To the ACEC community,
We’re using this week’s letter to recap and highlight major accomplishments and progress achieved by ACEC over the past month. February was a good month for ACEC, starting with an overwhelming House vote on HR 7024, legislation to retroactively extend the full deductibility of R&D expenses through the 2025 tax year.
The leadership of the new Workforce Committee met in person for the first time to discuss their vision on the structure and goals going forward, and we co-hosted another Engineering and Public Works Roadshow event with the Mayor of Phoenix that highlighted a critical local water project and the role our industry played in getting it done.
The Research Institute released its 2024 Q1 Business Sentiment study and launched a new study with Virginia Tech to make the case for more lump-sum contracts with our State DOT clients.
On the education side, nearly 100 members of ACEC’s coalitions came together in New Orleans for a successful meeting, our Market Intelligence Group held a briefing on the growing energy market, and ACEC’s four-part AI series was honored by industry peers. Finally, we launched the registration portal for the 2024 Annual Convention with a strong response to date.
More detailed information is below. I hope you find this resource to be helpful:
Advocacy
Secured House passage of HR 7024, legislation that restores the full deductibility of R&D expenses through 2025.
Final rule published that modernizes the H-1B visa lottery to prevent fraud – ACEC made this recommendation in its immigration policy letter to the President in April 2023.
Senate Commerce Committee approved FAA Reauthorization bill that includes ACEC priorities, including increased airport infrastructure funding, grants for resilience planning and PFAS remediation, and measures to advance increased utilization of unmanned aircraft.
ACEC submitted comments supporting a request for information on adding engineers and other STEM professionals to the Schedule A green card process, which would save firms time and money – ACEC also made this recommendation in its immigration policy letter to the President.
ACEC’s Water/Environment and Energy Committees held a joint meeting in Washington featuring speakers from EPA, USDA, GSA and utility market leaders like Southern Company and CPS Energy covering a range of topics such as funding and financing issues, permitting reform, and Build America/Buy America compliance. The meeting also featured remarks from Congressman Garret Graves (R-LA).
Filed comments on behalf of the A/E industry relating to Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), the Dept. of Defense’s long-awaited requirements for federal contractors to ensure their IT systems are secure when doing business with the Pentagon and agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers. Read more here.
Leaders of the ACEC Workforce Committee -- Chair Rodney Chester of Gresham Smith and Vice Chairs Susan Osterberg of Smith Seckman Reid and Orhan Ulger with the 2im Group – held a visioning session in Washington to discuss key priorities centered on attracting new and future workers, retaining and developing the current workforce, and legislative and regulatory priorities to boost the talent pipeline.
Raised over $110,000 for the PAC in February, with a total of $225,000 for 2024; hosted a fundraising reception at the ACEC Residence for Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and a fundraising dinner for Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-TX).
ACEC Research Institute
Released 2024 Q1 Engineering Business Sentiment study.
Delivered Future of Engineering Roundtable: State of the Engineering Economy Q1 2024.
Launched new study on Lump Sum Contracting.
Expanded Scenario Planning for Firm of the Future initiative to include nearly 70 industry leaders from Institute Board, nABLE advisory board and Industry Insights Team.
Approved three new board members to begin their service in April:
Javier Baldor, CEO, BST Global – Affiliate Board Member
Robin Greenleaf, Vice President of Architectural Relations and Strategic Partnerships, IMEG – Fellows Board Member
Andy McCune, President & CEO, Wade Trim – At-large Board Member
New Donors: ACEC Hawaii, Bentley, DJ&A, JMT, Morrison Maierle, and PKF O’Connor Davies
Business Resources & Education
The Women's Leadership Forum opened registration for a two-part virtual series focused on building a path to firm ownership and cultivating an inclusive company culture. Click here to register today and learn more about discounts available to Young Professionals.
More than 250 people attended the joint CASE, NCSEA and SEI virtual Town Hall.
The Winter Coalition meeting took place February 26-27 in New Orleans with 96 attendees, up from 75 last year, and had 6 sponsors, with $30,000 in sponsorship fees and $24,000 in registration fees collected.
The Market Intelligence Group held its first Market Briefing: Intel for Engineers, focused on “The Growing Energy Market.” The next briefing will be held on May 1 and will focus on “Adaptive Re-Use, What’s Next for Office.” Click here to register.
The Energy Market Brief was released on February 13th including research and analysis on spending and trends impacting this sector, business development insight and opportunities and government affairs action. The brief can be accessed here. To receive market intelligence directly to your inbox, subscribe here.
On February 27th the AI in AEC: Business Development & Marketing Transformed four-part online series received a Bronze Trendy Award for eLearning & Live Training. To access this on demand series register here.
Communications
Held a successful Engineering and Public Works Roadshow event with APWA and ASCE in Phoenix, AZ spotlighting the Northwest Valley Water Infrastructure Project – a $125 million water project to support a $12 billion investment in semiconductor manufacturing in the state.
ACEC Welcomed Shreya Jain to the department as our new Communications and Marketing Coordinator.
The Department published a series of new podcasts focused on the incoming ExCom taking office this Spring. Watch our interviews on YouTube and on the Podcast.
Membership and MO Services
The Membership Team instituted Membership Mondays, a monthly online session for new and existing members to review national member benefits and answer questions; the first session will be held March 18th and held monthly. Click here to register.
ACEC Southeast Region held a virtual meeting to discuss Indemnification and Duty to Defend.
Meetings, Exhibits & Awards
Launched registration for the 2024 Annual Convention & Legislative Summitwith registrations are running on pace with 2023; featured speakers include Kevin Kosar, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute; Mara Liasson, National Political Correspondent, NPR; Michael Maslansky, CEO, maslansky + partners; and Justin Wren, Humanitarian, Author, MMA Fighter.
Launched ACEConnects Mentoring Program in pilot phase, which offers one-to-one mentoring relationships leveraging the experience of our industry’s leaders to help future generations learn and grow.
Received record-tying 203 Engineering Excellence Awards entries and selected 16 Honor and 8 Grand Award winners at Judging Event.
Have a great week,
Linda Bauer Darr
President & CEO
American Council of Engineering Companies | ACEC
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