Event Preview
By Maggie MacHale SC & RA Crane & Rigging Workshop
Part of the Conversation
SC & RA’ s 2026 Crane & Rigging Workshop will bring the industry together to discuss the issues shaping its future
The 2025 Crane & Rigging Workshop hosted by the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association( SC & RA) gathered more than 850 crane and rigging professionals, setting new attendee records. Building on the momentum, the 2026 Crane & Rigging Workshop, which will be held September 22 to 24, at the Hilton Omaha and the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska, is set to bring the industry together again for 11 educational sessions, 20 speakers, eight networking events, and a 96-booth exhibit center during the three-day event.
“ Beyond the numbers, though, what makes the Workshop special is the breadth of the experience,” noted Beth O’ Quinn, SC & RA senior VP, Crane & Rigging.“ Attendees can hear directly from experts on the issues affecting their businesses, participate in important committee discussions, explore new products and solutions, and connect with peers from across the industry. There really is something valuable happening throughout the entire event.”
The workshop also serves as more than a networking event. It gives attendees a chance to learn from their peers while exploring some of the industry’ s most pressing issues, including safety, regulations and standards, risk management, technology, and evolving equipment practices.
Educational Sessions
The 2026 event features several educational sessions that are designed to address current challenges occurring in the industry, rather than broad theoretical topics.
“ We start planning the educational sessions many months before, based on committee feedback, and the content of these sessions are very much grounded in what’ s happening on jobsites and in the office right now,” O’ Quinn said.
As nationally accredited Lift Director certification becomes a growing requirement among owners and contractors, the opening session, Lift Director Essentials: Roles & Responsibilities on Crane Jobsites, will provide attendees with a closer look at the responsibilities and qualifications associated with the role. The session will cover ASME B30.5 responsibilities, recent qualification requirement updates, their real-world implications, and when and how OSHA standards apply.
The workshop will also take a closer
look at planning, with Planning Load Handling Activities: ASME P30.1 and Its Practical Application. This session will examine the key components of effective lift planning, including defining the scope of work, identifying site and operational constraints, selecting appropriate equipment, and coordinating execution details. Using case studies and examples, the session illustrates how thorough planning can contribute to safer and more efficient operations.
The educational lineup will also look at what the industry can learn from past incidents. What Happened? Accident Reconstruction & Application will break down a real accident to identify potential pitfalls and demonstrate how accident reconstruction techniques can be incorporated into safety practices.
Together, the sessions emphasize the event’ s practical approach to education.
“ It’ s all about the issues companies are dealing with every day— safety, compliance, risk, and efficiency,” O’ Quinn added.
These sessions are designed to give attendees information they can take back to their companies and apply to everyday operations.
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September 2026 • www. cranehotline. com