Merriam Webster Online defines improvement as "enhanced value or excellence". Like you, the staff at Structural Engineer is dedicated to making improvements to the way we deliver content to meet the needs of practicing structural engineers. This year is no exception. Especially during what could be a challenging market, our team is working hard to make improvements in all of our offerings—in print, online, and in person—to enable you to enhance the value and excellence you provide to your employer and clients each day. Let me tell you a bit about what improvements we are planning!

First, our team’s most exciting news is that Stagnito Media acquired the Media Group from Zweig White Information Services last month; see page 12 for details. Regarding the acquisition, our new president and CEO, Harry Stagnito, said, "The goal for the company is to grow through media launches and media acquisitions in the industrial engineering, architecture, construction, and infrastructure industries, both in the private and public sectors." Supported by our new management, we expect to greatly enhance the value of our products and offer more to the industry. Our good friends at Zweig White will continue to provide its industry-leading management education, proprietary research, and consulting services for architecture, engineering, and environmental consulting firms—and Stagnito Media will continue to work closely with them in many ways.

One rewarding project on which we are working with ZweigWhite is the Structural Engineer 2009 Best Structural Engineering Firms To Work For ranking. Applications are now being accepted to participate in the seventh annual ranking program; the deadline to participate is April 3, 2009. With many enhancements—including new questions addressing the challenge of maintaining a great workplace in the current economy and the new Best Multidiscipline A/E Services Firms To Work For ranking—this year’s program is invaluable for firms that strive to improve their workplace practices each year, but especially in the uncertain market to come. The final rankings will be revealed at the annual Best Firm To Work For Summit, taking place Sept. 22-23, 2009, at the Embassy Suites in downtown Chicago. To learn how to apply or to find out more about the event, go to www.bestfirmsummit.com.

Another annual improvement project we relish is the annual Compensation Survey. Created to inform you on the subject of compensation, this year’s survey will reflect many of the current realities including pay cuts, salary freezes, or benefit cuts that may be affecting many structural engineers. Hosted on our sister publication’s website, the survey has a category explicitly for practicing structural engineers. The survey will be open throughout February, so log on to www.cenews.com/compsurvey.htm to take the survey today; the results will be published by Structural Engineer in June.

In addition to established programs, our plans for enhancing excellence will include the launch of an online directory of products and services—a searchable guide to all types of software, specified products, professional resources, and more just for structural engineers. We also aim to improve www.gostructural.com to offer more dynamic content including webcasts, microsites, and online channels.

We have high expectations for 2009, all with the goal of serving your needs. Write to me at jgoupil@stagnitomedia.com and let me know what improvements we could make and how Structural Engineer and www.gostructural.com can help you improve.