Shared Publication

IFCEE 2021 efficiency and ability. Members and guests who attend the conference will engage in a first-rate experience to further their goals in the deep foundation industry. It goes without saying that everyone has experienced a worldwide heath crisis over the last 12-plus months – IFCEE represents one of the first opportunities for industry leaders to return to an in-person event. When all is added up, IFCEE 2021 will be a phenomenal experience. What are your thoughts on how we can collaborate more as an industry and what the benefits are? The more we can collaborate and cooperate, the stronger we make our overall industry, and the partner organizations have been on the path of increased collaboration for the last several years. That is being done not just with conferences but also with guidance documents, shared publications and cross-referencing each other’s resources. We’re fortunate that the executives in place at each organization have a willingness to work together, and that is something that has taken shape over the years; the organizations over time have become much more open to collaboration, to the benefit of everyone. There is a lot of overlap in membership amongst the four organizations, so when we work together, our members can accomplish more during their limited volunteer time. We value what our members desire and collaborating allows us to utilize the strengths of each organization to help members throughout the entire deep foundation construction industry. What do you like about cooperating with the other partner associations for an event like IFCEE? What’s challenging about managing what may be different objections and priorities? Working with the IFCEE partners provides a broad reach opportunity that helps make the show a success. IFCEE gives the partners an opportunity to come together on a triennial basis to coordinate an event that no one partner could manage on their own. There is strength in numbers. We end up with lots of great ideas for different types of content delivery and conference activities because we’re all coming at it from a different perspective. It’s always challenging to find compromise but it’s rewarding when it all comes together in the end. We each remain open to suggestions and ideas, vetting out each proposal and choosing that which benefits the most people. From your perspective, what have participants gained in the past and what can they expect in 2021, both as attendees and exhibitors? IFCEE has been providing a one-stop event every three years where geo-professionals from all over the world can convene, discuss and debate the very specific topic of deep foundation design and construction. This year will be no different – the technical programs are timely and significant. Amidst the pandemic there is a strong desire to exchange information and continue to advance the profession. Having the outdoor exhibit area allows the attendees the ability to get up close and personal with the machinery, ask lots of questions in a relaxed atmosphere and build business relationships and often friendships. (It’s also worth mentioning that there are more equipment vendors committed than in previous years!) How can attendees and exhibitors get the most out of their time at IFCEE? Any thoughts on “what not to do?” IFCEE is a wall-to-wall event. That is to say that there is something scheduled throughout each day to help create a productive experience for attendees. Be selective about the things that will most benefit you – participate in those things that directly affect your business and customer base. Map out your daily schedule to ensure efficiency in time spent traveling between sessions and exhibits, and include downtime to network with fellow attendees. The biggest value of any event is networking – leave your hat at the door, disregard your competitive side and look at the industry as a whole. The audience at IFCEE comes from all facets of the industry; take advantage of that immense opportunity to connect. Michael D. Moore ADSC The International Association of Foundation Drilling Theresa Engler DFI Deep Foundations Institute Brad Keelor G-I Geo-Institute of ASCE Frank Peters PDCA Pile Driving Contractors Association IFCEE TECHNICAL PROGRAM COMMITTEE Technical Program Chair Muhannad T. Suleiman, Ph.D. , Lehigh University Technical Program Committee & Proceedings Editors: Tugce Baser, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · Tracy T. Brettmann, P.E., D.GE, A.H. Beck Les Chernauskas, Geosciences Testing and Research Inc. · Peggy Hagerty Duffy, P.E., D.GE, ADSC Chadi El Mohtar, The University of Texas at Austin · Stacy Kulesza, Kansas State University Mary Ellen Bruce Large, P.E., D.GE, Deep Foundations Institute · Anne Lemnitzer, Ph.D., P.E., University California, Irvine · Alec McGillivray, Precast Piling Technology · Morgan NeSmith, Berkel Helen Robinson, GEI Consultants · Jeff Segar, Braun Intertec Anna Sellountou, Pile Dynamics · Michael Venezia, ECS Limited Muhannad IFCEE Chair Lehigh University over 125,000 sq. ft. of equipment, products, supplies, and much more! Mark your calendar to attend IFCEE and visit ifceexpo.com for more information! Collectively, 66 | ISSUE 2 2021 www.piledrivers.org /ifceexpo.com /www.piledrivers.org