Legislative Update
2016 Year in Review
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The 2015-2016 Legislative Session is officially history! Greater transportation funding was the highlight, but to see all the issues affecting engineers, visit the ACEC Capitol Update. Also, for the first time, the ACEC National PAC crested the $1 million mark, putting ACEC in the top 3% of all PACs nationwide! Thanks to all the engineers that supported the state and National PAC in 2016.
The 21st Century Infrastructure Commission finished its work and presented its report to Governor Snyder on November 30, 2016. The Commission Report calls for an additional $4 billion per year to close the investment gap and make badly needed improvements to our aging infrastructure. More than 100 recommendations were made in the areas of transportation, water/sewer, energy and communications.
To view the executive summary or full report, click here.
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Engineers Host Legislative Meet & Greets
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Engineers, Architects and Surveyors have been jointly hosting several "Meet & Greets" across the state with newly elected and returning Michigan legislators. Events have b
een held in Lansing and Grand Rapids and others are planned for Kalamazoo, Flint, Detroit and Oakland County. This is an excellent opportunity to meet your legislator and discuss issues of importance to the engineering community.
Please join your colleagues and plan to attend one of these events. These are NOT fundraisers and there is no cost to attend.
A list of Meet & Greets, including a list of invited legislators, is posted on the
ACEC/Michigan website
.
All Meet & Greets are from 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
W
e ask that you RSVP through the
ACEC/Michigan website
so we know who will be in attendance, as we are often asked by those legislators attending.
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| Grand Rapids Meet & Greet |
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AESLC Legislative Day
March 7, 2017 in Lansing
Design Professionals (engineers, surveyors and architects) will be holding their annual "Lobby Day" on Tuesday, March 7 in Lansing. ACEC, AIA, MSPE and MSPS are collaborating to bring their members to Lansing to meet with legislators and educate them on issues that are important to the professions.
Past Lobby Days have been extremely successful by helping legislators understand the importance of properly funding infrastructure improvements and creating a business-friendly environment in Michigan for practicing engineers, architects and surveyors.
Please plan to attend and bring a few others as we want to demonstrate the strength of our industry in Michigan. Education sessions will also be offered throughout the day for those needing continuing education credits. Legislators will listen to their constituents, so it is important that you meet with your Representative and Senator and make your voice heard.
You also have the opportunity to sponsor the luncheon which will be held at the Capitol Building. Information on the educational sessions and a schedule of events is available on the ACEC website. Registration and lunch sponsorship forms can be downloaded from the ACEC website and submitted to the Kelley-Cawthorne office. The registration deadline is February 21.
FREE WEBINARS:
The Architects-Engineers-Surveyors Legislative Committee will be offering 2 FREE webinars this year to help prepare members for the
March 7 Legislative Day
.
The first webinar will be held on
Friday, February 3 at 12:00 noon
and will cover an overview of the legislative process, why it is important to meet with and talk to your legislators, and proper etiquette for meetings and communication. This is great for those who have never attended and also good for returning attendees. Click here to register for the February 3 webinar.
The second webinar will be held on
Wednesday, February 15 at 12:00 Noon
and will explain the specific issues of importance to the design professional community. We will go in depth into the topics that will be addressed on Legislative Day and provide attendees with an understanding of each issue and why it is important to our members. Click here to register for the February 15 webinar.
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ACEC Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards Gala
March 11 at The Fillmore Detroit
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Join
 us
for the 20
17 Engineering and Surveying Excellence Awards Gala on Saturday, March 11, at The Fillmore Detroit
. The Engineering and Surveying Excellence Awards Gala, an ACEC/Michigan hallmark celebrating its 52nd year, is our chance to honor
member firms for design achievements of superior skill and ingenuity. We will recognize outstanding project
s, h
onor industry leaders, and present scholarships to the next generation of engineering talent. During this special event, ACEC members and their guests will see firsthand the impact engineering and surveying has on our everyday lives.
This year's venue, The Fillmore Detroit, is a beautiful historic theatre located in the heart of Detroit's Entertainment District. It is the perfect, sophisticated place to showcase this event. You are encouraged to invite clients and team members to this special evening as we honor our own.
