The latest Institute of Demolition Engineers seminar found IDE members in fine form.
I will be honest, up until a week ago I had no intention of attending the latest Institute of Demolition Engineers’ seminar. Having received an advanced list of the guest speakers and details of their planned presentations, I noted that I had already seen Coleman and Company’s Chris Holland discuss Birmingham New Street Station; I knew that ARCA’s Terry Jago would be unable to shed any further light on the impending but as yet unconfirmed changes to the UK’s Control of Asbestos Regulations; and having been a co-author on the NFDC’s new High Reach Guidance Notes, I figured that the Federation’s CEO Howard Button wouldn’t be able to tell me anything I didn’t already know.
But with the mantra of “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” ringing in my ears, I headed for the Royal Armouries in Leeds with the intention of achieving little more than 24 hours of industry networking; which just goes to show that you can’t judge a conference by its advanced speaker list.
In the first year of his presidency, IDE President John Woodward has created an institute in his own image: ebullient, welcoming and gregarious. Gone are the arcane and archaic traditions of yore; swept aside by a positively youthful enthusiasm that was evident in the packed exhibition hall and through almost the entirety of the presenters assembled by event organiser Duncan Rudall. Behind the scenes, like the proverbial swan, IDE secretary Valerie Stroud and events secretary Rachel Meathrel were paddling furiously below the surface to ensure that the event was serenely smooth above.
We will be bringing you video highlights of the conference later in the week but it is also pleasing to note that of the eight presentations given three of the best were made by demolition engineers still on the right side of their 40th birthdays.
John Woodward rightly welcomed the presentations as evidence that demolition engineers were the industry’s problem solvers. He is right, of course, but there was so much more skill on display than mere problem solving. The contract planning demonstrated by Armac prior to the Catthorpe Interchange project would put a military strategist to shame; the collaborative work ethic between Erith and Magnox has opened a career path in the Diplomatic Corp should Erith’s Andy Dyson ever tire of demolition; and Coleman and Company’s ability to roll with the punches during the New Street Station contract could have come from the Angelo Dundee text book.
Yes, the IDE has yet to convince all its members of the benefits of CPD. And no, it has still not delivered on its plans for overseas expansion. But based on its latest seminar, this is not an Institute locked in the past but an Institute that has set its sights on the future.
For a 360 degree look around the exhibition hall, please click here.
