Learn more about snow and ice

The Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA) will hold its 12th Annual Snow & Ice Symposium in Louisville, KY, June 24-27, 2009. The four-day event will feature a trade show, speakers, networking events for professionals in the snow and ice industry, and over 20 educational sessions, four of which will focus on anti-icing and deicing.

David Cornett, Assistant Director/Division of Maintenance & Branch Manager/Roadside Environment Branch of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, realizes the importance of learning about anti-icing and deicing after the unusual winter Louisville had this past year. “The winter of 2008-09 climaxed with the ice storm that occurred on January 25-26, 2009,” says Cornett. “This dictated a completely different approach to how we addressed getting roadways opened. We had several inches of ice and trees and power lines were falling at will. We considered it a war zone.
Even at this late date, we are still cleaning up vegetative debris that was damaged from the ice storm in January.”

During the Symposium, SIMA will present a new track of educational sessions focusing entirely on anti-icing and deicing, targeting both beginners and experienced snow and ice contractors. Titles and speakers include the following:
· “Deicing 101: Deicing Decisions” – Gary Gliechman, Cryotech Deicing Technology
· “Liquids 101: Intro to Liquids” – Scott Zorno, Care Enterprises
· “Liquids 201: Advanced Liquid Applications” – Ken Ossian, Ossian, Inc.
· “Bulk Salt Supply Management” – Steven Kaar, Envirotech Central.
 “I plan to attend the sessions on anti-icing to see what new technologies may now be available and perhaps I can provide some insight into what Kentucky is doing in our anti-icing program,” says Cornett. All the sessions will be presented at the Kentucky International Convention Center on June 25-27, 2009.

The last session of the anti-icing and deicing track will focus on bulk salt supply management, a topic which has been difficult for some snow and ice contractors over the past few winter seasons. Cornett, who plans to attend the session, says “I hope there are some discussions on how everyone is coping with salt supplies and salt prices. This is of major concern for us at the state level.” This session will cover the necessities for being a sound salt supply manager, including understanding the logistical supply chain of bulk salt, knowing how to use salt efficiently, and having the personal skills to develop partnerships with suppliers.

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Registration  information is available now for the 12th Annual Snow & Ice Symposium at www.sima.org. . For a list of scheduled events or more information, contact [email protected], or call 414-375-1940.

The Snow & Ice Management Association Inc. (SIMA) is a trade association for those who manage snow and ice. SIMA ensures professionalism and safer communities by helping those who manage snow and ice master essential skills and practices.