A Grand Event: NAESA joins Wisconsin Symposium

NAESA International and the State of Wisconsin Elevator Symposium join forces for the second consecutive year.

NAESA International held its annual business and general-membership meetings, along with educational sessions, during the fourth-annual State of Wisconsin Elevator Symposium at the Lake Geneva Grand Resort in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, on October 24-26, 2013. Eschewing its traditional annual workshop for the second consecutive year in favor of a new, regional-meeting approach seems to be working quite well for NAESA. The event, as the venue’s name suggests, was a grand success, with more than 220 elevator-industry personnel in attendance. 

For three full days, attendees participated in QEI-approved educational sessions, while interacting with State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) personnel and inspectors, along with numerous elevator-industry equipment suppliers and manufacturers’ representatives. Although the majority of the attendees came from Wisconsin and Illinois, many others traveled from throughout the U.S. and Canada to participate.

Business Meetings

The NAESA Board of Certification, Board of Directors, Executive Committee and Finance Committee met during the two days prior to the start of the symposium. On the afternoon of October 25, time was allocated for the NAESA General Membership, AHJ Membership, Private Inspector, Professional Membership and Organizational Membership meetings. In addition to completing the items on the meeting agendas, attendees discussed numerous issues of common concern and elected new NAESA officers and board members (see sidebar).

Educational Sessions

A fine educational program was the highlight of the symposium. Attendees were able to reinforce their existing knowledge of elevator-industry equipment, and code rules and regulations, as well as gain exposure to some of the industry’s newest equipment and inspection techniques, while discussing common issues and concerns. The following educational sessions were presented:

• “Safety in the Workplace” by Bob Shepherd
• “A17.1: Changes from 2007 through 2013” by Jim Runyan, NAESA
• “Elevator Fire Service Operations 2013” by Jim Runyan, NAESA
• “Update to A18.1 Safety Standard for Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts” by Kevin Brinkman, Kevin Brinkman and Associates
• “Plunger Gripper” by John Koshak, Elevator Safety Solutions
• “Periodic Test Requirements, Section 8.11 and DSPS Policies and Procedures” by David Holmes and Rick Merkle, State of Wisconsin
• “Current Code Update Process for Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 318” by Brian Rausch, State of Wisconsin
• “A17.6 Suspension Means Panel” by Bob Shepherd, Otis; Kevin Heling, Wurtec; and Vince Robibero, Schindler
• “Technology and Codes: Available Elevator Testing and Inspection Tools” by Heling

Fundraising Event

The Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation (EESF) held a silent auction that gave symposium attendees an opportunity to support its worthwhile cause. Proceeds from the event amounted to US$2,845, which was the total contributed to the EESF program.

Observations

All who attended this year’s combination Wisconsin Elevator Symposium/NAESA regional meeting observed that the event was very worthwhile for the NAESA inspectors and members in all categories. The facility, wonderful setting, food and amenities were second to none, and educational and networking opportunities prevailed throughout. If, in fact, NAESA decides to have its 2014 annual workshop in the same manner and at the same location, we would recommend you do whatever you can to attend what we are sure will be another successful elevator-industry event