House Joins Senate In Approving Tax Plan For Business As Part Of Minimum Wage Bill The House cleared legislation this week to provide business tax benefits intended to offset the impact of an increase in the minimum wage. While not as generous as the $8 billion tax package adopted in the Senate, passage of the nearly $2 billion House bill all but guarantees that the final minimum wage package will include at least some benefits particularly helpful for small businesses. Both bills include an extension of an expensing benefit that permits smaller firms to deduct the cost of qualified assets or property. However, the House bill does not include the ACEC-supported changes in the Senate bill that would make it easier for more firms to take advantage of the tax benefits of being a subchapter S corporation. House and Senate negotiators are beginning work on a final, compromise package to present to the President. ACEC and its business allies will continue to advocate for small business tax relief as the legislative process moves forward.

Exclusive "Concierge" To Serve May Convention-Goers ACEC's Convention Concierge will help attendees discover unique D.C. area attractions such as this market at DuPont Circle. Attendees at the upcoming Annual Convention May 6-9 in Washington D.C. can take advantage of a special new concierge service designed to help them enjoy some of the capital's most impressive and enjoyable features including dining, entertainment, tours and shopping. The "ACEC Concierge" will be staffed by experts to answer questions and provide information for a variety of attractions. In addition, ACEC also offers an easy reference on the "Top 101 Things to Do in D.C." to help Convention participants map out their social activities ahead of time. Click here to view the listing. For a complete lineup of Convention social activities, click here. Other Convention highlights include exceptional speakers such as Chris Matthews, host of the nightly talk show Hardball with Chris Matthews, and Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and TV political analyst George Will. Easy Convention registration is available by clicking here. Register online and receive an additional five percent off the published price*. Bring two people from your firm and receive an even greater registration discount! Make your hotel reservations early by contacting the Grand Hyatt Hotel directly at 202-582-1234. Reference ACEC and receive the discounted room rate of $245 plus tax. ACEC's room discounted rates are available through April 17 or until the rooms in the block are gone, whichever occurs first. * Does not apply to 2nd member price and cannot be combined with any other discounts.

ACEC Member Seal Makes Great First Impression When visiting the website of Albany-N.Y.-based Clough Harbor & Associates, numerous examples of the ACEC-member firm's more than 50-year commitment to quality and service are on display—especially the ACEC Member Seal. "Our website showcases the accomplishments and professionalism of the firm, and we're proud to highlight our membership in ACEC," says Larry Fairchild, the firm's chief engineering and technical officer. "When clients visit our website they see that we belong to an organization known for high standards." To review CHA's use of the ACEC Member Seal click here. The ACEC Member Seal can show all clients and visitors that your firm is part of an organization that has a strong history of promoting excellence in the engineering industry. And, it's free! To download your copy of the ACEC Member Seal, click here, or contact the ACEC Membership Department at pbrookover@acec.org.

New Two-Day Course Examines Design-Build Project Delivery March 29-30, ACEC Headquarters, Washington, D.C. Leveraging the Design-Build Trend: How Engineering Firms Can Profit from Integrated Delivery is aimed at maximizing the bottom line potential of design-build project delivery systems for engineering firms. Designed by engineering professionals, this course is a must for project leaders interested in increasing profitability and expanding their design-build work, and for those new to the delivery system who seek to avoid the pitfalls while achieving its potential. Click here for details and to register. Deadline Looms For Potential Presenters At ACEC Fall Conference Friday, Feb. 23, is the deadline for submission of proposals to present educational sessions at ACEC's Sept. 26-29 Conference in Maui, Hawaii. For submission, Click here .

Online Seminar Probes The Psychology Of Engineering Services Buyers Willing Conversations: The Psychology of Why People Buy Engineering Services, will be presented as a live online course on Tuesday, February 27. Bill Scheessele, president and CEO of MBDi, an international business development company, will examine the "art of business development" to give registrants a competitive edge. Click here for details and to register.

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