58th annual paving conference graphic

The Maryland Asphalt Association hosted the 58th Annual Paving Conference on a rainy Thursday, March 17 – the first since 2019. The Paving Conference is the only asphalt-focused conference in the state of Maryland. Vendors began setting up in the wee hours of the morning, with attendees filling in not long after. Soon there was the customary quiet roar of people convening, enjoying breakfast and coffee, and speaking with colleagues and vendors in the hallways and meeting rooms before the event began.

The ladies of the F.O. Day table ready for the day.
The ladies of the F.O. Day table ready for the day.
Dr. Buzz Powell, NCAT
Dr. Buzz Powell, NCAT

We kicked off with Jim Mitchell of Superior Paving and current chairman of the National Asphalt Paving Association (NAPA) and Dr. Audrey Copeland, president and CEO of NAPA, giving their insight on the latest happenings at NAPA, followed by Greg Murill of FHWA’s Maryland Division discussing the priorities of the current Administration and the roll-out of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Dr. Buzz Powell of the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) Test Track then gave an update on Balanced Mix Design.

Attendees broke to visit vendors and catch up with colleagues, and then returned for morning breakouts, with the Embassy Room featuring updates on environmental product declarations (EPDs) from Joseph Shacat of NAPA, and a case study of Maryland performance testing with Drs. Chandra Akisetty of SHA Offices of Materials Technology and Dimitrios Goulias of the University of Maryland. In the Maryland Room, attendees heard from Steve McReynolds of Asphalt Testing Solutions & Engineering present on the even habits of highly effective paving foreman and Laikram “Nars” Narsingh of Wirtgen America follow up with paving basics, string line, set-up, and yield.

A busy Vendor Hall
A busy Vendor Hall
First Sgt. Colin Bristow, Maryland State Police
First Sgt. Colin Bristow, Maryland State Police

Following lunch, we reconvened for an afternoon session with Maryland State Police First Sergeant Colin Bristow and SHA Office of Traffic and Safety Director Cedric Ward on their offices’ response to increased issues with work zone safety during the pandemic. We also heard from Subrat Mahapatra of the SHA Asset Management Office and SHA Fund 77 Manager Greg Knoyer for updates from their departments.

Our last set of breakouts following a break had Buzz Powell back in the Embassy Room to discuss innovative asphalt updates from the NCAT Test Track. TJ Young presented the seven characteristics of highly effective plant operators in the Maryland Room.

The Paving Conference audience listens carefully
The Paving Conference audience listens carefully
MDOT SHA Office of Materials Technology (OMT) accepts their award. From left: Becky Smith, Chandra Akisetty, Mike Moses (Paving Expert), and Sejal Barot
MDOT SHA Office of Materials Technology (OMT) accepts their award. From left: Becky Smith, Chandra Akisetty, Mike Moses (Paving Expert), and Sejal Barot

Following one last break with the vendors, we took the opportunity to recognize the best paving in Maryland with the 2021 Maryland Excellence in Paving Awards ceremony. Attendees were able to watch high-resolution videos of each project, review the details of each job, and congratulate the winners in person.

Overall, we had over 450 attendees, a sold-out Vendor Hall, and a record number of sponsors for this year’s Paving Conference. We appreciated the opportunity to allow people in the industry to gather, learn, and reconnect with friends and colleagues from across the industry.

Save the date for the 59th Annual Paving Conference: Wednesday, March 8, 2023.
View a video montage of photos from the Paving Conference.

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