The pipeline will deliver petroleum from Canadian oil sands to refineries in the Midwest and Texas and create more than 20,000 engineering, construction, and manufacturing jobs.

In a letter to the Secretary, ACEC President Dave Raymond noted that the project will strengthen the nation's energy security. Click here to view a copy of the letter.

The Senate bill includes $41.1 billion for highways, $10.3 billion for transit, $3.5 billion for airports, $1.5 billion for Amtrak and $550 million for TIGER multimodal discretionary grants.

ACEC continues to champion federal infrastructure investments at the highest possible funding levels.

"ACEC's capable professional staff, well-designed policies and procedures, and effective planning place it among the best managed associations in our experience," wrote J. Andrew Smith, principal of Larson Allen. "In this challenging economic climate, ACEC has preserved its financial health, established a solid foundation for continued progress, and had another successful year.

To view a copy of the Larson Allen letter, click here.

"Our members understand the connection between PAC support and better representation in Congress," said Robin Greenleaf of Architectural Engineers, Inc. in Boston, who is leading the fundraising effort with Dennis Coffey of HNTB in Chelmsford. "Our goal was to get this done now, when candidates need our support most."

For more information about ACEC's political programs, click here.

Conference attendees can also participate in an off-road tour of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

For more information on the tours, click here. For more information on the ACEC Fall Conference and to register, click here.

In De-mystifying the Lost Commandments of Business Ethics, attorney Rich Nelson, Nelson Kinder + Mosseau PC, presents a broad-ranging discussion of business practices involving hidden ethical pitfalls that have resulted in serious problems for well-intentioned people.

Participants will gain new insights into the importance of vigilance in ethical practices, a guide for being proactive in maintaining their firm's goodwill, and a methodology for identifying—and implementing—successful responses to an ethical problem.

Click here to register.

ACEC's practical bottom-line course Essentials of A/E Financial Management and Firm Valuation, November 3-4, Orlando, will reveal how powerful accounting tools can energize Member Firm finances.

Presented by David Cohen, principal, Matheson Financial Advisors, Inc., the course will cover project management financials, income statements, balance sheet development and interpretation, firm valuation, internal ownership transition planning, mergers and acquisitions, and related financial management issues—from ways to increase cash flow to benchmarking against other firms in the industry.

Click here for agenda and to register at early-bird best price.

Sharpen and update the management practices that drive successful A/E firm operations in today's changing business environment.

ACEC's marquee course, The Business of Design Consulting, November 9-12, New Orleans, features industry leading practitioners explaining current best-practices and offering new strategic insights for building a better bottom line.

Curriculum specific to the A/E workplace is presented over 23 hours (with PDHs), including segments on leadership, strategy, planning, performance management, contracts and risk management, finance, business management, ownership transition, and marketing.

Click here for the full agenda and to register at early-bird best price.

Ongoing economic turmoil is challenging leaders of A/E consulting firms on how best to survive, let alone thrive, Gerry Salontai, Salontai Consulting Group LLC, presents Five Traits of Best-in-Class Companies, a revealing look at what successful firms have in common.

Participants will learn the concepts of what these firms do and how they do it—to deliver better success in every category of the business.

Click here for details and to register.

In Writing the Perfect FONSI — Finding of No Significant Impact, Owen Schmidt, former senior counsel at USDA, demonstrates the finer points of a fail-safe technique for writing the perfect FONSI.

This webinar is a must for planners, environmental specialists, project managers, decision-makers, attorneys, and those in related fields who are responsible for preparing or reviewing Environmental Assessments (EAs) and FONSIs.

Click here to register.

A vital part of A/E practice management includes knowing whether it is appropriate for your firm to consider merging with another firm or to entertain a merger offer.

Conducted by experienced industry experts, attorneys Bill Mandel, CPA, and his partner, Laura Howard, MBV Law, Mergers and Acquisitions 101 will detail what a firm should anticipate in the steps leading up to a merger-acquisition. Although every transaction is different, all follow the same process. Understanding the market terms of a merger-acquisition deal in today's economic environment and the process of a transaction is crucial for a firm considering a merger-acquisition opportunity.

Click here to register.