With the exception of its founding, organizational meeting in 2003 at the long-gone, T-Bonz Steakhouse in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, the PDCA South Carolina Chapter has regularly met each quarter (with the exception of the COVID year), at the Town and Country Inn & Suites hotel on Charleston's Savannah Highway, until now. The first 2024 Quarterly Dinner Meeting of the Chapter had been scheduled to take place the evening of February 8th at the standard venue, however, just hours before members were to gather for networking, Chapter business, and a program from Adam Jarrett of Assured Partners, a complication materialized with the reservation at Town and Country.

Expecting to preside over his first, formal meeting as Chapter President, Kent Parker acted swiftly, and within 30 minutes of learning about the scheduling snafu, he had arranged an entirely new venue and concept for the attendees, several of whom traveled from out of town for the event. And with an assist from Jason Moore, a past Chapter president and current board member who utilized all available communications tools to help spread the word about the last-minute meeting change, Pres. Parker convened members promptly at 6:00 PM for a Chapter happy hour at the nearby Freehouse Brewery. There, they enjoyed an evening of networking, beer, pizza, and even some competitive bar trivia. 

Among the attendees was Harry Robbins, the now-retired pile driving veteran from South Carolina's Lowcountry, who is also responsible for founding the Chapter 21 years ago. As a testament to Parker's lightning-fast improvisation and recovery of the scheduled event, Robbins complimented the change in venue and concept and eagerly engaged in opportunity to reconnect with old friends and develop new ones.


Though it wasn't the original plan, PDCA members and attendees of the South Carolina Chapter Happy Hour appreciated the opportunity to visit with friends and industry colleagues in the casual, welcoming environment. The Chapter leadership thanks event sponsors: Koppers, Nucor Skyline, Jinnings Equipment, Gerdau, Junttan USA, Palmetto Pile Driving, Inc. ICE - International Construction Equipment, Van-Smith Concrete, and Beacon Transportation, for making Chapter events possible.

The next event for the PDCA of South Carolina happens in March when it presents the biennial Driven Pile Technical Seminar. The one-day educational program features several technical presentations from deep foundations professionals, and it offers PDH credit. There is still time to register for this popular and enriching event which takes place March 14th at the Holliday Alumni Center at The Citadel. For more information and registration details, CLICK HERE.