National Demolition Association Annual Convention and Expo in Phoenix, AZ
On February 4-7, 2026, the National Demolition Association Annual Convention and Expo took place in Phoenix, Arizona.
The event attracted more than 1,200 demolition professionals, manufacturers, suppliers, and those interested in the development of the industry.
The Convention’s rich program included educational sessions, presentations, expert panels and demo dialogues. The topics covered: workforce, innovation, safety,
The Expo has become a valuable platform for demonstrating exclusive, cutting-edge demolition equipment.
83 exhibitors were present at the convention centre and at the live demo site outside of the city to meet contractors, industry leaders and other attendees.
90 pieces of equipment, from high reach excavators and demolition robots to all types of attachments and tools, were presented by the participating manufacturers and suppliers.
The demonstrations showcased the capabilities of the equipment in action.
The live demo challenges gave the operators an opportunity to prove their skills and compete for prizes.
The winners of the live demo competition were Chris Wireman from Protech Environmental in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Lance Matheson of Sage Demolition in Layton, Utah.
Setting the industry standard
The Convention keynote session debated workforce issues, focusing on how to attract new talent and developing strategies for staff retention.
Welcoming the audience in his speech on the opening day, NDA president Ben Hayden noted, “The association is making great strides in setting the standard for our industry and elevating the profession. We want to inspire talent while also promoting safety.”
He highlighted the various initiatives the NDA has established to promote learning and development. Among the initiatives is the Workforce Development Toolbox launched last year to provide a structured framework for career progression. Part of the new framework is the NDA certification scheme which offers demolition professionals validation of their expertise and commitment. To date, 121 demolition supervisors and 15 technicians have been certified, and this is an important milestone, Mr Hayden emphasized, because “industry-driven credentials matter.”
Awarding excellence and dedication
According to the established tradition, the winners of the Excellence in Demolition Awards were announced during the gala dinner on the final day.
Honoring significant achievements in the completion of the unique demolition projects, the Convention participants congratulated the 2026 finalists. They are:
Project category 1. The prize is $1 million
Brandenburg Industrial Service Company won the prize for the Buffalo Mountain Wind Farm project in Oliver Springs, Tennessee.
Project category 2. The prize is $5 million
North American Dismantling Corporation won the prize for Continuous Ship Unloader at Kalaeloa Barber’s Point Harbor on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.
Project Category 3. The prize is over $5 million.
Lindamood got the prize for the demolition of the UT Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas.
The Convention provided an excellent opportunity to celebrate the people who have played a key role in promoting the industry.
The NDA Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to David H Griffin of DH Griffin Wrecking Co for the decades of leadership, dedication and lasting contributions to both the demolition industry and the Association.
The Hall of Fame.
Jeffery Carpenter, Homrich Inc, was post-humously awarded for technical excellence, integrity and mentorship. He was the first in the US to operate the Liebherr R9150 and served as lead operator on the Colbert Fossil Plant project.
Neil R LeBlanc (now retired from Caterpillar) was recognized as an advocate for the industry, helping to establish the NDA’s industry council and advance demolition education at Purdue University.
The Michael J. Casbon Safety Awards honored the companies that go above and beyond to protect their teams and set the standard for safety in the industry. The companies that took home this trophy are:
Rachel Contracting,
North American Dismantling Corporation
Brandenburg Industrial Service Company.
For more information about the event, please visit:https://www.demolitionassociation.com/Education-Events/Demolition-Phoenix-2026; https://www.demolitionassociation.com/About/Awards/Excellence-in-Demolition-Awards
By Alex Arlander, Gilbert Castro | ENC News
