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Home > News and Events > News > News Detail
10/1/2020
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I had not intended to devote this column to the upcoming ACI Concrete Convention, but the closer we get, the more appropriate it seems. Before I launch into that discussion, I want to pause and comment on the September issue of CI and the article starting on p. 18 that describes the creative ways that our chapters around the world are continuing to operate in spite of the pandemic. Our creativity is being demonstrated in the many ways that we continue to operate and to reach our members. I especially want to congratulate the Concrete in Latin America group, represented by Arturo Gaytan Covarrubias and Alejandra Valencia, for sponsoring several seminars that attracted 1000 to 2000 attendees. In many cases, we are engaging more members and potential members by using virtual meeting and webinar platforms. As you may know, the ACI Concrete Convention, scheduled to be hosted in Raleigh, NC, has been converted to a virtual event. The decision was made months ago to allow time to prepare a comprehensive virtual convention experience. Our incredible staff has been working with that goal in mind, and we plan to host the ACI Virtual Concrete Convention on October 25-29, 2020. Although I was looking forward to visiting Raleigh and seeing many of you in person, I am excited about the comprehensive convention that we will have, including committee meetings, technical sessions, networking events, and awards celebrations. Committee meetings: Every ACI committee that wants to meet will be able to do so. To date, we have 347 confirmed meetings. Committee Chairs will start their meetings using instructions provided by ACI staff, and registered committee members and attendees will join these meetings through the web link provided in the convention app. If you have any questions, contact Alex Prokic, alex.prokic@concrete.org. Technical sessions: A total of 52 technical sessions will occur from Sunday through Thursday. For a complete listing of sessions, visit www.aciconvention.org. Opening Session and Keynote Presentation: On Sunday from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. EDT (UTC − 4), the opening session can be accessed through the web link provided in the convention app. Please plan on attending this event. I will address you, but, more importantly, we will have a gifted speaker who will talk about philanthropy. I look forward to seeing you there. Concrete Mixer and informal opportunities: The virtual Concrete Mixer is scheduled for Tuesday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. EDT (UTC − 4) and will provide time to meet fellow attendees and to break out into smaller groups. Also during the convention, a number of "virtual hallways" will be available to see who you can "run into." Nothing can replace the informal interactions that occur at all conventions, but we are trying to provide the next best alternative. ACI’s newest generation (and many of their university mentors) are digital natives, so we expect record attendance at our Student Networking Event, Student Forum, Young Professionals Meeting and Networking Event, and Faculty Network Event. ACI Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards: The show will go on! All registered convention attendees are invited to celebrate the best global concrete construction projects at ACI’s sixth annual awards program. Sponsored by Advancing Organizational Excellence (AOE), this free event will feature high-energy video footage during an engaging virtual program, followed by the opportunity to break into groups and have conversations with project teams and attendees. Registration: Here may be the best news—the fee for a member to attend is only $49, and the event is totally free to ACI’s student members. This represents a significant value, especially when considering the high-caliber speakers and industry leaders who will be sharing their knowledge with us all week. To register, please go to www.aciconvention.org. I’ll be honest with you: this is not how I envisioned my year as your ACI President. Nothing can replace the "convention experience" and the ability to visit, dine, and, yes, drink with all of you. The current situation makes me even more appreciative of the opportunities to have attended past conventions. But this decision is out of our hands, so our choices are to complain or make the best of it. I chose the latter and I look forward to seeing all of you online. Someday this will all be over, and we will meet again in person at ACI’s Concrete Conventions. Jeffrey W. Coleman ACI President
I had not intended to devote this column to the upcoming ACI Concrete Convention, but the closer we get, the more appropriate it seems. Before I launch into that discussion, I want to pause and comment on the September issue of CI and the article starting on p. 18 that describes the creative ways that our chapters around the world are continuing to operate in spite of the pandemic. Our creativity is being demonstrated in the many ways that we continue to operate and to reach our members. I especially want to congratulate the Concrete in Latin America group, represented by Arturo Gaytan Covarrubias and Alejandra Valencia, for sponsoring several seminars that attracted 1000 to 2000 attendees. In many cases, we are engaging more members and potential members by using virtual meeting and webinar platforms.
As you may know, the ACI Concrete Convention, scheduled to be hosted in Raleigh, NC, has been converted to a virtual event. The decision was made months ago to allow time to prepare a comprehensive virtual convention experience. Our incredible staff has been working with that goal in mind, and we plan to host the ACI Virtual Concrete Convention on October 25-29, 2020. Although I was looking forward to visiting Raleigh and seeing many of you in person, I am excited about the comprehensive convention that we will have, including committee meetings, technical sessions, networking events, and awards celebrations.
Committee meetings: Every ACI committee that wants to meet will be able to do so. To date, we have 347 confirmed meetings. Committee Chairs will start their meetings using instructions provided by ACI staff, and registered committee members and attendees will join these meetings through the web link provided in the convention app. If you have any questions, contact Alex Prokic, alex.prokic@concrete.org.
Technical sessions: A total of 52 technical sessions will occur from Sunday through Thursday. For a complete listing of sessions, visit www.aciconvention.org.
Opening Session and Keynote Presentation: On Sunday from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. EDT (UTC − 4), the opening session can be accessed through the web link provided in the convention app. Please plan on attending this event. I will address you, but, more importantly, we will have a gifted speaker who will talk about philanthropy. I look forward to seeing you there.
Concrete Mixer and informal opportunities: The virtual Concrete Mixer is scheduled for Tuesday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. EDT (UTC − 4) and will provide time to meet fellow attendees and to break out into smaller groups. Also during the convention, a number of "virtual hallways" will be available to see who you can "run into." Nothing can replace the informal interactions that occur at all conventions, but we are trying to provide the next best alternative. ACI’s newest generation (and many of their university mentors) are digital natives, so we expect record attendance at our Student Networking Event, Student Forum, Young Professionals Meeting and Networking Event, and Faculty Network Event.
ACI Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards: The show will go on! All registered convention attendees are invited to celebrate the best global concrete construction projects at ACI’s sixth annual awards program. Sponsored by Advancing Organizational Excellence (AOE), this free event will feature high-energy video footage during an engaging virtual program, followed by the opportunity to break into groups and have conversations with project teams and attendees.
Registration: Here may be the best news—the fee for a member to attend is only $49, and the event is totally free to ACI’s student members. This represents a significant value, especially when considering the high-caliber speakers and industry leaders who will be sharing their knowledge with us all week. To register, please go to www.aciconvention.org.
I’ll be honest with you: this is not how I envisioned my year as your ACI President. Nothing can replace the "convention experience" and the ability to visit, dine, and, yes, drink with all of you. The current situation makes me even more appreciative of the opportunities to have attended past conventions. But this decision is out of our hands, so our choices are to complain or make the best of it. I chose the latter and I look forward to seeing all of you online. Someday this will all be over, and we will meet again in person at ACI’s Concrete Conventions.
Jeffrey W. Coleman
ACI President
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