Brandon Hitch, Chief Executive Officer of The Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA) reviews the highly successful National Conference and Exhibition.
With the theme of ‘Leading the Way’ CICA National Conference 2022 looked ahead to the future of our industry, explored new technology, and innovations in crane operations. We shared a fabulous three days in Adelaide, and it was great to be back together again for a face-to-face conference, being able to reconnect with old friends, and network with new ones.
Attendees were treated to informative speakers, workshops and delightful opportunities to network and enjoy the food and wine for which South Australia is renowned. This year also saw a record number of ‘Lift of the Year’ entries, and I congratulate all who entered, your entries were complex and showcased the tremendous and intricate lifts being done all over this great land. The ‘Lift of the Year’ Awards are Australia’s premier crane lifting excellence awards, recognising and rewarding outstanding planning, teamwork and execution. I encourage you to keep the 2023 awards in the forefront of your minds, when planning lifts over the next nine months, and I would also like to thank Cranes and Lifting for their sponsorship of these awards.
Underwriting Agencies of Australia (UAA) were this year’s platinum sponsor, and it’s fair to say that an event of this calibre wouldn’t happen without the valuable support of UAA, and the support of all the sponsors. Thank you to our fabulous speakers, delegates, sponsors and exhibitors for supporting the 2022 CICA Conference and our industry. We look forward to re-connecting with you in Perth in 2023.
Once again Sue and her team from WISE Connections worked hard to organise, plan and deliver a wonderful conference experience, and a special shout out and thanks to Cheryl Woodhart, Jeff Wilson, Karli Sutherland, Peter Koschel and Susan Stagg for giving of your time to put together the conference program.
The CICA AGM saw the election of a new CICA President and with that, I would like to thank Tom Smith, the outgoing CICA President for his invaluable contribution. During Tom’s tenure as president, CICA has seen incredible growth and strategic and operating improvements. CICA has really benefitted from Tom’s leadership and vision. They say that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he handles lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights, but the tests of the last three years, make those minor annoyances, pale in comparison. The difficult COVID days, marked by lockdowns and evolving restrictions are thankfully behind us, but very fresh in our memories. Throughout the most trying days, Tom’s character and exemplary leadership shone through. He unwaveringly put the needs of others and the needs of CICA ahead of his own, and I really appreciate his commitment, guidance, selfless leadership and friendship.
I hope you enjoy this issue of the magazine and wish you and your loved ones a happy and safe Christmas. We look forward to working with you in 2023 for a safe and progressive crane industry.