Save the Date: First North American IPAF Summit

IPAF_Logo_2013

IPAF_Logo_2013The International Awards for Powered Access (IAPAs) and the IPAF Summit conference will be held on March 26, 2013 at the Hilton Miami Downtown Hotel in Miami, Florida. This unmissable event combines educational and networking opportunities as well as celebrating excellence in the access industry. It is jointly organized by industry magazines Access International and Access Lift & Handlers and IPAF. Put the date in your diary and be part of a host of events taking place from March 25 to 27.

This is the first time that the IPAF Summit and IAPAs are being held in the US, and there is an excellent line-up of top speakers for the Summit conference.

March 26, morning and afternoon: IPAF Summit

The IPAF Summit will be a full day of plenary conference and seminars. The day will start at 9:00am with the IPAF Annual General Meeting (AGM) for IPAF members only. This will be followed by breakout seminars that all delegates can attend, covering topics related to AWPs and mast climbing work platforms (MCWPs), ranging from inspections and maintenance, to accident reporting and safety training.

The plenary conference in the afternoon will bring all delegates together and provide them with valuable take-home messages that contribute toward a professional and safe powered access industry. Ron DeFeo, chairman & CEO of Terex, will give the keynote address. Other confirmed speakers include Michael Kneeland, president & CEO of United Rentals, and Sérgio Kariya, managing director of the rental division of Mills Estruturas e Serviços de Engenharia SA in Brazil.

The Summit is held in English, with simultaneous translation in Spanish, Portuguese and Italian. Attendance is free. Register in advance at www.iapa-summit.info.

March 26, evening: International Awards for Powered Access (IAPAs)

Bookings are open for the International Awards for Powered Access (IAPAs), a gala dinner and awards ceremony which will take place at the Hilton Miami Downtown Hotel. The IAPAs celebrate best practice and excellence in the powered access industry. Award categories range from products and projects, to rental companies and after-sales service. Winners and finalists are chosen by a top-level, independent judging panel.

The award categories and details on how to enter will be announced shortly. This ticket-only gala dinner is expected to attract more than 450 guests from around the world, so book early to be part of this special evening. Book now at www.iapa-summit.info.

IAPA_Logo_2013Other events include:

March 25, afternoon: Aerial Work Platform (AWP) Management Training

IPAF is running a half-day Aerial Work Platforms (AWPs) for Managers course from 12:30pm to 5:00pm at a location next to the conference hotel. This course is targeted at project managers, construction foremen, supervisors, and other personnel who need to manage the use of AWPs on-site.

The course covers equipment selection, legal responsibilities, safe and effective use, planning for the use of multiple AWPs in confined areas, etc. but does not include operator training.

Candidates take a written test and receive a certificate of completion if successful. Register for the course by sending an e-mail to [email protected].

March 25, evening: IPAF Networking Event

The IPAF Networking Event gives you a chance to meet colleagues, customers and industry friends in an informal atmosphere. It will be held at Villa 221, a fashionable venue located just across the street from the Hilton Miami Downtown Hotel. Villa 221 comprises two of the city’s most distinctive historic and elegant Spanish villas (which are over one-hundred years old).

Attendees can look forward to a buffet with relaxing entertainment in a garden setting.

There is no cost to attend, and the networking event is open to all IPAF members and to people holding a ticket for the IAPA Awards Dinner. However, places for this popular event are limited to around 250. Register in advance at www.iapa-summit.info.

March 27, morning: Site visits

Delegates will have the opportunity to visit rental depots and construction sites in the vicinity. Tours are being arranged by IPAF and details will be announced at the end of 2012.

The IPAF Summit and IAPAs 2014 will be held in the UK.

Book now for the IPAF Summit and IAPAs 2013 in Miami, Florida, USA at www.iapa-summit.info.