Registration is officially open for the 2023 Michigan Infrastructure Conference scheduled for May 11 at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center in East Lansing!
This annual one-day event, hosted by the Michigan offices of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), will provide attendees unique and innovative solutions for a variety of infrastructure projects.
Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist has been invited to share how the administration is addressing critical infrastructure needs now and into the future. Twelve (12) distinct breakout sessions will be offered throughout the day as well as a lively afternoon keynote on “Finding an Extra Hour Every Day: Time & Tech Management Tips for Busy Professionals.”
The newly updated ASCE MI Infrastructure Report Card, regularly referenced by decision makers and the media, will be released and attendees will find out if Michigan is making progress on improving our infrastructure grades.
Exhibitor and Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please visit the ACEC Events Page here to register and obtain more details of the breakouts and speakers.
Sign up now to enjoy discounted early bird registration rates which will end on April 21. Come and network with your colleagues, clients and friends while fulfilling your CEU credit requirements.
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The Michigan Legislature is off for the next two weeks for Spring Break, but have been very busy for the first 3 months of the new session. Governor Whitmer signed bills to repeal Michigan’s Right to Work and restore prevailing wage. She is also expected to sign a package of firearm bills requiring safe storage of firearms along with legislation implementing universal background checks on gun purchases that have been approved by the House and Senate.
On March 7, ACEC/Michigan Executive Director Ron Brenke and President Jayson Nault made an ACEC presentation before the House Transportation, Mobility & Infrastructure Committee.
In the transportation area, HB 4132 and HB 4133 were introduced and received a hearing in the Regulatory Reform committee on March 21. The bill would allow the use of automated speed enforcement systems in work zones to issue tickets for speed violations in excess of 10 mph.
SB 43 was also introduced and is a similar to a bill from last session. The bill would require the use of concrete barriers (or equivalent crashworthy barriers) to be used on freeway lane closures to protect workers from traffic in various situations. Substitute S-1 was passed favorably (28-10) out of the full Senate and it is now headed to the House Transportation, Mobility and Infrastructure committee.
In the water area, SB 88 and SB 89 were introduced and would require each school to develop a drinking water safety plan (within 15months of the bill’s effective date) and to make the plan available to EGLE and the public upon request. SB 88 would require a childcare center to also develop a drinking water management plan similar to schools. By the end of the 2024-25 school year, each school and child care center would need to install filtered bottle-filling stations and faucets in the facilities plan. |
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2023 Engineering & Surveying
Excellence Awards Gala
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The 58th Annual Engineering and Surveying Excellence Awards Gala, an ACEC/Michigan hallmark, was held on March 11, 2023, at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids.
ACEC member firms were recognized for design achievements of superior skill and ingenuity, industry leaders received awards, and ACEC presented $20,000 in scholarships to the next generation of engineering talent.
During this special event, ACEC/Michigan members and their guests saw firsthand the impact engineering and surveying has on our everyday lives.
This year’s most prestigious award – the Engineering Eminent Conceptor Award – went to Bergmann and ROWE Professional Services Company for the I-69 / I-475 Interchange project for the Michigan Department of Transportation. Crumbling road/bridge conditions, traffic backups, and related safety concerns demanded improvements to keep pace with economic growth. Short- and long-term strategies were developed based on inspections/evaluations of existing bridges and roadway systems. Strategy minimized impacts on the community, environment and upgraded the corridor to meet travel demands.
This year’s Surveying Eminent Conceptor Award went to Wade Trim for their TCARP Natural Gas Pipeline Construction Survey for DTE Energy. Working in northern Michigan’s hilly terrain without a reliable cellular network, numerous challenges were addressed to deliver construction survey data with the accuracy and details required for DTE Energy’s $109-million Traverse City-Alpena Reinforcement Project. Survey construction staking and as-built measurements were provided for 23 miles of natural gas pipeline to comply with rigorous requirements for pipeline safety and integrity.
