The National Asphalt Pavement Association announced that it will hold its 49th Annual Convention Jan. 18-21 in Phoenix. Actor and former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson will deliver the convention's keynote address.
A special feature of the 2004 convention will be a Quiet Pavement Tour. The Arizona DOT is contracting for asphalt overlays over hundreds of miles of existing urban concrete freeways in order to reduce pavement noise. Convention attendees will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the pavements and processes involved.
In his keynote address, Thompson will share his background as a "country lawyer" turned U.S. Senator and prime time and big screen actor. The "Law & Order" star will speak out on government issues and will discuss the government's readiness for the 21st Century.
Workshops will give attendees the edge on future issues of hot-mix asphalt (HMA). HMA producers, contractors and equipment suppliers from the U.S. and Canada, as well as countries around the world, will be on hand for the sessions featuring speakers who will address current industry issues and future trends. Topics will range from the reauthorization of TEA-21 and its impact on the industry to building porous asphalt pavements, making Superpave work and ensuring security in a post-9/11 era.