Dispatcher Course | Dispatch 101
May 5 – 6, 2025 | Fort Lauderdale, FL
Cost: $1,200 member | $1,550 non-member | note pricing varies when bundled with other courses
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Course Dates:
May 5 – 6, 2025
Course Schedule:
May 5 (day 1): 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
May 6 (day 2): 8:00 am – 3:30 pm
Note: Lunch will be provided each day.
Course Venue Details:
Venue Name
The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort
321 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
Phone: 954-467-1111
Website: The Westin Ft. Lauderdale Beach Resort
Parking Information
Self-parking and valet parking is available and the current rate for both options is $58/daily. Electric car charging stations are available and are subject to availability.
Hotel Information:
Hotel
NRMCA has contracted a discounted room rate of $239/night plus applicable taxes for a single/double room at The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort.
The cut-off date for the discounted room rate is Monday, April 21, 2025, or whenever the room block sells out, whichever occurs first.
Reservations can be made online by clicking here.
Travel Information:
Nearest Airport
The closest airport is Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and is located approximately 6.2 miles from the host hotel. The second closest airport is Miami International Airport (MIA) located 32 miles from the host hotel.
Transportation Options
Airport to Hotel:
The hotel does NOT provide shuttle service to/from the airport. There are multiple transportation options including Lyft and Uber. To schedule SuperShuttle or shared ride transportation, please contact SuperShuttle directly at 1-800-258-3826.
Rental Car:
Enterprise and National are extending special rates to NRMCA Members. As rental car pricing continues to fluctuate, NRMCA has negotiated a special Member rate through our partners at National/Enterprise Car Rental. The NRMCA Member Rate may be used for any scenario – personal travel, work travel – any time you need a vehicle. Register for a FREE Emerald Club account to skip the lines at the airport and go straight to your car!
National Reservation Link: https://bit.ly/NRMCA_National
Enterprise Reservation Link: https://bit.ly/NRMCA_Enterprise
Or use contract code: XZ16HE7 when making a reservation
Note: these links may be shared with friends & family.
Additional Tips:
Weather
The average temperature in Ft. Lauderdale in May is 81 degrees during the day and 76 degrees at night.
Dress Code
Business casual.
Cancellation Policy
Full cancellation refunds, less a $125 administrative fee, will be extended until Monday, April 14, 2025. All cancellations after Monday, April 14, 2025, will not be refunded. Fee cancellations cannot be transferred to a future class. Substitutions can be made at any time with no penalty. Registration cancellations and substitutions must be made in writing to: [email protected].
NRMCA reserves the right to cancel this event. A class confirmation, confirming the course will run as scheduled, will be sent via email no later than COB, Monday, April 14, 2025. It is advisable not to book your airfare (unless it’s fully refundable) until you receive the class confirmation. In the unlikely event the class is cancelled, NRMCA will refund the entire registration fee, but is not responsible for airline or hotel reservation fees. You are responsible for making and paying for your own hotel and travel arrangements.
Code of Conduct: https://www.nrmca.org/about-nrmca/
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Course Description
To quote Jim Wagner, author of The Handbook of Ready-Mixed Concrete Dispatching, “The job of a dispatcher is to provide an agreed-upon service level to the customer, while operating within cost constraints set by the company.” But ask any dispatcher and they’ll tell you, “Somehow it’s a little more complicated than that.” This course offers a dedicated forum for Dispatchers to learn from, and with, each other about the demands of the position, common challenges with order-taking, fundamental mechanics of scheduling, adopting technology to help improve performance, and managing the stress of the position. This course is taught on iPads.
Course Learning Objectives
After attending Dispatcher 101, participants should be able to:
- Summarize a basic history and the current state of the ready-mixed industry.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental responsibilities and basic mechanics of the Dispatcher’s job.
- List and explain solutions to common problems and challenges of the Dispatcher’s job.
- Describe how technology may improve productivity and efficiency.
- Share ideas for managing tensions and dealing with colleagues in stressful environments.
Course Schedule
May 5 – 6, 2025
May 8 – 9, 2025
November 17 – 18, 2025
November 20 – 21, 2025
Who Should Attend
- New dispatchers
- Dispatchers looking to improve
- Anyone interested in dispatch
Course Instructor
Ron Robertson