Predicting what technology, design trends, and products will affect our profession in the near and long-term future is easier than it may appear. While gazing into a crystal ball may work for some, listening to seasoned veterans and paying attention to recent developments seems much more prudent. During the third annual Structural Engineer’s Buildings Conference and Expo—held last month in San Francisco—structural engineers were given just that opportunity.

Visionaries—including Charlie Thornton, Ph.D., P.E.; Mark Sarkisian, P.E., S.E.; and S.K. Ghosh, Ph.D.—shared their thoughts on what the future holds for the profession. Thornton’s powerful message sung the praises of technology; challenged the attendees to embrace new construction methods, materials, and contracting methods; and urged the industry to improve research and education efforts in the field of structural engineering. Sarkisian challenged attendees to rethink their structural design methodology by looking to the natural world to provide solutions to design efficiencies. And Ghosh enlightened the audience with changes to basic design philosophy that will likely impact how future seismic provisions may be codified.

In addition to the outstanding keynote presentations that addressed the future direction of the profession, the focus sessions were selected for their relevance and ability to address the daily challenges within a structural engineering practice. These sessions covered many topics, including building codes, structural design, new structural systems and components, ethics, risk management, marketing, recruiting, and sustainable design.

Ensuring that the speakers’ messages would not be interpreted as concepts far from being realized, the dozens of exhibitors and sponsors that participated this year educated attendees on new software, design, and construction products, as well as many products that are used currently on every project type across the nation.

By fulfilling the event’s mission—to provide practical, educational, useful information for structural engineering practitioners at all levels—this year’s event was a great success. Roger L. Heeringa, P.E., S.E., LEED AP, a principal at DCI Engineers in Bellevue, Wash., remarked, "I really was impressed with the number of very informative sessions at the Structural Engineers Building Conference. As always, the challenge will be taking some of the great ideas I heard and trying to implement them into our company."

Of course a discussion of trends that are on the horizon for the AEC professions would have to include building information modeling (BIM).

Evaluations from this year’s pre-conference seminar—BIM Fundamentals—solidified our plans to include a similar event at next year’s conference to address the topic’s evolution.

Each year, the Structural Engineers Buildings Conference & Expo improves, and plans for 2008 are already underway. Mark your calendar for Oct. 1-3, 2008, and join us in Atlanta! Visit www.sebuildings.com for updates and details.