Additional details about each of the award winners as well as the projects entered this year can be viewed on the ACEC/M website.
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William Winiarski, PE, PS |
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This year’s ACEC Felix A. Anderson Image Award was presented to William Winiarski, PE, PS, for his actions and contributions to enhance the image of the profession.
The ACEC Vernon B. Spalding Leadership Award was presented to John J. Hiltz, PE, of OHM Advisors to honor his outstanding leadership roles in ACEC and several community organizations.
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ACEC/Michigan Names 2023 Firms of the Year |
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The American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan (ACEC/M) recently presented the 2023 member Firm of the Year awards to WSP (large firm) and to Cincar Consulting Group (small firm) at the Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards Gala.
This is the highest ACEC/M honor bestowed and the only award program instituted to recognize ACEC/M member firms for their leadership in professional practice and community service. Recognition is based on actions taken by a member firm to progressively develop its management practices and for assuming leadership roles in community outreach activities and ACEC/Michigan programs that strengthen the profession for all members.
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ACEC/Michigan Ethics Webinars |
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ACEC/Michigan will be holding two Ethics Webinars in 2023. The Michigan Professional Engineers Board has implemented changes to the General Rules for Continuing Education requirements for all licensed Professional Engineers. The new Rules require 2 CEUs in Ethics under Rule 339.16040: “Of the 30 hours, at least 2 hours of continuing education must be earned in ethics, as it relates to professional engineering.”
The webinars will be held on:
- Wednesday, April 26 at 2 PM EST
- Monday, September 25 at 2 PM EST
Experienced presenters from AXA XL and PCIA will lead the discussion. Complete details and registration information are on the ACEC/Michigan website.
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Women in Engineering Web Workshop |
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ACEC/Michigan will host a Women in Engineering Web Workshop on Friday, April 28, at 11:00 AM.
According to a 2019 report from the United States Census Bureau, female engineers represent only about 13% of the total engineering workforce today. The Women in Engineering workshop will explore today’s challenges and opportunities to create a welcoming and productive culture, not only for women, but for all. This workshop is open to both men and women.
In this workshop you will learn:
• Today’s challenges of being a woman in engineering
• Today’s opportunities to cultivate an inclusive culture for all
• How to become an inclusive leader
• How to work for a jerk
Maria Gross is the primary presenter, with Tabitha Claus and Jeff Gross supporting. Maria has a Doctorate in Leadership, is a Chemical Engineer and has worked for an environmental engineering firm.
Visit the ACEC/Michigan website to download the event flyer and register to attend. Early bird rates end April 15.
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ACEC/Michigan and ASCE Michigan Section will once again be partnering with construction associations, the Black Caucus Foundation and labor organizations to offer students from the Detroit area an opportunity to learn about careers in the engineering and construction industry. This will be the 12th anniversary of the Construction Science Expo and this year's event will be held on May 9, 2023 at the Durfee Innovation Society in Detroit.
We expect over 1000 middle and high school students to attend. There is an entire floor of the venue dedicated to engineering, and we need your help! For more information, click here.
Your firm can participate in various ways including:
- Sponsorship – various levels are available and help to pay for giveaways, lunch, venue costs, etc.
- Volunteer – we need group leaders and volunteers to help with various tasks for the event
If you have any questions or would like to help, please contact ACEC/Michigan.
We are excited to announce ACEC/Michigan and ASCE Michigan Section will also be partnering with construction associations and labor organizations to offer the 1st ever Lansing Construction Science Expo at the Impression 5 Science Center on October 3, 2023. Stay tuned for more details.
These are just two of the workforce development initiatives that ACEC/Michigan is undertaking to help attract students to our profession.
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ASCE Lansing Jackson Branch Awards Event
The ASCE Lansing Jackson branch will be hosting their 4th Annual Awards and Scholarship event on Thursday, April 20, in Lansing. The featured keynote speaker will be Zach Kolodin, Chief Infrastructure Officer/Director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office. The cost to attend is $10 per person (collected at the door). Corporate sponsorships are welcome (contact ascelanjack@gmail.com by March 31).
