International Bridge Conference to be held in June
The 27th annual International Bridge Conference (IBC), sponsored by the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania (ESWP), is scheduled for June 6-9, 2010, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. New in 2010 is the strategic partnership between the ESWP and the Washington, D.C.-based American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). The two organizations have worked together to develop conference curriculum focusing on bridge financing and regulations, new project delivery methods, and safety to help increase participation of highway and bridge contractors and public officials. The event typically attracts more than 1,600 bridge owners and engineers, senior policy makers, government officials, bridge designers, construction executives, and suppliers from throughout the United States and abroad.

Workshops offer focused sessions on specific topics at no additional costs on all three event days. Some of this year’s workshops include “Bridge Owner Program Forum,” “Galvanize Your Bridge,” “Traffic Management and Workzone Safety,” and “Project Delivery Methods.”

Seminars are being offered on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at an additional cost of $125 each. They are four-hour intensive courses providing an in-depth focus of continuing education on a variety of topics. Professional Development Hours (PDH) are available upon request. This year’s seminars include “Load Rating of Gusset Plates,” “Earth Retention,” “Domestic Tunnel Scan,” “Micropile Applications,” “Design and Installation of Drilled Shafts,” “Dynamic Testing and Analysis of Bridge Foundations,” and “Use of HEC-RAS for Hydraulics and Scour Analysis.”

A new twist for 2010 is the larger exhibitor’s hall, where more than 200 exhibitors are expected to display their wares, discuss their services, and be available for questions. There will even be space for large equipment to be on display for close inspection. For increased networking opportunities, all Technical Sessions will be located in rooms within the exhibit hall itself. This will allow plenty of time for exhibitors and conference attendees to interact between sessions and during coffee breaks and lunchtimes.

Additionally, the annual Student Paper Competition is available to all graduate and undergraduate civil engineering majors who attend an accredited college or university. The winning paper will receive a $1,000 fellowship, complimentary conference registration and hotel, and travel allowances to attend the 27th IBC. It will also be considered for inclusion in the published proceedings and for presentation at the conference. Student competition papers must fall within one of the IBC Technical Session Topics listed at on the conference Call for Papers. Students only must author the papers; papers co-authored by faculty advisors are not eligible. An international committee of engineers and academics will judge the papers.

Visit www.internationalbridgeconference.org for more information on this event or to register.

AIA National Convention on deck for June in Miami
The 2010 AIA National Convention: Design for the New Decade is scheduled for June 10-12 in Miami. The conference will focus on how the global economy of today is redefining the engineering and design professions. The convention will offer several keynote presentations, preconvention workshops, seminars, tours, and exhibits. Keynote speeches include: Daniel Pink on “Building Design for the New Decade: The Role of Right-Brain Thinking in a Modern Economy;” Chris Jordan on “Community Design for the New Decade: Consumerism and Responsibility;” and Peter Bohlin, FAIA, on “Global Design for the New Decade: A Discussion with the 2010 Gold Medalist.”

If you can’t make it to the Miami this year, you can still attend the conference online. You can choose from more than 30 seminars live or on-demand. Learn more about the virtual conference or register to attend the event in June at www.aia.org

Pacific Coast Builders Conference event scheduled for June
The Pacific Coast Builders Conference (PCBC), also called “The Show,” is held each summer in San Francisco’s Moscone Center. The event, scheduled for June 9-11 this year, will feature hundreds of exhibits and three days of conferences, forums, speakers, and workshops. The Show is hosted by the California Building Industry Association.

The Show is accompanied by another portion of the PCBC event: PCBC Presents. PCBC Presents is a family of conferences and events held throughout the year, which are designed to elevate the dialogue in the industry and to explore new perspectives.

To register for The Show or to learn more about either portion of the PCBC experience, visit www.pcbc.com