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Buildings/Land
'Aerotropolis' Emerges as New Trend in Airport Planning
Denver International Airport is setting a goal of becoming a "airport city;" an aerotropolis that would feature not only logistics and trade facilities, but also hotels, retails, museums, schools, and intermeddle connections... click here for more.
Water
USDA Advances Water Quality Conservation Across the U.S.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the launch of a new National Water Quality Initiative that is committed to improving water quality in as many as seven impaired watersheds in each U.S. state and territory... click here for more.
Transportation
Travel Demand Models Prove Effective for Smart Growth
Two San Francisco Bay Area development projects were compared using a traffic engineering methodology of layering Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)-based trip generation volumes over existing traffic volumes and a travel demand modeling strategy... click here for more.
Click here for more News Briefs.
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ACEC Press—Megatrends: The Path to Competitive Advantage
Megatrends: The Path to Competitive Advantage
Chuck Roberts
The environment in which A/E/C firms operate is continually changing, but there are a number of emerging megatrends that will vastly transform the industry over the next three to ten years.
Firms that recognize these trends and incorporate potential impacts in their strategic planning process will gain a competitive advantage and be better positioned for sustainable growth and profitability.
This eye-opening and motivating book reveals megatrends within the A/E/C industry that will shape our future and provides guidelines for capitalizing on these trends. Written in an inspirational style, this book shows how personnel deep within the organization can serve in leadership roles for positive change.
To order, click here.
Check out the sale books at BooksforEngineers.com. Quantities are limited on sale items.
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Compensation, Federal Market Outlook in Online Seminars
ACEC online seminars provide critical business information for Member Firms navigating current market challenges and seeking new business opportunities.
May
17—Today's Biomass Energy Industry: Key Developments Needed for Growth, by James Easterly, Black & Veatch
A look at range of issues and potential for expansion in biomass energy development.
22—Federal Architecture and Engineering Market Outlook, by Kevin M. Plexico, VP, Federal Information Solutions, Deltek
An in-depth look at current A/E market, insights into new procurement opportunities, and trends and issues that will shape the size and direction of the federal marketplace.
24—Understanding Your Key Financial Ratios, by David Cohen, managing director, and Matt Fultz, associate, Matheson Financial Advisors
Gain a better understanding of financial statements and how to use key financial ratios to manage your engineering firm more effectively.
30—The New National Compensation Matrix: Use and Implications for Executive Compensation Analysis, by Dan Purvine, VP, Kimley-Horn and Associates, and Jim Barton, business manager, Simon Wong Engineering
Step-by-step how-to for evaluating compensation using the new National Compensation Matrix (NCM)—a potentially game-changing development in compensation analysis impacting firms of all sizes.
June
5—ESOPs and Why Engineering Firms Love Them, by Robert Massengill, partner, Pilot Hill Advisors LLC
Gain practical understanding of ESOP design, transaction basics, tax advantages and whether the ESOP is suitable for your firm.
6—The Changing Face of Indemnity: Meaner and Uglier, by Brian Stewart, Collins Collins Muir + Stewart, LLP and Colleen Palmer, Beazley Group
How and why recent California legal cases have real potential for serious financial implications for engineering sector nationwide.
12—Engineering Opportunities for Engineers Due to Climatic Change, by Paul Chinowsky, professor, University of Colorado
An overview of an emerging sector that could provide new planning, design and construction for engineering firms.
14—Airport Construction: Federal Policy Changes and Market Outlook, by Jane Calderwood, VP for Government and Political Affairs, Airports Council International—North America
Highlights of key policy and regulatory changes made to federal aviation and capital support programs, airport capital needs, and future market outlook.
19—Accelerate Out of Recession: Six Strategies for A/E Firms, by Mike Phillips, Phillips Architecture PA
Details of the "big six" strategies for improving financial results in an immediate yet sustainable manner in key areas.
20—EJCDC Construction Contract Documents: Key Clauses and New Approaches, by Hugh Anderson, Attorney and General Counsel, EJCDC
An early preview of the new edition of EJCDC C-700 Standard General Conditions for the Construction Contract.
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Senate Approves ACEC-Backed Bill to Extend Export-Import Bank
The Senate passed legislation on Tuesday to extend the life of the U.S. Export-Import Bank for three years and to raise the Bank's loan-guarantee limit from $100 billion to $140 billion. The President is expected to sign the bill.
In a letter to lawmakers last week, ACEC President Dave Raymond urged passage of the bill, stating that the Bank "has become increasingly important to U.S. engineering firms in the global marketplace." Click here to see Raymond's letter.
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How To Determine Reasonable Executive Compensation Under FAR
Dan Purvine |
ACEC's upcoming webinar The New National Compensation Matrix: Use and Implications for Executive Compensation is a must for any firm seeking to meet Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) guidelines.
The webinar, on Wednesday, May 30, 1:30-3:00 p.m., will demonstrate how to use the Matrix to evaluate compensation and how it will affect a firm's bottom line.
