ACEC-Supported Bridge Legislation Receives Senate Committee Approval The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works also approved ACEC-backed legislation this week to improve the nation’s bridge inspection, rehabilitation and repair programs. The National Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act (H.R. 3999) authorizes an additional $1 billion for Fiscal Year 2009 for the Federal Highway Administration’s Highway Bridge Program. The House of Representatives passed the bill in July. The legislation includes a key Council recommendation that requires the Department of Transportation to develop a new risk-based process for bridge inspections and repairs. The bill also includes an ACEC-backed provision requiring bridge program managers and key team leaders to be state-licensed professional engineers. It is uncertain whether the full Senate will take up the bill prior to adjournment. If not, it is expected that this legislation will be included in the broader SAFETEA-LU reauthorization bill due for consideration next year.

Don’t Miss Out On Discounted Fall Conference Registration/Hotel Rates An autumn view of Montreal. Early Bird discounts on registration and hotel rates for the upcoming Fall Conference in Montreal, October 19-22, will end on Monday, September 29. Click here by September 29 if you haven’t registered for the Conference and save $100 per person. The Fall Conference features several exciting sightseeing tours of Montreal—one of the world’s most popular travel destinations and one of only three worldwide cities to receive the UNESCO “Cities of Design” distinction for excellence in economic and social development through innovative design.

Quebec City The popular Local Color Night will feature a reception, banquet and legendary cirque performances throughout the evening. For the perfect post-Conference experience, register now for the “Discover Quebec City” post-conference tour—October 22-25—featuring a train ride to Quebec City; lodging at the famed Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac; and two breathtaking city excursions. For complete Conference information and to register click here.

ACEC Hosts Top Level Chinese Engineering Delegation For Market Discussion ACEC President Dave Raymond briefs Chinese industry and government leaders at Council headquarters. ACEC hosted a delegation from the China National Association of Engineering Consultants (CNAEC) this week to discuss industry issues in China. The 46-member delegation, comprised of Chinese industry and governmental officials, also wanted to learn more about ACEC’s role in influencing U.S. government policy. ACEC Chairman John Hennessy and President Dave Raymond welcomed the group, along with ACEC International Committee Chairman Bill Howard. Staff members briefed the visitors on ACEC’s government advocacy programs and QBS. CNAEC officials discussed the progress of their 15-year-old organization to enhance their own programs and influence in their country. Commenting on the engineering challenges her country faces in developing its western regions, CNAEC Vice Chairman Tang Ping stated, “We want partners,” and expressed interest in attending future ACEC events to promote this effort.

ACEC Retirement Trust Member Firms Can Save On IRS-Mandated Restatement Process The IRS has announced that retirement plan sponsors must complete a plan document restatement to incorporate the provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (EGTRRA) into the firm’s retirement plan. Firms that participate in the ACEC Retirement Trust and who use the prototype document sponsored by Prudential Retirement (the plan provider for the Retirement Trust) will enjoy the benefit of a NO-COST restatement. This is just one of the many ways that the purchasing power of the ACEC Retirement Trust allows firms to save money on retirement plan administration. Your firm may have recently been contacted by your retirement plan provider to talk about the provider’s restatement process and the associated fee. Depending on the type of document your retirement plan uses, this fee could range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Plans that utilize a prototype or volume submitter document must complete the restatement by April 30, 2010. Plans that utilize an individually designed document follow a restatement schedule based on the last digit of the employer’s EIN (employer identification number). To find out more about the potential cost savings and other benefits of participating in the ACEC Retirement Trust, please contact Nancy Barrette, Managing Director - Investments, Wachovia Securities, LLC, at 800-521-9463 or via email at nancy.barrette@wachoviasec.com.

Early Bird Cut-Offs For October Forums Coming Up; IT Still Available Open to ACEC members and non-members, these highly popular Forum events cover timely topics of interest to the engineering firm’s non-engineer specialists. Registrations are still being accepted for the upcoming IT Forum, October 6-7, Chicago. Early bird cut-off for best-price registration for the HR Forum, October 27-28, Kansas City, is September 26. For the Professional Sales & Marketing Forum, October 19, Montréal, the early bird date is September 22. Responding to growing interest in specialized training and development within A/E/C firms, ACEC will convene the first meeting of a new Education Forum on October 19, during the 2008 Fall Conference in Montréal. The new Forum will follow the successful structure of ACEC’s other specialized professional groups, utilizing a roundtable format to optimize peer interaction. Register by Sept. 22 for best price. For details and to register, click on the Forum of interest.

Limited Openings Still Available For Business Of Design Consulting The Business of Design Consulting September 24-27, San Antonio, Texas The upcoming session of this popular course taking place Sept. 24-27 at the Grand Hyatt, San Antonio, has a few slots still available for last-minute registration by engineering firm executives and managers looking to update practices in every area of their A/E business. Sessions follow a logical sequence of critical day-to-day management topics. Attendees learn through focused discussion, application, exercises, and interactive workshops. Completing the course earns 28 PDHs. For a course brochure, agenda details and to register, click here.

The American Council of Engineering Companies 1015 15th St., NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20005-2605 Phone: 202-347-7474 - Fax: 202-898-0068 www.acec.org - E-mail:acec@acec.org Alan D. Crockett, Director, PR • Ann Brandstadter, Editor/Designer