ACEC Hosts Conference On Project Opportunities In The United Arab Emirates Danny Sebright (standing) president of the U.S.-UAE Business Council, provided an overview of the business climate in the United Arab Emirates for members during an ACEC International Committee-sponsored conference this week at ACEC headquarters. Federal experts on international business briefed ACEC members this week on opportunities available for engineers in the United Arab Emirates, at a conference sponsored by ACEC's International Committee. "We're already actively performing on projects in the Emirates, but I took away new and valuable information from today's session," said Jeff Lindsey, president of Alpha Corporation. The Conference featured officials from the U.S.-UAE Business Council, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and law and insurance experts with extensive experience in the UAE. Danny Sebright, president of the U.S.-UAE Business Council provided an overview of the politics, culture and business climate of the Emirates, focusing on the primary centers of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. He also discussed the pros and cons of free trade zones, joint partnerships (with Emirates' agents), and opening an in-country branch office. Department of Commerce officials pointed to the department’s vast range of Internet resources available free of charge at www.export.gov for U.S. firms interested in doing business in the Emirates as well as in 190 other countries. The conference also featured a round-table discussion where participants shared personal experiences on conducting engineering work in the Emirates. For more information on ACEC's International Committee and future business development sessions, contact Melissa Thompson at 202-347-7474 or mthompson@acec.org.

Federal Agency Reps Brief ACEC Committee Members On Stimulus Plans, Other Priorities Representatives from several federal agencies met with the ACEC Federal Agencies and Procurement Advocacy Committee last week to discuss plans for handling stimulus funds and other pertinent issues. Joe Gott and Bill Holley, chief engineers for the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) and the General Services Administration (GSA) respectively, and Bill Miner, design and engineering director for the State Department's Overseas Building office, provided insights on how their respective agencies are dealing with stimulus program timelines, integration with long-term requirements, ongoing work and their progress on plan development. "The quality of information provided by these officials, and the opportunity to engage them directly was outstanding," said Dave Busse of Walter P Moore. Notable was the recognition of the need for integrated design efforts over "systems" installations, when addressing technical issues such as sustainability and the future elimination of hydrocarbon use and overall energy reduction goals. At NAVFAC and GSA, the tight timeframes, limited procurement resources, and need for professional private sector support present major challenges. ACEC's assistance in simplifying and expediting FAR compliant A/E procurement methods will be needed, the officials said. These and other representatives from key federal agencies will present broader presentations on handling stimulus, 2009 appropriations, and 2010 budget funds at the upcoming ACEC Annual Convention. Click here to register.

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Promote Engineering Careers Through Your Schools; Invest In Industry Future Choose Engineering as Your College Major, ACEC's appealing and informative booklet for middle and high school students, is focused on the creativity and accomplishments of engineering professionals. Ideal for use as a leave-behind for career days, school science fairs and in career counseling offices, the booklet directs students to the ACEC website for scholarship and other career information resources, and features links to the engineering programs at more than 350 colleges and universities. Available for purchase in bulk quantities at www.acec.org/education/engineeringcareers/, or contact Mary Jaffe at 202-347-7474. How Will Tax Provisions Of Stimulus Package Affect Your Business? Tax Provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: Practical Implications for Your Business March 12, 1:30-3 p.m. The recently enacted stimulus package, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, includes several tax provisions that will benefit engineering firms. ACEC presents a unique interactive online seminar that will help you learn more about the practical tax implications of the economic stimulus legislation for your business. Marc Gerson and Susan Relland of Miller & Chevalier, the Washington-based firm specializing in tax law and government affairs, will walk through each of the Act's provisions. Registrants earn 1.5 PDHs. For details and to register, click here. Prepare for Firm Sustainability With New Practical Strategic Planning Course Practical Strategic and Business Planning for Engineering Firms April 29-30, Washington, D.C. ACEC presents an invaluable course in strategy development for key members of your firm responsible for strategic thinking and business planning. Practical Strategic and Business Planning for Engineering Firms debuts April 29-30, Washington, D.C., presented by well-known industry experts Rod Hoffman and Gerry Salontai as faculty. This timely course offers a practical hands-on exploration of today's best strategies for staying on course by adapting to unexpected change, in addition to effective implementation techniques and proven planning approaches for long-term firm sustainability. The one-and-a-half-day course will provide new knowledge to increase planning process effectiveness, successful industry case studies, and models for making better business choices. Attendees will earn 11 PDHs for 2009. For details and to register, click here. Business of Design Consulting Is '09 Version Of Basics For Managing To Succeed The Business of Design Consulting: Managing to Succeed in a Challenging Economic Environment March 25-28, Orlando, FL ACEC's Business of Design Consulting: Managing to Succeed in a Challenging Economic Environment course is an intensive, four-day examination and update of every element and function of the successful A/E business in the context of an uncertain and challenging business environment. Content covers the eight key areas of leadership, human resources, contracts, risk management, information technology, finance, business management and marketing, plus real-world examples. For owners, principals, executives, managers and up-and-coming leaders of A/E firms, this up-to-date look at the building blocks of your operation is a cost-effective investment for surviving the current business climate and succeeding in a more competitive-than-ever future. This popular course has a few openings remaining, and attendees earn 28 PDHs. For details and to register, click here. Applying Expertise Course Sold Out—Summer Event Advance Notice Available Applying Expertise as an Engineering Expert Witness Course, March 19-20 in Kansas City, is sold out. To request VIP advance notice of the summer 2009 course encore, e-mail education@acec.org, and note the course title and your preferred e-mail address. 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