Indiana 811 Celebrates 8/11 Day
Every year, the damage prevention community celebrates Aug. 11, or 8/11 Day on the calendar, as a natural reminder to contact 811 before any excavation. This year, Indiana 811 recognized the industry holiday with the largest 8/11 Day campaign ever in the Hoosier State, and we hope you were able to join in on the fun! Read on to hear about all of the 811 happenings from damage prevention’s biggest day.
State Fair Total Takeover
Indiana 811 kicked off its celebration of 8/11 Day with a total takeover of the Indiana State Fair. From Aug. 2-18, Indiana 811 and the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) partnered to display 811 educational messages on strategically placed signage throughout the fairgrounds. Indiana 811 logos and other artwork were included on the iconic Indiana State Fair arch, an additional midway arch, sky-carts that transported attendees across the midway, fair shuttles, 811 flags on midway signage, and hand sanitizer dispensers outside agricultural buildings. To further feature the damage prevention message, Indiana 811 also sponsored ground clings, interactive learning kiosks and branded digital assets on the fair website.
As a key highlight of the fair festivities, Indiana 811 and the IURC also commissioned the creation of an extraordinary piece of artwork at the fairgrounds that provided attendees with a remarkable glimpse into how utilities that run beneath the fairgrounds and their neighborhoods would appear.
To create the 3D public art installation, Indiana 811 tapped into the talents of public anamorphic artist Will Schlough to produce artwork that showed a hand-painted representation of the buried utilities beneath a plaza adjacent to a high-traffic area of the fairgrounds. The artwork occurred under a large branded Indiana 811 tent, connecting the artwork to the “Know what’s below. 811 before you dig.” tagline.
The 8/11 Day event led to media coverage on four TV stations in Central Indiana, resulting in 13 unique stories that reached approximately 260,000 people with a media value of $24,240. Check out an example of the TV coverage here!
Taking Indiana 811 Out to the Ballgame!
Baseball fans from all over Indiana were reminded to “Know what’s Below” while attending minor league baseball games at the Indianapolis Indians, South Bend Cubs and Fort Wayne Tin Caps stadiums. In celebration of 8/11 Day, Indiana 811 sponsored multiple games offering unique features at each one, including a dazzling fireworks display, “Call 811” backpack giveaways and interactive game day activities. Throughout the season, Indiana 811 has also displayed 811 signage throughout the stadiums and during the games.
The Icing on the Cake for 8/11 Day
Indiana 811 kept 8/11 Day sweet by delivering numerous cakes to local radio and TV stations and key damage prevention stakeholders, including first responders and local elected officials. Representatives from Indiana 811 and member utilities NIPSCO and Vectren, a CenterPoint Energy Company, delivered cakes to 12 radio and TV stations on Friday, Aug. 9 in four media markets, including Indianapolis, Evansville, Fort Wayne and South Bend.
IPL Lights up the Night
To conclude 8/11 Day, Indianapolis Power & Light Company illuminated the outside of its downtown Indianapolis headquarters with the 811 safety message. Throughout the evening, large crowds in Monument Circle saw the display and were reminded to practice safe digging.
Indiana 811 is On the Air with Tony Katz
This summer, nationally known WIBC radio host Tony Katz partnered with Indiana 811 to remind Hoosiers about the importance of contacting Indiana 811 before any digging project to have their underground utilities marked. Katz showcased his humor and colorful commentary in daily live on-air 811 endorsements throughout August. While being his authentic, witty self, Tony spoke to his weekly audience of over 100,000 to remind them of the safe digging law. Tony Katz recorded 30 live spots throughout his 811 endorsements. Click here to listen to the top five.
Don’t Wait to Save Your Seat at the MWDPTC!
The 2019 Midwest Damage Prevention Training Conference (MWDPTC) is more than a month and a half away, but registrations are already almost sold out! Register today to secure your spot at the 2019 MWDPTC, being held from Nov. 6 – 8 at the French Lick Resort in French Lick, Indiana. Already, hundreds of conference attendees are planning to attend this year’s event to learn about the hottest industry trends during educational sessions, hear speeches from a variety of prominent speakers and network during interactive events such as the annual golf tournament, horseback ride and turkey shoot. Please note, due to overwhelming interest in the 2019 Midwest Damage Prevention Training Conference, the room block at the French Lick Resort is now at capacity. For more information about an additional hotel accommodation option for registrants, click here. Visit www.midwest811conference.com to learn more about all that the MWDPTC has to offer.
What’s Coming Up at Indiana 811
- Indiana Emergency Response Conference (IERC) – Sept. 20, Indianapolis, IN
- Indiana Environmental Health Association (IEHA) Conference – Sept. 23, South Bend, IN
- Sugar Creek Township Fire Department 12th Annual Fire and Life Safety Open House – Sept. 28, New Palestine, IN
- Tri-State 811 Partners in Safety Annual Luncheon – Oct. 4, Newport, KY
- INPAA Meeting – Oct. 8, Remote Meeting
- INPAA Meeting, French Lick Edition – Nov. 5, French Lick, IN
- Midwest Damage Prevention Training Conference – Nov. 6 – 8, French Lick, IN
INPAA CORNER
Partnerships at the Indiana Emergency Response Conference
On Sept. 20, Indiana 811’s Mary Patricia Kindt and INPAA’s Kelli Martin, along with Herbie Cruz, a NIPSCO first-responder trainer, will be presenting a session titled “811/911 Partners in Safety” at the Indiana Emergency Response Conference (IERC). This is the first time INPAA is presenting at this conference marking an exciting partnership with the IERC and local first responders.
Meeting with INPAA
On Aug. 13, INPAA gathered for its bi-monthly membership meeting. Guest speakers included Bill Boyd of the IURC and Tim Friesen from Paradigm.
The last INPAA meeting of 2019 will be on Nov. 5 at the French Lick Resort in conjunction with the 2019 MWDPTC.