ISA Minneapolis news

[SirTreeRat]

[ QUOTE ]


I hope to one day see one of these events live. Looks like one big happy family.

[/ QUOTE ]

It was my first one and I felt like I was at home. It was GREAT to see how family friendly this whole event was, and how everyone made you feel like family. Thanks to all for a great time. To quote Kristian (whiz) "you're hooked" To quote me:
"YES I AM!!!!"

 

[Oxman]

The Society of Commercial Arboriculture held a field day at S&S Tree. Several equipment displays were set up so folks could try out various tools. The SCA business meeting was conducted, awards were presented, and we heard & saw a full educational program.

A live country rock band bravely played while we feasted, drank beer, and ran diesel engines.

Here's Steve Chisholm operating the Branch Manager Grapple while Cartel Kingpin Dave Nordgaard walks him thru the skid steer controls.

 

[Oxman]

The Grabb-All guy was amazed that it took me 6 tries to pick up both pieces of firewood at once.

 

[Oxman]

L-R. Western Chapter ITCC committee chairman Gabe Beeler and former two-time champ Sam Noonan inspect a shear with the Ziegler Cat sales rep. Vermeer tub grinder is in the background.

 

[Oxman]

Who was spotted tooling around downtown Minneapolis? Why it's 3-time champ Ken Palmer & Tobe Sherrill! Fancy meeting them in front of the fountain on the way to the Closing Reception at the Hyatt.

This year marked a new truncated version of the former Closing Banquet, with a super fancy dessert bar including 3 fountains of lucious white, milk, and dark chocolate to dip fresh fruit into.

Unfortunately, the wrap-up event was held in a small restaurant, had a cash bar, and was minus the traditional steak dinner, entertainment & live dance band. The ladies sure missed their chance to dance with their men.

Attendance at the conference this year was down below 2,000 at the conference, but no announcement was made. I hope this omission will be reinstated next time.

 

[Kathy_Holzer]

[ QUOTE ]
All you guys and gals (especially you Kathy) who competed are a true inspiration to me in your tree skills, and it looks like everyone had a great time.

[/ QUOTE ]

hey thanks man! it's always fun to be surrounded by fellow gear-freaks and folks who understand the joy of climbing trees. i fall in love with our industry all over again every year at the international comp...such a great bunch of people!
k.

 

[guymayor]

Ox I'm not surprised that the attendance was under 2,000; i could see just by looking around. Still a lot of good people and good times there, but I'm wondering why more went to nashville and pittsburgh.

The only comment at the Ed. mtg on the program was that there was less "technical", like scientific, stuff than in the past. I think more "practical" stuff is more of a reason to go.

Thanks for posting the pics from the Commercial outing; I hung out with the utility session cuz of an earlyish flight.

 

[Bustus]

No fussing from this guy. I thought the meeting was great. The fact that fewer people were present meant increased opportunities for cornering speakers, researchers, and fellow arborists for face-to-face conversations. To me, the real exhcange of information occurs outside the dimly lit presentation rooms... the real exchange of ideas and information occurs in the conference hallways during the day and in the bars at night... don't-cha-no. U-betcha!

 

[Rupe]

I've been meaning to add here, thank you to everyone who posted pics during the event, Usually you have to wait a few days for everyone to get home before they can post pics.

It was alomost like having live up dates.

I guess with the new technology available these days you were all able to log on using wireless facilities at hotels etc or even mobile phones. Great work, maybe next year we can have interactive webcams at each event so you can follow a climber from WC to AR etc.

Speaking of new technology, I've recently found that when I do quotes, rather than e mail the quote later, if the customer has wireless I can sit in the car and do the qoute on the laptop and e mail it to them there and then.

If not then as long as your in a heavily occupied area you can often find a wirelss connection thats not secure and just hook up to that.