2006 Fall Conference Brochure In the Mail; Special Discounts For Early & Online Registrants ACEC Members began receiving by mail this week the brochure for the upcoming ACEC Fall Conference: The National Conference on the Built Environment, September 18-21 at the elegant Charleston Place Hotel in historic Charleston, S.C. Presentations will cover crucial built environment markets and issues in transportation; water, wastewater and environmental; buildings and industrial process; business management; project management and project delivery; and technology leadership. Joining ACEC as co-sponsors of the Fall Conference are: the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO); the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA); and the National Association of State Facilities Administrators (NASFA). Guest speakers include: Leslie Robertson, who designed some of the world's most famous skyscrapers including the World Trade Center; and John Kasich, the popular FOX TV host and former Congressman. Professional business forums, southern-themed social events, and exciting ACEC/PAC activities including a chance to win a trip for two to the 2007 NFL Super Bowl in Miami, also are highlights. Early bird discounts are available until August 25. Click here to register online and save an additional 5 percent.

ACEC, Industry Urge Senate Action On Asbestos Reform ACEC and its industry allies are urging Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) to act quickly on legislation to reform the flawed asbestos litigation system. The Council joined business, health care, veterans and other organizations in a letter to Senator Frist this week urging quick action on S. 3274, the FAIR Act. Introduced by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Spector (R-PA), the measure seeks to end asbestos-related litigation by creating a trust fund to compensate victims of asbestos-related illnesses. The fund would take in an estimated $140 billion—$90 billion from companies that are defendants in asbestos lawsuits; $46 billion from insurance companies; and $4 billion from trusts established by now-bankrupt companies. Specter held a hearing last month on S. 3274, which is a modified version of the FAIR Act that he introduced in the Senate earlier this year. The major change in Specter's new bill is that it would sunset the trust fund once the $140 billion has been expended, and revert claims back to the tort system. This change was added to address concerns that the trust fund could have become an open-ended liability for the federal government.

ACEC/PAC Sponsors Needed Members can support ACEC/PAC by enjoying a variety of special events at the upcoming Fall Conference: The National Conference on the Built Environment, September 18-21 in Charleston, S.C. This year's ACEC/PAC activities include: a golf tournament at the highly-ranked Wild Dunes Resort; a Fort Sumter Dinner Cruise; a silent auction; and a sweepstakes drawing for a chance to win a trip to the 2007 Super Bowl in Miami—valued at $16,500. Members also can support ACEC's advocacy efforts by becoming a sponsor for one of these exciting activities. Sponsorships help underwrite the cost of ACEC/PAC events and ensure that every dollar raised goes to pro-business political candidates. Sponsoring member firms also receive special recognition at the Conference. Click here for information on all available sponsorship packages. ACEC staff can also tailor a sponsorship package to any need. For more information, contact ACEC/PAC Director Corie Simmons at 202-347-7474 or csimmons@acec.org.

Fall Finance and IT Forums To Be Held September 25-26 Are you a finance or IT professional in the A/E/C industry? These forums offer the chance for finance and IT professionals to network with peers, compare best practices and hear about the latest issues—in a convenient roundtable discussion format. Finance Forum:   Chicago, September 25-26 A two-day session with discussions on budgeting, captives, employee retention, FAS 150, Jobs Creation Act, FAR and OIG audits and fleet policies. Click here for more information and to register. Information Technology Forum:   Chicago, September 25 A one-day session with discussions on patch management, document management, storage area networks, CAD standards/management/training, and business enterprise applications. Click here for more information and to register. August Online Seminars August 9: Get in Shape! Today's Fitness Plan for Your Presentations Joanne G. Linowes, Linowes Executive Development International Click here for more information and to register. August 23: Top 10 Business Trends from ACEC's 2006 Industry Survey Paul Haglund, Greeley and Hanson; Jill Holcomb, ACEC Click here for more information and to register. August 30: Design and Delivery: Using Technology for Better Teamwork Jonathan Knowles, Autodesk, Inc. Click here for more information and to register.

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