Get Ready for Our “Essential” Spring Training! 2021 Virtual ISSA Slurry Systems Workshop

The Los Angeles Dodgers entered Spring Training this year with a plan and a goal.  Their hard work and determination paid off and they are now World Champions in their industry.  Everyone in their situation makes a commitment to improve and repeat.  In a little less than a month before the Dodgers set out on their quest for another championship, those of us in our most essential industry will have an opportunity to dust off the winter blahs and begin our quest for a championship season of our own by attending the first ever Virtual Slurry Systems Workshop.

For the past 38 years we have been fortunate to gather and get live instruction from the best in our business and learn how to be champions of the Pavement Preservation world.  The Workshop has grown from a meeting in 1983 with 17 attendees to a gathering last year of 460 Pavement Preservation pros from 41 states and 7 different countries at what is considered the best training opportunity in our industry.  When Road Managers around the country are asked what would most help them in their jobs invariably the answer is getting more training.  We all have faced many new challenges this year and whether you are an agency faced with maintaining a road network with dramatically reduced budgets or a contractor looking for that edge to help your customers maximize their resources during these unprecedented times, this Workshop experience promises to offer you the tools to help meet those goals.

The fact that we are going virtual with all of our sessions this year will not in the least detract from or minimize the level of world class instruction that our attendees will receive.  While we have added some topics pertinent to trends in the industry and to the times we are in, we will focus on the core disciplines represented by ISSA:

• Slurry Seal
• Micro Surfacing
• Crack Treatments
• Chip Seals

There will be detailed Best Practices Breakouts for each of these disciplines that are based on the Web Based Training modules that were built by ISSA representatives and sponsored by the FHWA.  What will be different this year is that while each one of these Breakouts will only be on the program once apiece, the entire Workshop and all of the sessions will be available on the ISSA website www.slurry.org for a year for all registered attendees to return and attend sessions that they were unable to attend during our 3 day Workshop or to simply review what they took in.  That is a huge plus for your registration fee.  Speaking of fees…this year with no travel or lodging costs to factor into your Workshop budget, the low registration fees for members, non-members and agency partners make this experience a great opportunity to provide this training to many of your employees or colleagues.  Please visit the website for detailed registration information.

While the agenda is still being finalized, some confirmed highlights of the Workshop this year will be:

• Lessons on how to operate safely during a pandemic
• Inspection tips for all of our core disciplines
• Opportunity to learn how to troubleshoot mix designs
• Visits to virtual mix tables for all the disciplines
• Equipment set up/calibrations for slurry/micro/chip seals
• Technical papers presented on aspects of our treatments (lab research, new developments, etc.)
• Virtual Equipment Showcase w/a few twists
• Updates on new action items from our agency partners (FHWA, NCPP, NCAT)
• Job stories from Award winning projects

The Slurry Systems Workshop Committee is constantly being challenged to present a program that is fresh and current to trends in our industry.  At the same time, the core principles need to be focused on as we continue to attract more than 50% new attendees every year.  In our virtual platform this year we will be doing a few things (everything actually!) differently.  Our exhibit area will be, of course, virtual and available throughout the Workshop.  In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to set up private, individual meetings to speak with vendors.  This includes a return of the RoadResource.org kiosk.  With the promise of many more agencies attending this year it will be a great opportunity for them to learn more about this exciting tool.  The return of the Advanced Track session for seasoned pros and first timers alike promises to be of high interest.  In lieu of our typical “refreshment” breaks, at the end of each day there will be a virtual networking and Happy Hour hosted by our sponsors.  This could prove to be very entertaining!

So…as you can see, this will be a worthwhile experience that has something for everyone.  Save January 19 – 21, 2021 on your calendars and look for registration information at www.slurry.org for the first ever ISSA Virtual Essential Spring Training to get your team ready for the next season that will be here sooner than you think!