The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) honored a number of industry organizations with the 2005 “Chapter Excellence Awards" during the association’s Annual Convention, held Sept. 12-16 in Palm Beach, Fla.
The competition recognizes the key role ARTBA state chapters play in advancing the interests of the transportation construction industry. Award winners in the following categories included:
Legislative and regulatory advocacy campaigns
This category recognizes one-time or on-going programs and activities undertaken to achieve important transportation construction industry legislative or regulatory objectives.
Florida Transportation Builders Association (FTBA)
During the 2005 state legislative session, FTBA waged aggressive grassroots lobbying and advocacy campaigns on several major issues. The group’s efforts resulted in record levels of additional state investment in transportation improvement projects. It also included tort reform legislation relating to limits of liability, which was viewed very positively for contractors and engineers doing work with the Florida Transportation Department.
Public Relations & Education Campaigns
This category recognizes one-time or on-going programs and activities that are aimed at shaping public opinion about the transportation construction industry and/or specific industry issues in a positive way.
Three awards were presented.
Ohio Contractors Association (OCA)
The OCA won two awards for successfully planning two career-oriented events that allowed students to learn about the transportation industry and related professions. “The Science of Big Machines" program, aimed at pre-school and school-aged children and their parents, provided an opportunity for hundreds of young people to experience operating mobile construction equipment while gaining an understanding of careers available in the construction and equipment industries. The second event, “Constructor for a Day," was geared toward high school and college students throughout Ohio and Northern Kentucky, and allowed students a chance to experience first-hand working job sites and talk with industry experts, with a goal of inspiring a future career in heavy construction.
A third award was presented to the Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association (MITA)
In 2005, the Associated Underground Contractors (AUC) and Michigan Road Builders Association (MRBA) successfully merged to form the Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association (MITA). The goal of this merger, which took effect February 1, was to unite the industry into one influential voice, thus strengthening services to all its members now and into the future. MITA initiated a campaign with its membership and the general public to educate them about the new organization, its staff and the benefits and opportunities associated with the merger. It included a new website, magazine and directory, enhanced communications with the membership and media outreach.
Training & Education
This category recognizes one-time or on-going programs and activities that improve the level of professional skills among the state association’s member firm employees.
Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association (MITA)
MITA was also recognized for working with the major utilities in Michigan and establishing a contract to guide a safe and fair underground utility locating process. The “Best Practices Contract" helped clarify the language in the Michigan “MISS Dig Act" and created new areas of agreement that go above and beyond the law. MITA educated its members about the contract by holding classes at the association’s statewide “Super Conferences" and distributing a pocket reference card, which highlights key elements of the contract. More than 260 MITA members have become signatories to the contract.
