CICA holds national conference

The Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA) held its National Conference, Exhibition and Crane Display at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart, Tasmania, from 11 to 13 September 2013.

In total, 370 delegates attended the event, which is held for the crane and lifting industry in Australia.

Alan Marshall, CICA chief executive officer, said, “The major factor in holding the event in Hobart was the drive to locate the key elements in one spot. Our state host was the Victorian Crane Association (VCA) who were instrumental in the decision to go to Hobart. Our conference traditionally includes an outdoor crane display, a two-day speaker programme and trade exhibition. We had 16 mobile cranes on display and the sight of these massive, high-tech cranes with booms reaching for the clouds, alongside the waterfront was magnificent.”

Highlights of the event included the crane display, technical presentations, a manufacturers panel, the launch of the CICA Financial Education and Benchmarking Program and the Lift of the Year Awards, which were presented at the Gala Dinner.

“The Gala Awards Dinner is always a crowning finale to the Conference,” Marshall said. “The Lift of the Year Award winners were announced, being - Category A (over 130 tonnes): Universal Cranes and Category B (under 130 tonnes): Gillespies Crane Services. The CICA Bill Shaw Memorial Award for the Best Overall Lift was announced with Universal Cranes receiving the perpetual Cup. An added feature was the announcement of the new CICA Excellence Awards.”

The 2014 CICA Conference will take place in Sydney, 24 - 26 September at the Olympic precinct Allphones Arena and The Dome.