Indiana & Kentucky 811: Celebrating Damage Prevention Legacy.

IN THE FALL, title sponsors Indiana 811 and Kentucky 811 welcomed facility operators, locators, excavators, regulators, engineers and other professionals who work near underground facilities to the sixth annual Midwest Damage Prevention Training Conference (MWDPTC). With a snowy backdrop, the conference returned to French Lick, Indiana, at the historic French Lick Resort from Nov. 14-16. More than 530 damage prevention stakeholders from across the country attended the conference to network and take advantage of various training and educational opportunities.

In honor of the opening dates of Indiana 811 (1981) and Kentucky 811 (1987), the MWDPTC kicked off with a retro-themed 811 Classic Welcome Reception, celebrating the damage prevention industry’s legacy throughout the region. Guests enjoyed an 811-vintage-themed costume contest, special living statue party guests, a stroll on the green carpet, and the opportunity to network with more than 45 vendors throughout the exhibit hall, as well as fellow guests. Attendees also had the chance to participate in networking events as part of their MWDPTC experience, selecting from horseback riding in the hills of southern Indiana, golf at the Donald Ross course, or a turkey shoot at Lost River Game Farm.

This year, attendees heard from two featured speakers as crowd-favorite safety trainer David Miguel delivered a motivational morning keynote address, and two-time U.S. Olympian and utility damage survivor Cliff Meidl gave a presentation during lunch. Their compelling presentations were bolstered by the conference’s most robust set of all-conference and breakout sessions yet. Industry-leading subject matter experts discussed topics including damage prevention’s role in spotting illegal activity, the intricacies of gas migration, case studies from the Indiana Underground Plant Protection Advisory Committee, real stories from PHMSA’s Accident Investigation Division and more! The 2019 MWDPTC is set to return to French Lick on November 6-8, 2019.