Two ACEC members who were instrumental in developing the Matrix, Dan Purvine of Kimley-Horn and Associates and Jim Barton of Simon Wong Engineering, will lead the webinar. Click here to register.
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Call for Nominations for ACEC's Community Service Award
ACEC's Committee of Fellows is looking to recognize the Council's most community-involved Member Firm leaders.
The 2012 Community Service Award recognizes Member Firm leaders who have demonstrated outstanding commitment and service to their local community. Recipients will be honored at the upcoming ACEC Fall Conference in Boca Raton, Fla.
Each Member Organization may only submit one entry. To review the criteria for the award and to download an application, click here. The entry deadline is June 8, 2012.
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ACEC Leaders Focus on Energy and Water Issues with Senator Carper
Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) (left), a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, recently discussed infrastructure issues with ACEC Chairman Ted Williams (center) and ACEC President Dave Raymond on Capitol Hill. |
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Business Opportunities in Green Infrastructure
ACEC's new Green Infrastructure and Sustainable Communities course in Denver, June 25-28, will boost your bottom line in this fast-growing market sector.
University of Colorado's Paul Chinowsky has just joined the expert faculty, which includes Peter Binney, Merrick & Co; Jeff Houk, FHWA; David Stewart, Stewart Environmental Consultants; Mark vanSoestbergen, International Carbon Bank and Exchange; Bill Wallace, Wallace Futures Group; Terry Bennett, Autodesk; and John Williams, Impact Infrastructure. Participants will also tour local sustainable facilities, including the New Belgium Brewery.
Click here to register at the early-bird best price.
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Webinar Outlines Key Requirements for Biomass Energy Industry Growth
May 17, 1:30-3 p.m.
In Today's Biomass Energy Industry: Key Developments Needed for Growth, Jim Easterly, project manager for bioenergy development at Black & Veatch, describes the critical factors for succeeding in this complex market sector and looks at the potential for significant expansion in the near future.
Click here to register.
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Get an Inside Look at FY13 Federal A/E Market, Upcoming Opportunities
May 22, 1:30-3 p.m.
Federal Architecture and Engineering Market Outlook provides an in-depth look at the current A/E/C market and insights into new architecture, engineering, and construction procurement opportunities.
Kevin M. Plexico, vice president, federal information solutions, Deltek, examines the Administration's recently released FY 2013 Federal Budget and what it means for the A/E/C market—including trends and issues that will shape the size and direction of the federal marketplace.
Click here to register.
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Put Key Financial Ratios to Work in Your Firm
May 24, 1:30-3 p.m.
In this practical bottom-line webinar, Understanding Your Key Financial Ratios, David S. Cohen, managing director, and Matt Fultz, associate, with Matheson Financial Advisors, will explain the key financial ratios that drive value such as income statement metrics including utilization, net labor multiplier, revenue factor, and overhead rates and balance sheet metrics like current ratio and average collection period.
They will also address how these financial indicators are derived from financial statements, how to interpret and communicate these numbers, and how to involve and educate your managers and staff, promote ongoing feedback and guide the planning and problem-solving needed to improve these metrics.
Click here to register.
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Is an ESOP Right for Your Firm?
June 5, 1:30-3 p.m.
In the webinar ESOPs and why Engineering Firms Love Them, Robert Massengill, managing director, Pilot Hill Advisors LLC, will talk about the ownership expectations of your firm's next generation of leaders and how the ESOP complements their goals.
Massengill will also discuss valuations and how to evaluate the ESOP in the context of a company's overall retirement plan package for employees. Participants will gain a practical understanding of ESOP design and transaction basics, the various tax advantages and whether or not the ESOP is suitable for your company.
Click here to register.
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Spotlight on Airport Construction Federal Policy Changes
June 14, 1:30-3 p.m.
The FAA Modernization and Reform Act, a four-year, $64 billion bill for federal aviation programs and airport construction projects, will alter the aviation market for engineering firms.
In Airport Construction: Federal Policy Changes and Market Outlook, Jane Calderwood, vice president for government and political affairs at Airports Council International—North America, will highlight key policy and regulatory changes made to federal aviation and capital support programs and the impact on airports. She will also discuss current airport capital needs and the future market outlook.
Click here to register.
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Senior Executives Institute's Class 18 Filling Fast; Register Now
Since its inception in 1995, ACEC's prestigious Senior Executives Institute (SEI) has provided the industry's top leadership program to public and private sector engineers and architects from firms of all sizes, locations and practice specialties.
In five separate five-day sessions over 18 months, participants acquire new high-level skills and insights that facilitate adaptability and foster innovative systems thinking to meet the challenges of the A/E/C business environment.
The next SEI Class 18 meets in Washington, D.C. in September 2012 for its first session. A limited number of slots remain.
For a detailed overview of SEI, click here. To inquire, contact Deirdre McKenna, 202-682-4328, or dmckenna@acec.org.
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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
Gerry Donohue, Editor/Designer |
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