This message was sent to ##Email## October 9, 2019 Vol. 49 No. 38          Home  |   About Us  |   Membership  |   Resources  |   Events  |   Contact Us Subscribe  |   Archive    GBA NEWS 2019 Fall Conference in Louisville Conference A Big Success! GBA Conference Program Committee Home run! We hit it out of the park and the 2019 BIG DATA Conference was a BIG SUCCESS! Thank you to all our conference attendees, our volunteer leaders, sponsors, partners, and our staff for an incredible week at GBA’s just completed Fall Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. To welcome us to Louisville, the Kentucky Governor, Mathew Bevin and Mayor, Greg Fisher, issued official proclamations declaring last week as “Geoprofessionals Week.” The conference focused on the fact that BIG DATA Means Big Opportunities for Geoprofessionals. The program was overflowing with valuable insight into how the exponential growth of new technologies is shaping our futures and will compel changes to our business models. This and many other relevant topics were covered over the two days of our conference. Look for NEWSlog video links to the entire conference proceedings next week so you can learn what a record number of conference attendees including, 22 first time attendees and 13 Emerging Leaders saw live! Review the Conference Program Here Crystal Ball Workshop Recap: The Future's So Bright...Right? GBA Emerging Issues and Trends Committee GBA’s Emerging Issues and Trends Committee (EIT) has for many years provided a unique platform for confronting the future business environment in which our enterprises will be engaged. EIT held the latest iteration of its widely acclaimed Crystal Ball Workshop (CBW) series in Louisville, Kentucky on October 2 and 3, 2019 just prior to the Fall Conference. The GBA-hosted CBW was co-sponsored by ASCE’s Geo-Institute, ACEC’s Geoprofessional Coalition, and ADSC (The International Association of Foundation Drilling). The sessions acknowledged that we cannot predict the future but, we can prepare for it by thinking strategically about emerging possibilities. The CBW confronted the ever-growing realization that new technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence will leverage big data to rule the future, but there are specific things you and your firm can do to prepare for the opportunities and threats from this revolution of change. In the coming months, GBA will assess the CBW results and provide suggestions in a GBA Business Brief that geoprofessionals and their firms can use to shape the technological future as the noble leaders we always have been. Teresa Peterson. P.E., C.M.E., (Gannett Fleming, Inc.) treated the Conference participants with an energetic review of the preliminary outcomes from the CBW during the conference. Watch Here: Link to Video Updated Important Information about This Geotechnical-Engineering Report - Updated! GBA GBA has updated one of its most frequently, all-time best-selling resource – Important Information about This Geotechnical-Engineering Report. Some of the language has been modified, at least one new term, is used, one section has been eliminated, and two sections have been modified substantially. Literally millions of copies of the previous versions are in print or virtual print. Only GBA-Member Firms have the right to insert the document “as-is.”. And members get them for free. Stay current and get your copy now! Download Important Information about This Geotechnical report Here Committee Meetings - Where the Work Gets Done! GBA Our committees were hard at work on Thursday before the 2019 Fall Conference began, supporting our motto, “GBA gets stuff done”. If you are not already a member, please join our committees for the ultimate in GBA experience and fulfillment. We can use your help! Contact: Business Practices Committee Chair: Steven K. “Steve” Noble, P.E., PTOE (DOWL) Construction-Materials Engineering and Testing Business Committee (CoMET) Chair: Daniel K. “Dan” Schaefer, P.E. (Froehling & Robertson, Inc.) Emerging Issues and Trends Committee Chair: Bradley M. “Brad” Melocik, P.E., P.H. (DOWL) Environmental Business Committee Chair: Victor S. Barchers, P.E. (Kleinfelder, Inc.) Geotechnical Business Committee Chair: Richard D. “Rick” Heckel, P.E., D.GE (Ardent Geotechnical Consultants) Legal Affairs Committee Chair: Ji Shin, Esq. (Earth Systems, Inc.) Peer Review Committee Chair: Richard E. “Rich” Johnson, P.G., C.E.G., C.H.G. (BSK Associates) More Information About GBA Committees Here NEW GBA Business Brief: Preparing for the Next Recession Now GBA Business Practices Committee No one knows when the next recession will arrive, but most economists agree that another recession is certain. Most also agree that we’re getting closer to the next recession. What can