Reaching New Heights

When more than 850 crane, rigging and specialized transportation professionals gathered in Indianapolis this September, it was clear: the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association’s (SC&RA) 2025 Crane & Rigging Workshop had reached new heights. The three-day event brought together a mix of operators, engineers, safety experts, fleet managers and industry leaders.

“Year after year, the Crane & Rigging Workshop gives both SC&RA members and non-members a meaningful way to connect with the people, topics and solutions shaping our industry,” said Beth O’Quinn, senior vice president, Crane & Rigging, SC&RA. “It’s designed to deliver value at every level and ensure that every professional who attends leaves with actionable insights and resources to strengthen their business. The Crane & Rigging Workshop is an opportunity to be in one place with peers, experts and decision-makers.”

The numbers tell part of the story — over 850 attendees, a sold-out exhibit hall with 90 booths and 11 educational sessions covering leadership, safety, compliance and innovation. But the experience went beyond numbers. For many, it was about being part of the discussions that define the future of lifting, transport and workforce development.

Mike Tomaro, chief operating officer of Fenton Rigging & Contracting and vice chair of SC&RA’s Crane & Rigging Group, opened the event by welcoming participants to a “full program of safety, technical and risk management sessions — and plenty of networking opportunities.”

Learning That Lifts

The Crane & Rigging Workshop educational program reflected the depth of the industry itself. Across three days, experts led sessions designed to confront real-world challenges from managing project risk to navigating the evolving insurance landscape.

The opening session, Take Me to Your Leader: How to Cultivate the Right Field Members Within Your Workforce, set the tone with an in-depth look at how companies can identify and elevate emerging leaders. Moderated by Jim Sever, owner of PSC Crane & Rigging, the panel included Patrick Lewis, president of Superior Rigging & Erecting Co., and David Webster, president of Barnhart.

“We’ve had many discussions about recruiting and retaining workers, but we really haven’t addressed how to cultivate and help develop someone that you see leadership potential in,” O’Quinn explained. “This session provided a vital opportunity to expand on what’s been covered in the past and help companies grow their next generation of leaders.”

Other workshop sessions explored technical precision and safety. Tower Crane Assembly/Disassembly – Planning for Safety Success took participants through best practices from bid phase to field execution, while Up & Down Safely: Fall Protection and Hazards in Crane Assembly & Disassembly brought Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 1926.1400 compliance to life with practical takeaways on inspections, responsibilities and the industry’s shift toward advanced safety helmets.

Additionally, From Hook to High-Tech: Mastering Below-the-Hook Lifting Devices offered a deep dive into the lifecycle of below-the-hook devices from design and manufacturing to field applications. And for those navigating today’s risk-heavy business climate, When Your Operator Becomes a Driver and Lifting Through the Fog: Navigating Today’s Insurance Climate helped demystify regulatory expectations, insurance requirements and liability trends.

A highlight of the Crane & Rigging Workshop, the midweek keynote session — Strategic Insights: Adapting to Evolving Market Trends — was delivered by Mike Clancy, strategy practice leader at FMI. His presentation focused on how shifting market forces, economic conditions and policy changes are shaping the crane and rigging sector’s future.

Clancy emphasized the importance of agility and diversification, exploring strategies for maintaining stability amid uncertainty and identifying opportunities for growth in emerging markets. “In the dynamic landscape of our industry, navigating trends, understanding economic forecasts and predicting policy impacts have become pivotal skillsets,” he said. 

Another headline session, OSHA and the New Administration presented by Michael Rubin, Esq., of Ogletree Deakins, examined new regulatory and compliance developments. Rubin provided guidance on maintaining safety and readiness in an evolving enforcement environment.

The workshop also hosted key SC&RA committee meetings, giving members a direct voice in the association’s advocacy and standards initiatives. Sessions included the Safety Education & Training Committee, Labor Committee, Tower Crane Committee and Governing Committee, along with a newly added Permit Policy Committee, which drew significant attention.

“The addition of the Permit Policy Committee this year allows individuals who might not otherwise attend to sit in and learn about the permitting issues within different states,” O’Quinn said. “It’s a chance to share experiences and help shape how SC&RA addresses permitting challenges nationwide.”

The Workshop closed on a reflective note with Near Misses, Lasting Lessons, a panel featuring Bill Green of Bragg Companies, Mike Knott of Phoenix Crane Service, Mike Heacock of Morrow Equipment Co. and Michael Tomaro of Fenton Rigging & Contracting who shared real-world incidents and the lessons they inspired.

“Every incident and near miss provide a valuable opportunity to learn and improve,” said Tomaro. “By sharing those lessons, we can help others avoid the same mistakes.”

Recognizing Innovation

Each year, SC&RA also celebrates engineering innovation through Rigging Jobs of the Year presentations. One of the workshop’s most anticipated sessions, Top This: Showcasing the Year’s Leading Rigging Triumphs, offered attendees a chance to see some of the industry’s most challenging and creative lifts and learn the techniques that made them possible.

This year’s winners included:

• Under $300,000: Barnhart
• $300,000–$1 million: Mountain Crane Service
• $1 million–$3 million: Bragg Companies
• Over $3 million: Barnhart

Focus on Workforce Development

Beyond the main event, the SC&RA Foundation (SC&RF) used the workshop to highlight its expanding workforce initiatives. This year, the foundation introduced two new tools — the Career Pathways website and the Workforce Ambassador Portal — designed to connect educators, students and employers with career opportunities in the crane, rigging and specialized transport industries.

The Workforce Ambassador Program, launched in 2023, continues to grow — now with 48 ambassadors and a goal of 150 by 2026. Ambassadors promote industry awareness through community engagement such as classroom visits, career fairs and jobsite tours. Scholarships and training grants also remain available for vocational students and companies investing in workforce development.

During the workshop, the Foundation hosted an Educator’s Day, inviting 10 Indianapolis-area teachers to meet with industry leaders and experience the career potential firsthand. “SC&RF is helping us tell our story — showing students and educators that this industry offers high-paying, high-skill and high-opportunity careers,” said one Workforce Ambassador.

Trusted Resource

As the industry evolves, SC&RA continues to serve as a center of education, advocacy and networking across 46 nations and more than 1,350 member companies. The Crane & Rigging Workshop remains a vital part of that mission by linking professionals to practical solutions and long-term strategies.

“When attendees leave here, we want them to feel it was worth the time away from the office or field,” O’Quinn said, “and that the information and contacts they’ve gained give them the tools and confidence to keep their careers and businesses moving ahead.”

With its blend of technical insight, professional growth and personal connection, the SC&RA Crane & Rigging Workshop continues to define excellence in the lifting and transport community — one session, one handshake and one shared lesson at a time.