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MSPE Annual Conference
May 4 and 5, 2017 in Ann Arbor
The MSPE Annual Conference will be held on May 4 and 5, at the Kensington Hotel in Ann Arbor. We have a full slate of professional development seminars, networking opportunities and a vendor showcase. Seminar topics include Emerging Technologies, Innovations for Urban Systems, Alternative Sustainable Power and The Business of Doing Business. Our Keynote speaker will be discussing the Governor's 21st Century Infrastructure Report and what that means for Michigan and for engineers. We will also have a special opportunity to tour the MCity facility where research is being done on autonomous vehicles and the infrastructure to guide them.
A detailed brochure and registration materials will be sent out to members in a few weeks, so watch your email!
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ACEC Scholarship Raffle
Exciting New Prizes This Year!
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Tickets for ACEC/M Scholarship Committee's annual raffle are now available! We have added exciting new prizes this year, including:
1. Florida Vacation - One week stay at a beautiful two bedroom, ocean front view princess condominium on Hutchinson Island. *Travel expense not included. Value: $2,500. Sponsor: Testing Engineers & Consultants and John & Kathy Banicki
2. Winter Getaway - One week stay at Beaver Creek, Ridge Point Subdivision, Colorado townhome. Enjoy one of America's best skiing locations, only moments from your doorstep. Available Week: 11/25/2017 - 12/03/2017. *Travel expense not included. Value: $2,500. Sponsor: Sullivan, Ward, Asher & Patton
3. Mackinac Bridge Tower Tour - The tour will take two people to the top of the north or south tower to view and photograph the beautiful straits of Mackinac and the Mackinac Bridge.
Valid May 1 - October 15, 2017. Sponsor: Mackinac Bridge Authority/MDOT
4. Great Wolf Lodge Getaway - Enjoy a two night stay at the massive indoor water park!
Sponsor: Prein&Newhof
5. Grand Traverse Resorts - $500 gift card to use on discounted rates for a golf or spa weekend. Sponsor: SME
6. Diamond Earrings - $500 value. Sponsor: PCIA.
7. Cabela's Gift Card - $500 value. Sponsor: HRC.
This is the only annual fundraising event for the ACEC Scholarship Program. Proceeds from the raffle go directly to supporting scholarships for college students pursuing a career in engineering or surveying. Your contributions make it possible for us to provide substantial financial support to these hardworking students.
Tickets are $25 each, or 5 tickets for $100, and only a limited number of tickets are printed (odds of winning are good!). If you are able to support our efforts, please visit the ACEC/M website for full details and ordering information.
T
he winning tickets will be drawn at the ACEC/M Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards Gala on March 11, 2017 at The Fillmore Detroit.
You need not be present at the Gala to win.
ACEC/Michigan is planning to award $10,000+ to engineering and surveying students enrolled in an ABET accredited College or University.
Applications are now available on the ACEC/M website,
and are due to ACEC by January 6, 2017. Applicants will be judged on a written essay, their work experience, employer/faculty recommendations, community involvement and their GPA.
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ASCE Scholarship Applications &
Awards Nomination Forms
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The Michigan Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers will again be awarding two scholarships for the 2017-18 academic year. The Mackinac Scholarship in the amount of $10,000 is awarded to a Civil Engineering student entering their junior year ($5,000 for 2 years). The Zuidema Scholarship, in the amount of $1,500, is awarded to a junior or senior student member of ASCE. Click here for more detailed info and the application form. The deadline to submit is Memorial Day.
ASCE MI also presents project and individual awards. Project awards presented include Historic Engineering Landmark, Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement, and Quality of Life. Individual awards consist of Franklin D. Meyers Civil Engineer of the Year and Young Civil Engineer of the Year. All award submittals are due in early April and will be presented during the Michigan Infrastructure Conference on May 18. Updated submission forms will be available on the ASCE MI Section website soon.