geoprofessionals do now to prepare? Create or Update Your Strategic Plan Strengthen Client Relationships and Increase Your Brand Equity Identify Ways to Increase Cash Availability Examine Your Financial Structure and Results Align Your Corporate Culture with Your Strategy These themes are presented along with practices to deal with the recession once it arrives. The Business Brief focuses on how to help you prepare for and thrive during the next recession. Download Business Brief Here Resilience: Preparing for the Next Economic Downturn GBA Business Practices Committee Economic times are good for most member firms, but history shows us this won’t always be the case. During the 2019 Fall Conference, Lee James, CPA, CBI, CMC® (Lee James & Associates, Inc.) implored us in this presentation to plan and take actions now for a future downturn. Contingency plans and smart actions taken in good times will build resilience in hard times. GBA will focus on resilience and business sustainability for our firms during in the Spring 2020 Conference, April 23-25, 2020. Please save the date. Call for Abstracts Here More Information: GBA 2020 Spring Conference President's 6-Month Address Arthur G. "Art" Hoffmann, P.E., D.GE (Gannett Fleming), GBA President GBA President, Art Hoffman shared the many accomplishments of our Association this year, as we celebrate our golden anniversary. He highlighted events to celebrate the foundation of 50 years and the ways we will build on that foundation as we look to the future. Mr. Hoffmann emphasized GBA is financially healthy and operating within the approved annual budget while replenishing financial reserves. That success comes from the fiscal responsibility of the staff, support of our member-firms, and from the successes in growing our membership. President Hoffmann thanked all the volunteer leaders for their time and efforts and emphasized the importance of Committees to achieving GBA’s mission. He detailed the Board’s efforts to refresh GBA’s Committee structure to engage as many individual GBA members as possible in efforts to work together and have fun while developing high-impact, high-value products and services. In closing, Mr. Hoffmann thanked all for attending the 2019 Fall Conference. The commitment to learning together, collaboration on common issues, networking among peers, and elevating our profession are all important aspects that make our Conferences successful and will ensure the longevity of GBA.  EVENTS Future GBA Events: Mark Your Calendars Now Winter Leadership Summit 2020: January 25-26, 2020 in Denver, Colorado Spring Conference 2020: April 23-25, 2020 at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida Fall Conference 2020: October 22-24, 2020 at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis Hotel, in Minneapolis, MN For more information: GBA EVENTS CALENDAR  BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: Arthur “Art” Hoffmann, P.E., D.GE (Gannett Fleming, Inc./ Harrisburg, PA), 717/763-7211 President-Elect: Kenneth R. "Ken" Johnston, (GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. / Norwood, MA), 781/278-3700 Secretary/Treasurer: Thomas W. "Tom" Blackburn, P.E., G.E., F.ASCE (Blackburn Consulting / Auburn, CA), 530/887-1494 Directors: Saiid Behboodi, P.E., G.E., (PBS Engineering + Environmental / Portland, OR), 503/417-7707 Chuck A. Gregory, P.E. (Terracon / San Antonio, TX), 210/641-2112 Christopher Matthew "Matt" Moler, P.E. (S&ME, Inc. / Greensboro, NC), 336/553-1245 Leo J. Titus, Jr. P.E., (ECS, Ltd. / Chantilly, VA), 703/471-8400 Martin LaRoche, P. Eng, M.Sc. (SNC-Lavalin / Montreal, Canada) Matthew "Matt" R. Poirier, P.E. (Sanborn Head & Associates, Inc. Concord, NH)  INDUSTRY NEWS Words of Wisdom In order to do what you want to do, you have to be around people who are doing it and in places where it is happening. -Ken Coleman (author of the Proximity Principal) during the GBA 2019 Fall Conference NEWSlog Connect with GBA Recent Issues | Subscribe | Unsubscribe | Web Version  GBA Staff: Joel G. Carson, Executive Director, 301-565-2733 (office) | 402-517-1819 (cell) Sara Menase, Program Manager, 301-565-2733  Phillip D. Pettway, Controller, 301-565-2733  Barbara A. Nappy, Program Director, 301-565-2733 (office) | 727-457-2272 (cell) Geoprofessional Business Association 15800 Crabbs Branch Way, Suite 300  | Rockville, MD 20855 | 301-565-2733 | Contact Us  About GBA The Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA) helps its members and their clients confront risk and optimize business performance by delivering unique professional resources, programs, and services that make them stronger, smarter and more successful. Learn how to add us to your safe-sender list so our e-mails get to your inbox. 7701 Las Colinas Ridge, Ste. 800, Irving, TX 75063