Event Review
2026 SC & RA Crane & Rigging Workshop conversations that began with other topics.
“ Workforce kept coming up, even when the discussion started with tariffs, data centers, technology, or insurance,” Gallivan said.“ Companies need people who can grow into the work ahead of them.”
Lydia Hird, director of creation at Cherry Picker Pete, also heard discussions about attracting younger generations and passing on industry knowledge.
“ Technology, AI, and new equipment will continue changing how the industry operates, but we will still need skilled, knowledgeable, and safety-conscious people to operate, engineer, maintain, and manage it,” Hird said.
Safety and Communication
Safety discussions addressed lift director responsibilities, planning, and jobsite communication. Gallivan also took an interest in the sessions on lift director roles and responsibilities and ASME P30.1.
“ The session on lift director roles and responsibilities reinforced how much clear responsibility matters on a crane jobsite,” Gallivan noted.“ The ASME P30.1 discussion on planning load-handling activities connected well with it. Both brought the conversation back to the work itself and the people responsible for it.”
Some conversations also highlighted how technology can help workers communicate hazards to crane operators.
“ We are especially interested in how technology will continue to support human decision-making and communication on jobsites,” Marquis said.“ AI, automation, and connected technology have tremendous potential, but we are equally interested in practical safety technologies that give workers better ways to communicate and respond to changing conditions in real time.”
SC & RA also announced its Hard Hat Courage partnership, bringing mental health and suicide-prevention resources into the industry’ s safety conversation.
Technology
Artificial intelligence( AI) was another topic extending beyond the keynote. O’ Quinn noted that attendees discussed its potential applications in everyday operations.
SC & RA committee meetings gave members time to discuss industry priorities, from workforce development and safety to technical challenges and regulatory issues.
“ There was interest in its potential to improve productivity and efficiency, along with thoughtful discussion about how it can complement but not replace the experience and judgment of industry professionals,” O’ Quinn stated.
Other topics included machine-learning-based rope inspection, operations platforms, and synthetic lifting chain, reflecting the range of technologies attendees were evaluating.
Beyond the Sessions
The discussions taking place weren’ t solely focused on education, either, and often included equipment selection, operational challenges, investment decisions, and more. The exhibit center exposed participants to a range of equipment, services, and business considerations. Conversations went beyond new products to address how companies could pay for equipment, apply it to specific jobs, and integrate it into their operations.
Largillier noted that many conversations centered on explaining the Franna’ s pick-and-carry crane model and how it could fit into customers’ operations.
“ The question I heard most was simply,‘ What can a Franna crane do?’’’ he explained.“ That gave me the chance to explain the pick and carry concept: lifting a load and travelling with it without having to set up outriggers for each lift.”
Infinity Mattz also found interest from attendees in the weight and strength of the mats for challenging jobsites. One conversation led to a potential partnership.
The 2026 SC & RA Crane & Rigging Workshop brought industry professionals together to exchange ideas, discuss shared challenges, and build connections.
“ We were approached almost immediately in the exhibit hall by another exhibitor with an adjacent product to ours about how our product lines might work together to expand growth opportunities for both companies,” Kvien recalled.“ Connections like this are one of the biggest benefits we realized from the show.”
Vertical Supply Group, meanwhile, heard demand for reliable slings and rigging ropes, as well as interest in equipment used to protect sensitive surfaces during crane movement. Gowder also saw opportunities to connect with crane training companies.
“ Companies and operators are always looking for reliable, quality gear. Quick
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November 2026 • www. cranehotline. com