Knoxville is hosting the Tennessee Chapter of American Public Works Association (TCAPWA) Conference, which includes a state competition equipment rodeo open to public viewing at 640 Blackstock Ave. at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 8.

The state conference is held Nov. 7-9, bringing an estimated 250 public works professionals and vendors from across the state to Knoxville this year.

“The TCAPWA Conference is always a great chance for public works professionals to have a meeting of the minds and brush up on some of the latest techniques and equipment in the public works industry,” said Chad Weth, Director of the City’s Public Service Department.

Registered attendees will attend education sessions held at the Holiday Inn World’s Fair Park, though separate events will be off-site at the KUB pump station, Neyland Stadium and the City’s new Public Works Service Center.

“It has been over 10 years since Knoxville hosted this event, and we’re excited to show some of our own assets,” said Weth.

The City’s award-winning Public Works Service Center located on Morris Avenue, completed in 2016, provides office space to 325 public works employees and boasts energy-saving features, such as a geothermal heating and cooling system.

At the equipment rodeo on Wednesday, public works professionals from across the state will demonstrate their skills with heavy equipment and compete in various events. The rodeo’s events include use of a wheel loader, backhoe, knuckle boom, skid steer, gradall, and garbage truck.
Public viewing of Wednesday’s rodeo is encouraged, and there will be no cost to attend.
The participants in the rodeo won in their local municipality competitions before moving on to the state level.

The City of Knoxville’s 2017 local equipment rodeo winners were:

Backhoe
1st Place Terrance Prater Jr.
2nd Place Dewayne Cole

Garbage Cart Loader
1st Place  Christopher Webster
2nd Place  Danny Hickey

Skid Steer                           
1st Place Elie Muncey
2nd Place Isaac Ogle

Gradall
1st Place Cody Russell
2nd Place James Edwards

Wheel Loader                       
1st Place Terence Prater Jr.                                     
2nd Place Christopher Webster

Knuckleboom
1st Place Gary Alexander
2nd Place Britt Newman

Throwball
1st Place Kenneth Dockins
2nd Place Isaac Ogle

Lawnmower Race
1st Place Elie Muncey
2nd Place George Evans Jr.
 
For more information on the TCAPWA Conference, visit www.tennessee.apwa.net.