(view our Locate Rodeo 2006 Winners)

ATLANTA, GA - August, 2006 Nearly 100 competitors, from across the United States and Canada, participated in the 5th Annual International Utility Locate Rodeo at Emory College in Atlanta in early August.

The rodeo began in 2001 as a way to recognize the efforts of professionals in the utility locate industry. It has done its job in creating a "buzz" about the industry, said Fiona Bowen, Liaison Manager at Utilities Protection Center (UPC) in Georgia. UPC has taken the lead in putting the event together each year with the help of dedicated volunteers including rodeo coordinator Tim Boatfield, with One Vision Utility Services. Bowen serves as the Event Coordinator for the rodeo handling everything from hotel room blocks to ordering shirts to updating the e-newsletter and other publicity.

To some participants, the event is a type of family reunion that they look forward to attending each year to network and reconnect with friends and colleagues, Bowen said. "Throughout the industry, I have started hearing more about the rodeo," she said. "It takes everyone's "word of mouth" to bring awareness to the event. It also takes coming out to see the rodeo to get a true understanding."

The year, the Common Ground Alliance held meetings prior to the rodeo which gave other national one-call directors and staff a chance to see first-hand what the rodeo is all about. This year, two regional events served as feeder events for the international competition including the Northwest Rodeo in Oregon and the Midwest Rodeo in Illinois.

"There has been a lot of talk about feeder events and that is really great news," Bowen said. "Feeder events help bring more exposure on a local level." Regional winners advanced to the international competition.

Bowen credits the people involved with the rodeo in making it a success throughout the years. "We have amazing dedication from our volunteer rodeo crew," she said. "Tim Boatfield had several people in the industry that got behind him when we started five years ago. They have built a network of people we can count on to show up and get the job done."

Putting on a rodeo involves months of labor intensive work. Boatfield and crew began planning a year in advance. Site selection is the first order of business. The University or site used must have all four utility groups (water, electric, gas and telecommunications) necessary for the competition. Three months prior to the rodeo, Boatfield along with Jay Middleton from Middleton and Associates and Mike Marrero from Consolidated Utility Services, start planning the layout of the event. Boatfield spends the next two months getting the competition wheels refurbished and ready for the big day.

For additional information on the International Utility Locate Rodeo, visit http://www.locaterodeo.com/.