for their hard work: Kathy Blackman; Sharon Fugatt; Michele Kelson; Misty McKendree; and UUCF staff Bruce Kershner, Julie Kershner and Tresa Crocker. Each one is to be commended for the many hours worked, creativity and team work. We couldn't have done it without them.

When attendees picked up their registration package at the convention, each couple (or individual if they did not bring a spouse/guest) was given an empty GOTTA bag. Attendees were instructed to put things in the GOTTA bag and carry with them while at the convention.

UUCF assigned Flo Woodall, Kathy Blackman, Julie Kershner and Tresa Crocker to walk throughout the hotel. If they spotted an attendee with the GOTTA bag, they were approached and asked to pull a piece of paper from their bag. The piece of paper read, “GOTTA (i.e., blue ink pen)?” If the attendee pulled (i.e., a blue ink pen) out of their GOTTA bag, then they were given a ticket.

Attendees accumulated as many tickets as possible throughout the convention. On Saturday night, tickets were pulled for prizes.

For those who did not carry the GOTTA bag, Flo Woodall, Kathy Blackman, Julie Kershner and Tresa Crocker walked throughout the hotel asking attendees trivia questions. For every trivia question the attendee answered correctly, they were given a ticket.

Attendees accumulated as many tickets as possible throughout the convention. On Saturday night, tickets will be pulled for prizes.

Throughout the convention, UUCF held a Lucky 30 Drawing in celebration of our 30th Anniversary.

The Lucky 30 Drawing was where UUCF placed the numbers of 1 through 30 on shells. Attendees at the Convention pulled a shell from the bowl. Whatever number was printed on the shell was the cost of the Lucky 30 Drawing (i.e., if the number 30 was pulled, the individual would pay $30.00). The Lucky 30 Drawing was so successful that two sets of 30 were drawn. All individuals held onto their shell(s) as it was their ticket(s) for the Lucky 30 Drawing which was held on Saturday night.

Half of the proceeds from the Lucky 30 Drawing collected went to the association, and the other half of the proceeds went to the winner.

A special treat provided to the attendee this year was a collection of past year's conventions in photo albums, slide shows and some videos. Photos were from the 1991 Convention to present. All of these items were taken to the Saturday night dinner for individuals to continue to reminisce about past year conventions. What a delightful treat.

Special thanks to Glenn Rasmussen Fogarty & Hooker, P.A. for sponsoring the Hospitality Room on Friday, July 23 and Saturday, July 24, 2010. The Hospitality Room gave the attendees a place to relax, socialize, bid on the Silent Auction items and purchase Lucky 30 shells. This year in the hospitality room, Nortrax provided a simulator where attendees had the chance to run an excavator.

Friday, July 23, marked the start of the convention with the UUCF Executive Committee and Board of Director's Meetings. Many issues were discussed.

On Friday afternoon, a Round Table Discussion, sponsored in part by Petticoat–Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc., was held. The biggest topic of discussion was Amendment 4.

Friday evening, the Welcome Cocktail Reception, sponsored in part by Ferguson Waterworks, Inc.; HD Supply Waterworks; Ring Power Corporation; and Utility Service Company, Inc., was held. During the Welcome Cocktail Reception, Flo Woodall welcomed everybody to the 2010 Convention. Bruce Wendorf addressed the members with issues that NUCA is working on as well as the 2011 Expo which he is chairing.

Bruce Kershner also installed the UUCF 2010/2011 Officers and Directors. UUCF is proud to have the following Officers for 2010/2011: President – Bill Lee, Utility Service Company; President Elect – Bruce Wendorf, Forsberg Construction, Inc.; Vice President – Mike Woodall, John Woody, Inc.; Vice President Convention – Flo Woodall, John Woody, Inc.; Treasurer – Kirk Richmond, Armadillo Underground; and Secretary – Ken Wachman, Michael James Developers, Inc.

The following is a list of the 2010/2011 Directors: District 2: JR Everly, Sock it Dewatering. Northwest Florida UCA: Joe Cook, Pensacola Concrete Construction Co., Inc.; Paula Lieser, Pensacola Concrete Construction Co., Inc.; Bill McGough, Gulf Equipment Corp.; and Alternate Bill Davis, HD Supply Waterworks. Southwest Florida UCA: Chris Stewart, ITT Water & Wastewater, LLC; and Alternate Tim Wise, Gulf Coast Underground, Inc. SUCA: Larry Falls, Associated Construction Products, Inc.; and Bill Haan, Westra Construction Corporation. UCA of North Florida: Lauren Atwell, Reynolds, Inc.; and Ryan Schmitt, Petticoat–Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc. Ex Officios: Scott Johnson, Johnson–Davis, Inc.

On Saturday at 2:00 p.m., a putting contest was held at the mini putt–putt course at the hotel. Individuals who hit par on each hole were given a ticket for entry into the drawing which would be held that evening.

Saturday evening began with the Dinner Party Reception, sponsored in part by Forsberg Construction, Inc.; and Johnson–Davis, Inc.

The Saturday Dinner Party, sponsored in part by HD Supply Waterworks, John Woody, Inc.; Utility Service Company, Inc.; and Valenti, Trobec & Woody, Inc., was a business casual affair.

Bill Lee presented the 2010 UUCF Construction Performance Awards for the Mitch Ellington, Gary D. Sawyer and Andrew J. Mayts Awards. The winners were: Mitch Ellington Award – Lauren T. Atwell of Reynolds, Inc. Gary D. Sawyer Award – Anthony "Tony" B. Zebouni of Regan, Zebouni & Walker, P.A., Attorney. Andrew J. Mayts Award – Kirk Richmond, Armadillo Underground.

Bruce Kershner, UUCF Executive Vice President, announced the recipient of the UUCF/Andrew Scott Johnson Memorial Scholarship Foundation. The $6,000 scholarship to an individual currently enrolled in high school was presented to Timothy "Tim" James Noble. Tim is the son of Garth Noble, who is employed by Raymow Construction Company, Inc. in Oldsmar, FL, and Caroline Noble.

Please click here for details of Tim Noble and other recipients of Meritorious Scholarships from the UUCF/ASJMSF.

The winner of the Lucky 30 Drawing was pulled. Elaine Kirkland, wife of John Kirkland of A. J. Johns, Inc. was the winner of $465.00. Congratulations Elaine.

Again, UUCF would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Platinum, Gold and Silver Sponsors. We would also like to thank the following sponsors and contributors:

BRONZE SPONSORS
• Florida Gas & Electric Corp.
• Northwest Florida Utility Contractors Association

SILENT AUCTION CONTRIBUTORS
• Armadillo Underground
• Boca Raton Resort & Club
• Coconut Creek Family Fun Park
• Ferguson Waterworks, Inc.
• John Woody, Inc.
• LGM Contracting, Inc.& Merucci Equipment Co.
• Lion Country Safari
• Naples Grande Beach Resort
• R. Bruce Kershner Company
• Southwest Florida Utility Contractors Association
• The Dali Museum
• The Jacksonville Jaguars
• Thompson Pump & Mfg. Co., Inc.
• Utility Contractors Association of North Florida

For pictures of the 2010 Convention, please click here.