ACEC/PAC Supports National Democratic Campaign Committee Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) left, greets ACEC President Dave Raymond. ACEC President and CEO David Raymond met with Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), National Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) at DCCC headquarters in Washington, D.C. this week to present an ACEC/PAC check and discuss the upcoming election cycle. ACEC/PAC set a record for candidate disbursements last year, contributing almost $1 million to House and Senate campaigns, and hosting nearly 50 fundraising events for key Democratic and Republican congressional candidates. For more information on ACEC/PAC, please contact Gregory Knopp, ACEC's executive director of political affairs, gknopp@acec.org, or Elizabeth Coit, ACEC/PAC director, ecoit@acec.org, 202-347-7474.

Participate Now In New 2009-2010 ACEC Industry Trends Survey Be part of the best A/E/C industry market report and receive the results free of charge. Simply complete the 2009-2010 Design & Construction Industry Trends Survey by April 23, 2009 and receive a FREE electronic copy of the survey results—a $399 value. Participants can complete the survey, which was recently mailed to all Member Firms, or click here to take the survey electronically. Termed "the best in the business" by executives of some of the nation's top engineering firms, the ACEC Design & Construction Industry Trends Survey provides current statistics of Member Firm business practices such as financial and employment data, starting salaries, salary ranges, and bonus programs, in addition to profitability, industry trend expectations, insights into emerging delivery methods, IT, and new business practices. Results are classified by firm size, geography, market sectors, services and business focus, and represent an invaluable resource for planning, establishing benchmarks, designing business objectives and decision-making. New sections in this year's survey include design software and sustainable engineering practices. Completed survey questionnaires are due by April 23, 2009. A copy of the survey questionnaire is available online.

Applications Accepted Now For The 2009 QBS Grant Program ACEC is launching its 2009 Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) Grant Program to assist states with their efforts in promoting the use of QBS. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the grant program, designed to support states in the creation of programs to familiarize public owners with the advantages of QBS and broadening the use of QBS among state and local agencies. Since its inception, more than $425,000 has been disbursed to the states. ACEC is joined this year by the American Public Works Association (APWA), the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) to establish a grant pool of $25,000. Each Member Organization has recently received grant applications which are due back to ACEC by May 29. In addition, states that have previously hit the $20,000 cap on grant funds are now eligible to re-apply for new grant funding. ACEC's QBS Awards Program is also accepting nominations for recognition of both public and private organizations that make exemplary use of the QBS selection process at the state and local levels. Nominations for this year's awards should be submitted by March 27. Click here for more information about the QBS Grant Program and for a grant application. Click here for a QBS Award Program nomination form.

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Increase Your Planning Effectiveness—Prepare For The Future With April Course Practical Strategic and Business Planning for Engineering Firms April 29-30, Washington, D.C. ACEC presents an invaluable course in strategic 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., and is presented by well-known industry experts Rod Hoffman, formerly of HDR, and Gerry Salontai, former CEO of Kleinfelder. 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. Recognize 'Red Flags' of Industry Model Contracts With May Course Recognizing the Snares and Pitfalls in A/E/C Industry Contracts May 28-29, Philadelphia This one-and-a-half-day course will equip your firm's engineers, architects, project managers, contracting officers, specifiers and others to avoid risk, with important up-to-date knowledge in critical contract areas. Sessions will cover two dozen key provisions in model contracts that are vital to recognize and understand in protecting your business and maintaining your firm's professional standards. Presenting faculty are James C. Brown II, Vice President, Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., and Justin L. Weisberg, Arnstein & Lehr LLP. Attendees earn 11 PDHs. For details and to register, click here. Still Time To Register For '09 Business of Design Consulting, Orlando The Business of Design Consulting: Managing to Succeed in a Challenging Economic Environment March 25-28, Orlando, FL A few openings remain for the March 25-28, Orlando, FL presentation of ACEC's Business of Design Consulting: Managing to Succeed in a Challenging Economic Environment. The four-day course provides an intensive examination of the successful A/E business in an uncertain and challenging business environment. Content covers the eight key areas of business management, finance, marketing, risk management, contracts, leadership, human resources, and information technology in a real-world A/E context. For details and to register, click here. Developing Future Leaders: Best Practices and Lessons Learned for Growing 20- to 35-Year-Olds Developing Future Leaders: Best Practices and Lessons Learned for Growing 20-35-Year-Olds March 24, 1:30-3 p.m. Leaders in many engineering firms are challenged—and sometimes baffled—by the apparent differences in values and goals within the 20- to 35-year-old demographic, as they struggle to maximize their young talent. Geordie Aitken, Aitken Leadership Group and Michael Baker, David Evans and Associates offer new insights and strategies through case studies to illustrate how to slow the "brain drain" and provide a professional environment in which future leaders will thrive. Earn 1.5 PDHs. For details and to register, click here. Follow-Up! The (Misunderstood) Heart of Business Development and Positioning March 25, 1:30-3 p.m. A strong follow-up process is vital to business development success, and Lynne Waymon, Contacts Count, offers new insights into the rules and tools you need for creating, cultivating and capitalizing on networking relationships and opportunities. You'll learn how to move through six stages of relationship building, how to handle the three key moments in networking, how to follow up appropriately and how to demonstrate the character and competence that makes others want to work with you and your firm. Earn 1.5 PDHs. For details and to register, click here. Sales & Marketing Forum Sets May 14-15 Meeting ACEC's Sales & Marketing Forum is joining other ACEC special interest Forums to schedule its first free-standing meeting, May 14-15 in Orlando. The group originally met regularly under the umbrella of ACEC conferences and conventions. An idea exchange event for firms' sales, marketing and business development staff, the Forum is also a unique opportunity to network and address industry challenges. Discussion topics announced for the upcoming meeting include marketing and sales in a declining economy, go and no-go decisions and discussions, lead tracking software, proposal debrief workshop, plus topics of mutual interest that arise. The Forum is open to ACEC members and non-members. For 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