Ohio Drilling & Blasting Conference Highlights

The Ohio Drilling & Blasting Conference took place March 18-19, 2009 at the Concourse Hotel in Columbus, Ohio.  Almost 200 attended this two-day event co-sponsored by the International Society of Explosives Engineers, Ohio Aggregates & Industrial Minerals Association, and Ohio Coal Association. The program was endorsed by Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

The conference began on Wednesday evening with a reception sponsored by ISEE.  Thursday morning began with a continental breakfast sponsored by Austin Powder.  Thursday featured a full day of presentations by experts in the explosives industry. 

The 2009 Blaster of the Year Award was presented to Daniel Vekaryasz of Austin Powder.  The 2009 Driller of the Year Award went to Steve Johns of National Lime & Stone.

Attendees qualified for blasters training credit hours in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.