Event Review
By Seth Skydel
Reaching New Heights
Each year, SC & RA celebrates engineering innovation through Rigging Jobs of the Year presentations. This year’ s winners included Barnhart, Mountain Crane Service and Bragg Companies.
Inside SC & RA’ s record-setting Crane & Rigging Workshop
When more than 850 crane, rigging and specialized transportation professionals gathered in Indianapolis this September, it was clear: the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association’ s( SC & RA) 2025 Crane & Rigging Workshop had reached new heights. The three-day event brought together a mix of operators, engineers, safety experts, fleet managers and industry leaders.
“ Year after year, the Crane & Rigging Workshop gives both SC & RA members and non-members a meaningful way to connect with the people, topics and solutions shaping our industry,” said Beth O’ Quinn, senior vice president, Crane & Rigging, SC & RA.“ It’ s designed to deliver value at every level and ensure that every professional who attends leaves with actionable insights and resources to strengthen their business. The Crane & Rigging Workshop is an opportunity to be in one place with peers, experts and decision-makers.”
The numbers tell part of the story— over 850 attendees, a sold-out exhibit hall with 90 booths and 11 educational sessions covering leadership, safety, compliance and innovation. But the experience went beyond numbers. For many, it was about being part of the discussions that define the future of lifting, transport and workforce development.
Mike Tomaro, chief operating officer of Fenton Rigging & Contracting and vice chair of SC & RA’ s Crane & Rigging Group, opened the event by welcoming participants to a“ full program of safety, technical and risk management sessions— and plenty of networking opportunities.”
It’ s designed to deliver value at every level and ensure that every professional who attends leaves with actionable insights and resources to strengthen their business.
Learning That Lifts
The Crane & Rigging Workshop educational program reflected the depth of the industry itself. Across three days, experts led sessions designed to confront real-world challenges from managing project risk to navigating the evolving insurance landscape.
The opening session, Take Me to Your Leader: How to Cultivate the Right Field Members Within Your Workforce, set the tone with an in-depth look at how companies can identify and elevate emerging leaders. Moderated by Jim Sever, owner of PSC Crane & Rigging, the panel included Patrick Lewis, president of Superior Rigging & Erecting Co., and David Webster, president of Barnhart.
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More than 850 crane, rigging and specialized transportation professionals gathered at the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association’ s 2025 Crane & Rigging Workshop. On the agenda were 11 educational sessions covering leadership, safety, compliance and innovation.