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ACEC/MDOT Metro Region Field Engineering Workshop for Consultants
March 30, 2017, Detroit
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ACEC/Michigan is partnering with the MDOT Metro Region to offer a Field Engineering Workshop for all consultants who perform construction engineering services in the Metro Region. The event is scheduled for Thursday, March 30, 2017 at the Doubletree in Detroit.
This year's workshop will be held jointly with MDOT Metro Region staff and will run from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The cost is $70 a person - lunch and materials will be provided. We will also be offering continuing education credits for licensed PE's. A
draft schedule for the day and registration can be found
on the ACEC website.
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MATHCOUNTS is a national middle school coaching and competitive mathematics program that promotes mathematics achievement through a series of fun and engaging "bee" style contests. The 2017 competitions have been scheduled throughout Michigan during January and February, with the State MATHCOUNTS Competition taking place on March 11. MSPE continues to sponsor this program and encourages members to get involved! For a complete schedule of competitions and locations, please check the MSPE event calendar at
www.michiganspe.org
.
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ACEC Affiliate Member - Ayers Basement Systems
Commercial Foundation Specialists
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In business since 1981 and headquartered in Lansing, Michigan, Ayers Basement Systems provides state-of-the-art structural repair products for commercial businesses and industrial buildings. Whether it's a project related to helical piers, push piers, tiebacks, polyurethane injection, concrete lifting, foundation wall reinforcement, or waterproofing, Ayers gives you custom solutions based on your goals and project requirements. Jacob Pleune has traveled the world and become an expert in structural forensics, as well as the wide range of available construction methods. His goal is to determine what needs to be accomplished in order ensure the safety of your foundation and structural projects. If Ayers can help with your commercial projects, call Jake at 616-401-0421 or email [email protected].
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ACEC Welcomes New Members!
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ACEC is excited to welcome these new member firms:
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Michigan Infrastructure Conference
Call for Presentations
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This popular conference, jointly hosted by
the American Co
uncil of E
ngineering Compani
es (ACEC) of Michigan and the Michigan Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), will be held at the Amway Grand Hotel on May 18, 2017.
This program features several thematic tracks, an industry trade show, and a broad A/E/C and private developer audience. The conference focuses on how infrastructure impacts economic development, including emerging or expanding markets, creative leadership, new technologies, and unique solutions developed by practitioners, facility/infrastructure developers and owners.
The Call for Presentation information will be available soon -- watch your email!
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ASCE Southeastern Michigan Branch
2017 Annual Meeting & Awards Presentation
February 25, 2017, Detroit
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Location:
Michigan Science Center
5020 John R Street
Detroit, MI 48202
Agenda:
6:30pm - 8:00pm Welcome/Dinner & Program
8:15pm - 9:00pm Dream Big Movie Premiere
9:00pm - 10:30pm Explore Science Center
Cost:
Reception & Dinner $75/per person
Student Rate $40/per person
Program highlights include:
Dream Big Movie Premier and Tour of Science Center, Award Presentations, 2017/2016 Board of Directors Installation, and Distinguished Service Award.
For questions/information please contact Steve Matheny at 248-977-8652 or by email at [email protected].
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MSPE Scholarship Applications
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MSPE recognizes that an engineering education is the foundation upon which the engineering profession is constructed, and that there is a need for encouragement and financial aid for students pursuing an engineering degree. To support this need, MSPE has established a scholarship program to aid graduating high school seniors in Michigan who have proven a genuine interest in an engineering career, and have chosen to pursue their engineering degree at an
ABET-accredited college or university in Michigan
.
Graduating high school seniors are encouraged to apply for a MSPE scholarship through a local chapter. The application and information is available on our website.
www.michiganspe.org
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ACEC Social Media
Follow Us!
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| Did you know that ACEC is active on social media sites? Please like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and connect with us on LinkedIn to stay informed!  
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2017 SAVE THE DATES
Mark Your Calendar!
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Michigan
Engineering Center |
Questions about engineering?
Please contact:
Ron Brenke, PE Executive Director ACEC & ASCE
517-332-2066
Shada Biabani-Kanine
Executive Director
MSPE
517-487-9388
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