SPRINGFIELD, IL — The Illinois Association of Aggregate Producers (IAAP) recently held its 52nd Annual Convention combined with the Aggregate Miner Safety Conference for professionals in the aggregates industry to learn about the goods and services offered by 77 of IAAP’s associate member companies with booths in the expo. The event provided two days of educational workshops and social events.

The first day was capped by an opening reception that offered more time for convention attendees to visit the expo, enjoy a drink, network with others, and participate in a live auction to benefit IAAP’s political action committee. On the second day, representatives from the Department of Natural Resources were on hand in the expo to sell hunting and fishing licenses and permits for the upcoming seasons. New programming included a change to the way awards are handed out so that every winner was recognized at lunch, an enhanced breakfast, and ice cream in the expo area. There was also a Clue Game, where out of 27 people that successfully identified the suspect, weapon, and place of the murder, Randy Stukel (Richwood) was the drawing winner and received $1,000.

The day-long Aggregates 101/102 program, offered by the IAAP Specifications & Technical Committee, taught basic geology, uses of aggregates, production methods, and desired characteristics. Attendees at the Aggregate Miner Safety Conference, on the first day of convention, received Reasonable Suspicion Supervisor Training in the Era of Marijuana at Work and learned about MSHA’s priority concerns and safety initiatives. Chuck Cantrel taught attendees about safety around water along with Dale Anderson, who identified and explained behaviors that lead to accidents. To see other presentations offered during the convention and safety conference, go to iaap-aggregates.org/seminar-download-2020.html.

IAAP Committee Chairs reported their past accomplishments and future goals. Jason Schlee (Vulcan Materials) was recognized for serving as Chair of the Safety Committee. Aaron Ozinga (Ozinga Materials) passed the IAAP President honors to Jack Keeler (LafargeHolcim). Special recognition was given to Don Mikulic (Weis Earth Science Museum) for years of service to the industry and as a founding member of the IAAP’s Teachers Workshop program.

During the convention, the IAAP Public Information and Education Committee members sold 50/50 raffle tickets to raise money for their educational efforts. Wyatt Miller (Mill Creek Mining) purchased the winning ticket and was awarded $2,458.