Event Review
2026 SC & RA Crane & Rigging Workshop delivery is paramount, and we can deliver on that,” Gowder said.
For William Wallwin, regional sales manager at Commercial Credit Group, conversations often turned to the financial side of equipment decisions.
“ One topic that came up frequently was funding, specifically, how companies are securing financing for new equipment, technology investments, and fleet modernization,” Wallwin stated.“ It was valuable to hear different perspectives on the resources available and the creative ways businesses are investing in growth while adapting to changing market conditions.”
Being in the Room
Beyond introducing new products and discussing critical conversations within the industry, the workshop provided an essential space for networking and meeting peers that made just being in the room valuable.
In-person conversations helped participants move beyond initial introductions, and first-time exhibitors found that those exchanges provided not only opportunities to explain their operations but to also hear directly from other industry professionals.
Hird recalled the repeated conversations with attendees who initially approached the booth for the characters on display but left with insights and ideas for connecting with children in their own communities.
“ That transition from‘ What is Cherry Picker Pete?’ to‘ How can we get involved?’ was very rewarding,” Hird said.“ It showed us that there is space within the crane and rigging industry for a project like ours.”
For Largillier, that meant follow-up conversations with companies considering where Franna cranes could fit into their fleets and upcoming projects, while Gallivan connected with employers interested in operator development and qualification tracking. For many exhibitors, these conversations went beyond
The 2026 workshop featured a sold-out, 96-booth exhibit center, bringing crane and rigging manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers together to connect with industry professionals. introductions, opening the door to future collaborations and solutions to specific business needs.
At the end, it really boils down to the connections made, the people met.
“ I met several people who I expect will become valuable professional contacts,” Wallwin said.“ From the networking times to the exhibit center, it was clear that this event brings together people who genuinely want to share knowledge, build relationships, and move the industry forward.”
Taking the Conversation Back To Work
The 2026 SC & RA Crane & Rigging Workshop provided committee discussions on tower crane engineering and wind design, workforce priorities, mental health, near-miss lessons, and tariff-advocacy, but these conversations are more than just talk. They often lead to work that continues beyond the workshop, from SC & RA’ s tariff-relief efforts into 2027 to its mental health and suicide-prevention initiatives.
Alongside these initiatives, participants took different concepts back to their businesses, from potential business relationships and new equipment applications to ideas for workforce development and practical uses for technology.
“ The Workshop continues to serve as a place where established industry professionals and newcomers can connect, exchange ideas, and get a sense of where the industry is headed,” O’ Quinn concluded.
O’ Quinn expects that momentum to carry into next year’ s workshop in Lexington, Kentucky, September 28 to 30, 2027.
The 2026 SC & RA Crane & Rigging Workshop combined educational sessions, committee meetings, and exhibit hall conversations focused on current issues and developments in the crane and rigging industry.
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November 2026 • www. cranehotline. com