HDD Reunion to Honor 2026 Hall of Fame Class
Published: 12/11/2025
For the first time, the renowned Horizontal Directional Drilling Reunion will be held at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Jan. 28, in conjunction with the annual Underground Infrastructure Conference (Jan. 27-28). The formal recognition and awarding of the 2026 HDD Hall of Fame will be held at a special ceremony during the HDD Reunion celebration.
This’s year reunion will again allow the many veterans and new participants in the remarkable HDD industry to celebrate the technology that has forever changed the way utilities and pipelines are installed. Contractors and related personnel consistently flock to UIC to learn from the industry’s most extensive HDD educational program, “kick the tires” on new equipment, and network with their peers.
Underground Infrastructure (UI) magazine and the Horizontal Directional Drilling Association (HDDA) are the primary sponsors of both the reunion and hall of fame. The HDDA is a technology-focused association dedicated to the growth, professionalism and safe practices of HDD. UI is the leading publication for construction, rehabilitation and asset management of the underground infrastructure.
This highly anticipated event provides a unique opportunity for drillers of all generations to reunite in the perfect environment for HDD networking, education and vision provided by UIC. The show has always been the primary event to support, embrace, educate and share vital information for drillers of all ages, job levels and company sizes and continues that role today.
In addition to the reunion and hall of fame, Underground Infrastructure and the HDDA have partnered to develop powerful educational sessions from Jan. 27-28. Both old and new personnel to the industry will find the information and knowledge they gain extremely useful and immediately applicable to their current work. The event encompasses all those who have participated in the industry throughout the years including contractors, owners, engineers and manufacturers no matter what the rig size, from jumbo to mini units.
In addition to these sessions, on Jan. 28 there will be a special, interactive panel held at Center Stage on the floor of the UIC exhibit hall with the HDD Hall of Fame honorees from 1 – 2:30 p.m. These HDD veterans will recount their careers, tell war stories and answer questions from the audience.
The formal recognition and awarding of the coveted HDD Hall of Fame awards will be included in a special ceremony during the HDD Reunion celebration, held immediately after the exhibit hall closes on Jan. 28. The HDD Reunion will begin at 5:15 p.m.
To register for the HDD Hall of Fame/Reunion activities and/or UIC, go to ui-conference.com. or contact Karen Francis for more information, Karen@undergroundinfrastructure.com, (713) 487-5676. For sponsorship details, contact either Josh Allen, josh@undergroundinfrastructure.com, (832) 922-9018, or Peter Royall, peter.royall@gulfenergyinfo.com.