Engineering Influence from ACEC

The June Economic Update from ACEC

Welcome to ACEC’s June economic update. Each month, ACEC’s Erin McLaughlin analyzes the latest industry data and provides insights for the engineering and design industry.  Here are the top 4 things you need to know: Number 1 — Despite rising interest rates, Housing prices are up 20.6% year-over-year according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Index, the most significant year-over year-increase since tracking began in 1987. Number 2 — Total design and construction spending was up more than 12% this April, compared to the same time last year, according to the US Census Bureau. It remains driven by private residential spending which up over 18%, and private non-residential up more than 10%. Number 3 — The five hottest markets for the first four months of the year are up compared to same time period last year are manufacturing, commercial, residential, conservation and development, sewage and waste disposal.   Number 4 — The coolest markets for the first four months of the year are down compared to same time period last year. The five coolest markets are public safety, lodging, religious, educational, transportation — as defined by the Census Bureau which does not include highway and streets. There you have it. The economic update series is one of ACEC’s resources for media and members. For a deeper dive, check out the full video on YouTube and all of ACEC’s popular Private Industry Briefs. To learn more about ACEC’s full slate of private market offerings visit our website at ACEC.org. Thanks, and we’ll see you again next month.    

A Conversation with Victor Insurance, an Exhibitor at the 2022 Annual Convention and Legislative Summit

We sat down with Victor Insurance, a long time ACEC sponsor and exhibitor to discuss how their services help the A/E marketplace.  Please visit their website to learn more at https://www.victorinsuranceus.com

Why You Need the EJCDC

We sat down with Kevin O'Beirne, National Manage of Engineering Specifications for HDR and the Chair of ACEC's Contract Documents Committee to discuss the Engineers Joint Contract Documents Committee (EJCDC®), which produces the highest quality standard documents specifically written for infrastructure projects in the United States.  EJCDC contract documents are time tested and regularly updated.  As an ACEC member you can purchase these documents at a discounted rate through our bookstore on acec.org.  Learn more about EJCDC here.  

A Conversation with CASE: The Coalition of American Structural Engineers

We sat down with Brent White from ARW Engineers, the outgoing Chair of the Coalition of American Structural Engineers which represents more than 200 structural engineering firms dedicated to making structural engineering a fair, profitable, and robust industry. CASE offers SEs the opportunity to further develop their businesses through shared best practices, reduced professional liability exposure and increased profitability. CASE is the recognized authority in the SE industry and the leading provider of risk management and business practice education and information for structural engineering firms.  Learn more about the CASE Coalition here. 

A Conversation with Joe Romano about ACEC’s Coalition of Professional Surveyors

We sat down with Joe Romano with Langan at the 2022 Annual Convention to discuss the Coalition of Professional Surveyors, one of ACEC's seven Coalition groups specifically designed to bring leaders in the built environment together by specialization to share information, best practices and more.  Coalition membership is an important aspect of ACEC membership.  More information on the COPS Coalition can be found below: Coalition of Professional Surveyors:   WHO WE ARERapid change, competitive pressures, and tremendous advancements in technology and software are changing the way professional surveyors do business. COPS represents professional surveying/geospatial engineering firms looking to strengthen the industry image and business environment by advancing quality professional geospatial services – turning challenges into opportunities. WHAT WE DOCOPS helps members create, maintain, and transform their survey component into a healthy, bottom?line revenue producer. COPS maintains established relationships with both NCEES and NSPS, and represents surveying issues on ACEC’s outreach and advocacy agenda. WHY YOU SHOULD JOINInformative education sessions tailored to the unique needs of surveying firms – as well as an influential national network of industry leaders and peers – will help to keep you up to date and in the know. Membership benefits include: Education sessions and materials specifically tailored to surveying firms Business practice documents focused on managing and reducing your risk Issue advocacy with Coalition to Save our GPS An invaluable network of surveying and geospatial engineering professionals with vast knowledge and experience to uncover new business opportunities, as well as troubleshoot issues and share best practices Quarterly meetings to share information and ideas Information sharing forums at the ACEC Annual Convention and Fall Conference Connect with COPS members online through the COPS LinkedIn group Free, 24/7 access to the Seven Baselines of Business Practices – our valuable flagship publication

Our Conversation with Nicole Malachowski, first female Thunderbird pilot

Allison Schneider sat down with Nicole Malachowski, a combat veteran and the first female pilot for the Air Force's Thunderbird aerial demonstration team after she spoke at our 2022 Convention and Legislative Summit.  During the conversation, Nicole discussed leadership, the importance of the "wingman contract" and how it extends to  engineering firms and more.   

A Conversation with Autodesk at the Annual Convention and Legislative Summit

We sat down with Autodesk to discuss the evolution of digital project delivery and how the engineering industry is adopting this technology on projects of varying complexity to achieve greater outcomes for their firms and projects.   

A Conversation with Adam Steltzner, Chief Engineer NASA Mars 202 Mission

We spoke with our Monday session speaker at the 2022 Annual Convention, Adam Steltzner, the Chief Engineer for the NASA 2020 Mars Mission.  During his compelling presentation, Adam talked about the importance of imagination and perseverance to push the limits of what we can do.  We extended the conversation with a podcast after the session ended.  Don't miss this great interview.