Do You Know What You Don't Know? Take The Industry Trends Survey To Find Out Want to have the latest A/E/C industry market information at your fingertips free of charge? Simply complete the 2007-2008 Design & Construction Industry Trends Survey questionnaire that was recently mailed to all Member Firms, or use the link below to take the survey electronically. Do so by January 15 and receive a FREE electronic copy of the survey results—a $400 value. ACEC's Design & Construction Industry Trends Survey provides current statistics on Member Firm business practices, finances, profitability, and emerging trends. The survey not only presents basic financial and employment data, but also important facts on current management concerns, project delivery, and key legislative trends to provide a detailed industry picture. This information is invaluable for strategic planning, marketing, human resources, financial planning, and firm operations. If you did not obtain the results of last year's ACEC Design & Construction Industry Trends Survey, here's a sample of what you missed: Leadership transition is one of the most pressing concerns for participating firms—but 36 percent of firms do not have a written transition plan. QBS, liability and standard of care, diversification, IT and computer modeling, and alternative delivery systems are the five most important practice issues for Member Firms. More than 50 percent of respondents cited the lack of qualified engineers and employee retention as critical concerns for their firms in the next five years. To receive a FREE electronic copy of the new 2007-2008 Design & Construction Industry Survey, simply complete and return the questionnaire recently mailed to all Member Firms. Or complete the questionnaire online by clicking here. For further information, please contact Jill Holcomb, manager, Education Technical Support, jholcomb@acec.org.

Pre-Register Now For 2007 Annual Convention; Lowest Discounts Available Until December 31 ACEC's Annual Convention takes place May 6-9 in Washington, D.C. Significantly reduced pre-registration pricing is available only until December 31. Known as the engineering industry's premier advocacy event, the Convention features key political speakers, Capitol Hill visits, advanced issue education, a wide variety of business education sessions and outstanding social events. Other Convention highlights include the 41st Annual Engineering Excellence Awards Gala on Tuesday May 8. Known industry-wide as the "Academy Awards" of engineering, the annual black-tie affair recognizes major engineering achievements by Member Firms from across the nation. Convention pre-registration pricing (expires Dec. 31): Member Registration: $875; Non-Member Registration: $1,300 Guest/Accompanying Person Registration: $325 *Discounted price cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts. Click here to register at the lowest possible convention rates available! For more information contact meetings@acec.org or visit www.acec.org.

House Clears ACEC-backed Water Reuse Bill The House of Representatives passed water reuse legislation this week, just prior to adjournment for the year. The More Water and More Energy Act of 2006 (H.R. 5110), sponsored by Congressman Mark Udall (D-CO), enables the reuse of water produced during the extraction of oil or natural gas resources. This "produced" water can be reused beneficially in agricultural and industrial applications. ACEC Environment & Energy Committee member, David Stewart of Stewart Environmental Consultants, Inc. in Fort Collins, Colorado testified in support of the legislation during House Resources Committee hearings in September. While the Senate is not expected to act on the measure prior to adjournment, the broad, bipartisan support for the bill is an indication that it may receive quick approval in the new Congress in 2007.

Final Passage Of Key Spending Bills Put Off Until 2007 The House and Senate passed a "continuing resolution" this week that will keep key federal transportation, environmental, and other federal construction programs funded through February of 2007. While House and Senate Democrats take over the leadership of both institutions in January, negotiations will continue over the holidays to reach final agreement on the spending bills for the coming year. Final passage of the F.Y. '07 Transportation-Treasury appropriations bill is particularly critical. The authorized $3.5 billion funding increase for state departments of transportation under SAFETEA LU cannot go forward without the final appropriations bill signed into law. ACEC has alerted the incoming Speaker of the House, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), of the need to finish the appropriations bills early in 2007. The Council will be working with its industry allies over the next several weeks to accomplish this goal, and to lay the groundwork for the next round of spending bills for 2008.

Get Last-Minute '06 PDHs With The Dec. 13 "Green Products" Online Marketing Seminar; Register Now For Early January Events Online seminars are highly focused, one-and-a-half hour learning sessions presented by professionals from leading firms, delivered in real time through internet access and telephone audio. Participants earn 1.5 PDHs, and a single fee covers one participant or an entire room of individuals. An Engineer's Guide to Marketing a Green Building Practice Jerry Yudelson, Interface Engineering, Inc. December 13 One of the nation's leading experts presents the inside view on best practices for marketing green products, design and construction services. This online seminar will include case studies to identify core principals and client/customer needs. Click here for more information and to register. The Business Case for Sustainable Engineering Bill Wallace January 10 Click here for more information and to register. Identifying Future Leaders Dan Ryan January 17 Click here for more information and to register.

Register Now For '07 Business Of Design Consulting, Set For March In Portland, Ore. Business of Design Consulting March 7-10, Portland, Ore. The Business of Design Consulting (BDC) program is unique in the A/E industry. This intensive four-day program offers engineering firm executives and managers state-of-the-art expertise of leading practitioners who specialize in the A/E environment. An engineering firm president who attended the most recent BDC in Las Vegas praised the seminar as: "Outstanding! This program should be required for all A/E firm leaders and decision makers... A wealth of useful information… Well-planned, well-executed, well worth the time." Click here for more information and to register.

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