To RSVP (required) and for more info, click here. |
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ACEC/Michigan will host the inaugural Water/Wastewater Roundtable on May 2, 2023 at Wade Trim’s Taylor office.
This event will pull together professionals from across our membership to network and discuss important topics to the water and wastewater sectors. After a brief update of ACEC/Michigan activities and issues, we will hold a roundtable discussion on items affecting engineering firms.
Potential topics include, but are not limited to, climate change impacts, stormwater utilities, PFAS, asset management, resiliency, aging infrastructure, and lead service line replacements.
Have an issue or topic you want to discuss? Come join us and let’s talk about it! Be on the lookout for registration details.
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SMPS & ACEC Seller-Doer Workshop |
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This year's Seller-Doer Workshop for Technical Professionals will take place on Thursday, April 13, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon at The Christman Building in Lansing. ACEC/Michigan is excited to partner with the Society of Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) SE Michigan and West Michigan chapters for this annual interactive business development program. We encourage anyone who is involved in marketing and/or business development to attend.
Relationships are the crux of every sale. In this workshop, participants will learn how to appropriately and successfully ask for referrals, ask better questions, learn techniques to further conversations, turn relationships into business, read people better, run productive business development meetings, pivot from objections and stalls, create a compelling company introduction, understand a consultative sales process, and more.
Buliding on our Seller-Doer skills, Kirk Armstrong, Principal of Armstrong Sales Coaching, Inc., will guide participants in learning how to win more clients in less time, while creating a common sales language and culture for their organization.
Register through either SMPS Chapter (based on the side of the State you work from):
ACEC/Michigan Members can register at the SMPS member rate ($65) on either SMPS chapter site. Contact ACEC/Michigan for the promo code.
SEATS ARE LIMITED and this event is expected to sell out, so don't wait to register.
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ACEC National Awards Nominations |
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Young Professional of the Year Award
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2023 ACEC Young Professional of the Year Program. The Young Professional of the Year Award strives to promote the accomplishments of young engineers by highlighting their engineering contributions and the resulting impact on society. The campaign is designed to enhance and improve the image of engineering by recognizing young, diverse and talented engineers, thereby portraying engineering as an exciting profession open to everyone. Each state organization is allowed to submit a maximum of two (2) nominees to ACEC National for award consideration.
Guidelines and the nomination form are available on the ACEC National website. Nominations are due to ACEC/Michigan by April 28.
Community Service Award
This prestigious award recognizes Council members throughout the nation for their community service accomplishments. The award honors those who effectively impact the quality of life in their communities, and who are perceived in their communities as true leaders.
The criteria and application are available on the ACEC National website. Each state organization is allowed to submit a maximum of one (1) nominee to ACEC National for award consideration. Nominations for the Community Service Award are due to ACEC/Michigan by June 16.
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Shadow Team VFX Experts in 3D Render, Animation, Virtual Reality to PRE/POST-CONSTRUCTION Audio-Video route filming solutions, we are working to bridge the gaps in the planning, development, and execution phases on every project with extremely competitive & low prices.
CALLING ALL ENGINEERS to consider utilizing Shadow Team service in various customizable methods:
- Utilize us as your go-to team during the planning phases of the project providing drone captured footage creating seamless blend between 3D concepts to showcase preliminary designs.
- Utilize us to provide Discovery Channel style technical demonstration to enhance visuals for a more realistic view of the project for review, approval and for professional and/or community outreach.
- Engineers can utilize our visualization at any point including the various review stages of the project.
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ACEC/Michigan - New Member Firms |
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ACEC/Michigan is excited to welcome the following new member firms:
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April 13: SMPS ACEC Seller-Doer Workshop
April 20: ASCE Lansing Jackson Branch Awards
May 2: Water/Wastewater Roundtable
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Michigan Engineering News
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