The 2009 Structural Engineers’ Buildings Conference & Expo will be held on Nov. 5-6 at the Swissôtel in downtown Chicago. The fifth annual event is produced by Stagnito Media in association with Structural Engineer. The conference program is finely tuned to deliver the market, business, and technical information critical to the structural engineering profession. Presentations from esteemed industry leaders will share best practices and we invite structural engineering firm leaders, project managers, building code officials, owners, developers, and builders to join in the discussion.

For the fourth year in a row, Charles H. Thornton, Ph.D., P.E., chairman and CEO, Charles H. Thornton & Company and founding principal, Thornton Tomasetti, will chair the event. Thornton has provided invaluable input to ensure a complete and balanced program.

Keynote presentations
The quality of the keynote speakers is a hallmark of the Structural Engineers’ Buildings Conference & Expo and this year is no exception. Fulfilling our themes for 2009, these industry luminaries will discuss finding the bright spots in a down economy, examining your strengths and expanding your services, effective leadership and strategic business planning, and cutting-edge building design techniques and tools in the following keynote sessions:

2009-2011 Building industry outlook: Gradual return to expansion — Jim Haughey, director of economics, Reed Construction Data

This session will provide an overview of the current depressed state of the nonresidential building market and a forecast of market trends for the balance of the recession and the following two years of gradual recovery. The presentation will include detailed data for major types of buildings for the value of both construction starts and jobsite construction spending. The tracking and forecast data will highlight varying trends among regions of the country. The session will also include a review and forecast of significant cost trends for structural materials.

Executive response panel — Moderator: Charles H. Thornton, Ph.D., P.E., chairman and CEO, Charles H. Thornton & Company and founding principal, Thornton Tomasetti

A panel of CEOs and senior executives will respond to Jim Haughey’s 2009-2011 Building Industry Outlook keynote with their take on the market, regulations, opportunities, customers, and internal challenges. Discussion topics will include budgets, service make-ups, entering new markets, diversification strategies, the federal stimulus package and what it means to your business, declining property markets, potential effects of the recession, and what long-term adjustments may be required with the current market conditions.

Creating new architecture: Studies in structural topology — William F. Baker, S.E., C.E., P.E., F.ASCE, FIStructE, Structural and Civil Engineering partner, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM)

Optimal structural topologies — shapes and systems — represent a new frontier in architecture and set a new standard to which we can compare the performance of existing and future structures. Years of in-house research — and inspiration from the century-old concepts derived from A.G.M. Michell — have led SOM’s structural engineers to hone several tools for optimization of structural shapes and systems enabling them to develop efficient structural-architectural topologies. This keynote session will explore the ways in which these studies can be applied to create new architecture for projects ranging from small buildings to high-rise towers and long-span roofs.

Local spotlight: Chicago Spire — Joseph Burns, P.E., S.E., FAIA, LEED AP, managing principal, Thornton Tomasetti

This special local spotlight session will look at the Chicago Spire project. The Chicago Spire has an innovative structural system that is a true integration of architecture and engineering. Santiago Calatrava is the design architect and engineer, and Thornton Tomasetti is the structural engineer of record. The spiral shape of the tower is ideal for improved wind performance and the composite structural frame has optimized the use of a concrete core and steel framing for one of the most significant tall buildings of this century. A unique circular outrigger system that does not require thru core struts and the use of high-strength concrete all contribute to the feasibility of this future landmark. The engineering analysis included a sequential construction analysis of the building with time-dependent material properties to account for the effects of elastic shortening, creep, and shrinkage of the concrete.

Structural engineers: Leaders running things — Richard G. Weingardt, chairman, Richard Weingardt Consultants, Inc.

Today’s world, increasingly dependent on engineering and technology, requires that public, industry, and community leaders understand the complexities and nuances of both. This situation, coupled with the ever-present volatility of global marketplaces and roller-coaster-like economies — plus, an exploding world population, and infrastructure and environmental concerns — demands that honest, pragmatic thinkers be in positions of high leadership and authority. As professionals having such qualities, more engineers need to step forward and be heard — and get meaningfully involved in setting public policy and direction. This closing keynote session will discuss how this can be accomplished and why it’s significant that structural engineers “run things, not just make things run,” within and beyond engineering.

Conference sessions
In addition to the keynote presentations, the agenda includes 14 focus sessions covering relevant aspects of improving your market opportunities, retooling your business, business management, and technical innovation. See page 27 for focus session titles and presenters.

2009 Sponsors and exhibitors
Many thanks to this year’s sponsors: Autodesk and Design Data. These companies provide services unique in the industry and will be available throughout the event to discuss how their products and services can better serve your business.

Open both days of the conference, Nov. 5-6, the exhibit hall — which rings the main conference hall — features displays from a variety of product and service providers to the industry. This unique setting enables meaningful dialogue between the attendees and the exhibitors. As of press time, the following companies will exhibit at the 2009 Structural Engineers’ Buildings Conference & Expo:

• AceCad
• Alpine Site Services, Inc.
• Arcom/MasterSpec
• Autodesk
• CSC, Inc.
• Fibrewrap Construction SE, LLC
• Hilti North America
• Leica Geosystems
• Design Data
• Ram Jack
• RightServe Solutions
• WoodWorks

Networking and professional development
In addition to the technical content, educational sessions, and the expo hall, the 2009 Structural Engineers’ Buildings Conference and Expo provides exceptional opportunities to network with peers and session presenters during the many scheduled breaks, lunches, and cocktail reception.

Special activities include the conference luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 5 sponsored by Autodesk. That evening, a cocktail reception allows all conference attendees to enjoy a casual environment and socialize with colleagues. On Friday, a solution provider luncheon is planned to offer more opportunities for learning from individual exhibitors; and learn more about the topics, presenters, and sessions during the conference.

Each attendee will receive a certificate of attendance indicating the total number of Professional Development Hours (PDH) and Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) received. Attendees may submit this certificate to their respective state agencies for professional credits; however, each state differs and some states may not accept this certificate. Conference attendees participating in all sessions offered during the conference will be eligible for a maximum of 10 credit hours.

Location
We are thrilled to be back in Chicago, the cradle of modern structural engineering, and site of the inaugural Structural Engineers’ Buildings Conference & Expo in 2005. Chicago maintains a strong structural engineering community and we are pleased to be partnering with the local Structural Engineers’ Association of Illinois as well as national organizations including the American Institute of Steel Construction, the National Society for Professional Engineers, and the Steel Joist Institute.

The Structural Engineers’ Buildings Conference & Expo will be held at the Swissôtel, located at the intersection point of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. A block of rooms has been reserved for conference attendees. To ensure availability, make your hotel room reservations directly with the hotel before Oct. 14, 2009; call the hotel directly at 312-565-0565.

Learn more about the Structural Engineers’ Buildings Conference & Expo scheduled for Nov. 5-6 in Chicago — including registration and fees — at www.SEBuildings.com or call 800-466-6275, ext. 246.