Representing over 150 of the world’s leading companies in the pavement preservation and rehabilitation industries, over 350 attendees gathered to participate in the 13th combined annual meeting of the Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturers Association (AEMA 43rd Annual Meeting), the Asphalt Recycling & Reclaiming Association (ARRA 40th Annual Meeting), and the International Slurry Surfacing Association (ISSA 54th Annual Convention). Held in Bonita Springs, FL, the gathering heard more than 30 speakers over the four-day period.
The meeting was a concentrated assembly of industry promotion and technological advancement, as industry leaders and innovators joined together in a unique opportunity to discuss subjects of common interest and to share news of accomplishments in their related fields. This year’s program focused on ‘Getting Value from your Industry Association.’ The meeting highlighted advancements in technology and the application of asphalt emulsions and other additives, asphalt recycling and reclaiming, slurry and micro surfacing, chip seal and crack treatments.
In addition to the usual working and technical committee sessions that are always part of each association’s annual meeting, registrants heard presentations from numerous industry experts and leaders on a wide variety of subjects.
The Annual Meeting began with the president’s welcome by AEMA President Archie Reynolds (Walker Emulsions), ARRA President Ryan Essex (Miller Paving Ltd.), and ISSA President Rusty Price (Intermountain Slurry Seal).
The first presentation of the meeting was a keynote titled “Getting the Most from Your Association” by Shelley Row, Shelley Row Associates LLC. Next was the Washington and Legislative Report provided by Williams and Jensen’s Tracy Taylor.
Jim Moulthrop, FP2 Inc., gave a presentation on "FP2: How It Works for You." Larry Galehouse, National Center for Pavement Preservation, followed that with a presentation on "The Benefits of Working Together." After Galehouse, Dr. R. Buzz Powell, PE, National Center for Asphalt Technology, gave an update on the NCAT Pavement Test Track. The last presentation of the morning was by Hari Kalla, FHWA Office of Asset Management, Pavement, and Construction, about the FHWA Pavement Program.
The afternoon featured breakout sessions for each association.
During AEMA’s Session, Past AEMA President Mark McCollough, Asphalt Materials, Inc., presented the "2016 AEMA Strategic Planning and Marketing Update." Chris Lubbers, Kraton Polymers, provided the "PPETG – Emulsion Task Force Update (ETF)." Following that was the "Regulatory, Environmental, Health, & Safety Compliance: Relevance to the Asphalt Emulsion Industry" presentation by Everett Crews, Ingevity. Andrew Braham, P.E., University of Arkansas, discussed the "Asphalt Emulsion Residue Recovery: State of the State." BASF’s Arlis Kadrmas presented "Asphalt Emulsion VOC Testing." The last presentation was "Rejuvenating Chip Seal Specifications - Using the Bending Beam Rheometer" by Trey Jordan, Paragon Technical Services Inc.
ARRA’s Session started with "Soil Stabilization Spreaders: Information and Best Practices" by Michael McHugh, Stoltz MFG., LLC. After Michael was Kyle Hammon, Roadtec, Inc., discussing "Milling for Smoothness, Milling for Profit." The next presentation was "Fine Milling and Micro Milling to the Next 'Level'" by Randy Dobson, Caterpillar. The last ARRA session was on "Intelligent Compaction (IC) for Cold In-place Recycling" by Donald M. Matthews, PE, Pavement Recycling Systems Inc.
ISSA’s Session began with a discussion on the "Low Noise Micro-China Market" by Delong Wu, Shanghai Longfu Materials Technology Co. Scott Dmytrow, Telfer Pavement Technologies, followed Delong with a presentation on "Promoting Multi Lift Preservation Treatments." Rex W. Eberly, Bergkamp Pavement Preservation Solutions, then discussed the "NCPP/ISSA Contractor/Agency Certification." After which, Terry Jackson, VM Fiber Feeders Inc., presented "Fiber Enhanced Slurry Surfacing." The last ISSA Session presentation was on "Slurry Certification" by Slurry Pavers Inc.’s Ford Hier.
The following day began with the AEMA-ARRA-ISSA Recognition Breakfast. Following breakfast was the second keynote on "Work Force Issues 2016" given by Keith Reester, Reester & Associates. This was followed by AEMA, ARRA, and ISSA annual business meetings. Attendees then departed for the Annual Golf Tournament at the Raptor Bay Golf Club or their own networking activities.
The last day continued the individual association’s breakout sessions.
AEMA’s Session began with Dr. Y. Richard Kim, NC State University, discussing "Performance-Related Specifications for Emulsions Used in Pavement Preservation Surface Treatments." Dr. Amy Epps-Martin, Texas A&M University, then presented on the "Implementation of the Surface Performance-Grade (SPG) Specification in Texas." The session ended with an open floor discussion, with questions, by Dr. Y. Richard Kim, NC State University, and Dr. Amy Epps-Martin, Texas A&M University.
ARRA’s Sessions were their Cold Planing, Cold Recycling, Full Depth Reclamation/Soil Stabilization, and ARRA Hot In-Place Recycling Committee meetings.
ISSA’s Sessions started with their Slurry/Micro/Chip Seal/Crack Treatment meeting. It concluded with a presentation by ISSA 2015 President’s Award Winner Strawser Construction Inc./Terry Asphalt Materials Inc., given by Strawser Construction Inc.’s W. Pierre Peltier, on the project that won the award.
The attendees came back together for two final presentations before the meeting adjourned. Wirtgen America’s Tom Chastain gave a presentation on micro milling. The final presentation was on "Trucking as a Regulatory Target: The View through the Windshield," by Ken Armstrong, Florida Trucking Association.
The 2016 AEMA-ARRA-ISSA annual meeting was a huge success. We hope to see you next year for the 2017 AEMA-ARRA-ISSA Annual Meeting held Feb. 14-17, 2017 at the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa in Tucson, AZ.
