Register now for the 44th Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique. It will be held Jan. 28 - 31, 2018, at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio Hotel in San Antonio, Texas.

As many as 1,600 blasters, manufacturers, government officials and suppliers will gather from all over the world to gain new insights and form new business alliances. Participation will be strong as the largest conference of its kind in the explosives industry visits San Antonio for the first time.

The 2018 program includes a dynamic education program featuring technical sessions, poster session and workshops combined with more than 130 exhibits on the latest technology. In addition to the full conference, the Blasters Weekend Package, commencing on Saturday, Jan. 27, will include the popular Blasters Training Seminar, the Blasters R Us Video Roundup, a regulatory panel discussion and more.

We’re moving! As first reported in the March/April issue of the Journal of Explosives Engineering, we’re relocating about five miles northwest of our current digs, after our neighbors Nestle Corporation purchased our property to expand their headquarters.

Remodeling of our new home kicked off in September and is speeding right along. The project is slated to wrap up within the next several weeks, and we’re expecting to be completely moved in by April 2018.

We're now accepting video submissions for the Blasters R Us Video Round Up. Submit your 5 to 7 minute video today, and be part of the wildly popular showing during the Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique.

To get started, download a submission form and submit it to wahl@isee.org. Once your form has been processed, you will receive a link to upload your video. The round up will take place during the 43rd Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique held this year in Orland, Fla.

The deadline to submit your video is Monday, Jan. 8. Submit yours today.

For the first time ever, the SEE Education Foundation is taking its annual fundraiser, the SEE Education Foundation Auction, online. This is an exciting development for the SEE Education Foundation. The auction will feature the traditional preview sheets at the annual conference and items will be available for viewing at the gala reception. However, bidding will take place on the auction website. The auction is open to members, industry professionals and supporters around the world. The online bidding process includes out-bid notifications so you won’t lose out on your favorite packages and the checkout process will be faster and easier.

Good news if you haven't had a chance to submit your photos of a recent blast or jobsite to the 25th annual photo contest: The deadline has been extended to Friday, Jan. 5. Get your submission in before the deadline for a chance to win a $500 gift certificate to the ISEE Bookstore.

The contest has categories for blasters and drillers at work; construction blasting; quarrying and mining; demolition blasting; and specialty blasting. All submissions will be judged on composition, content and quality.

Attached is a PHMSA letter to Mr. Tom Dunaway, longtime ISEE member and president of Tom Dunaway and Associates, Inc., Reference No. 16-0182 in response to a Nov. 3, 2016, "Request for Clarification" letter he sent to PHMSA.

In summary, the response states that after July 5, 2017, a shipping paper may no longer display the packing group (PG) II designation for those Hazardous Materials Table (HMT) entries changed in HM-218H.
Effective July 5, 2017, you would be in violation if you display the PG II designation for Class 1 explosives on your shipping papers. Anyone receiving a violation prior to July 5, 2017 can challenge it by using the Data Q.
Please refer to the link below to view the PHMSA letter Reference No. 16-0182.

Have you recently worked on a project that focuses on fragmentation by blasting? This is your chance to get your research published.

Submit your paper today, including tables, graphics and images. Be sure to state the name of the paper and the purpose of publication in the journal when submitting. The publisher or the editors-in-chief can supply relevant instructions for preparing your manuscript if you have any questions. They can be reached via email at blastfragsubscriptions@isee.org.

About the Blasting and Fragmentation Journal
Edited and reviewed by expert researchers, industry professionals and academics, Blasting and Fragmentation presents contemporary analysis of engineering practices as related to explosives application to rock. It is published twice a year.

If you're attending the annual conference, and haven't made sleeping room reservations, call the Grand Hyatt San Antonio at 1-888-421-1442 or book online at www.isee.org under Hotel and Travel. Please be sure to mention ISEE to receive the conference discount rate of $210 single/double. Do not delay in making your reservations because the hotel is expected to sell out early. Your help is needed in keeping meeting costs down by reserving your sleeping rooms at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio.

The room block deadline for reservations is Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018.

As the leading professional association for the explosives industry, we want to help you advance your knowledge and career through education, regulatory training and professional networking. Whether you’re a student, an industry professional, or representing an organization, being part of the ISEE community will help you to achieve your goals.

Please renew your ISEE membership for 2018 to continue your access to these exclusive tools including:

1. Networking opportunities with 4,000 colleagues and industry leaders
2. Access to the Explosives Reference Database Online, a $1,200 value
3. Special annual conference pricing
4. A complimentary subscription to the Journal of Explosives Engineering
5. Exclusive pricing at the ISEE online bookstore
6. A complimentary listing in the ISEE Membership Directory and Desktop Reference

Did you know the ISEE has an online career center that offers discounts to members looking to post jobs? Whether you’re a student looking for an internship or a business looking for a seasoned professional in the explosives industry, the ISEE job board, located at the ISEE website, is a great way to get noticed.

And one of the best parts is that it’s free for job seekers. Upload your resume today to get the attention of job posters or browse the job board for the latest openings. Visit the career center now.

Jan. 4-6, 2018
St. Charles, Mo.

Jan. 17-18, 2018
Beaver, Penn.

Jan. 28-31, 2018
San Antonio, Texas