Call/Submission 2010

Call for Presentations and Session Ideas

Download the Call for Presentations

You are invited to share your experience and expertise with your colleagues at the upcoming ASCE 140th Annual Civil Engineering Conference, October 21-23, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Submit a proposal for a session presentation or a pre- or post-conference workshop or seminar. Submissions should focus on the Conference Theme and topics consistent with the list published in this document. Other engineers will benefit from your experience and you will be making a valuable contribution to the industry.

Take advantage of this opportunity to:

Share your company’s best practices and successful programs with your colleagues;
Network with colleagues from around the world; and
Increase your visibility in the engineering arena.

Essentials For All Proposals

Submission Information DEADLINE: Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Proposal Submission must be:

Filled out completely and correctly using the attached form
Free of materials and/or language that discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, physical ability, or sexual orientation

Selection Criteria for Proposals

Proposals will be judged by the Annual Program Committee and will be based on the following criteria:

Relevance to the civil engineering industry, Conference theme, and defined Conference topics
Focus of the topic as it relates to ASCE’s Vision 2025
Timeliness of the topic
Practical application of information to be presented
Creativity
Quality of the audio visuals and handouts described in the proposal
Potential to attract and stimulate Conference attendees of all experience levels and geographic reach
Potential to inspire members to lead the Society locally, nationally and globally

Selected Presentations

Written papers are not required for proposals that are selected for presentation, and there will not be a formal proceedings publication.

Proposal Review

ASCE strives to offer a balanced program of educational sessions by selecting proposals that best fit within the framework of the Conference. Final selections will be made by the Conference program organizers.

Notification

Notification of program status will be sent to the Lead Speaker in mid March 2010.

Scheduling of Program Sessions

Program sessions are scheduled throughout the Conference from Thursday, October 21 through Saturday October 23, 2010, at any time during the day ( 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ). Submit a proposal only if the Lead Speaker is available to present at any time on any of these dates.

Presentation Formats

You may submit proposals for any one of the following. Concurrent program sessions and panel discussions will be held during the official dates and times of the Conference. The Workshops and Seminars will be held either the day before the start of the Conference as a pre-conference event or the day after the Conference as a post-conference event.

Concurrent Program Sessions (90 minutes)

These lecture-style and interactive sessions are scheduled concurrently throughout the Conference and are based on the Conference Theme and list of topics. Rooms for concurrent program sessions are typically set theater-style only with a lectern in the front of the room. If there are multiple speakers in a session, each speaker will be allotted up to 20 minutes to make his or her presentation. Organizers must allot 20 minutes for Question and Answer. Sessions are offered Thursday through Saturday, at any time during the day (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

Panel Discussions (90 minutes)

A panel discussion is an instructional technique using a group of people chosen to discuss a topic in the presence of an audience. The panel typically consists of a maximum of four (4) individuals with a moderator/facilitator to facilitate the discussion and the question and answer session. This room is typically set theater-style with a head table for four.

Seminars (60 minutes to 2 hours) (pre- or post-conference)

Seminars feature a lecture and dialogue allowing participants in a particular field to share experiences under the guidance of an expert discussion leader. They can also be a meeting of specialists who have different specific skills but have a specific common interest and who come together for training or learning purposes. The work schedule of a seminar has the specific object of enriching the skills of the participants. These are typically set in either classroom style or preferably crescent rounds (approximately 5-6 chairs set around a banquet table).

Workshops (4 to 8 hours) (pre- or post-conference)

Workshops provide a platform for attendees to engage in intensive discussion. The workshop concept has been developed to compensate for diverging views in a particular discipline or on a particular subject. They may also be organized as a training session in which participants, often through exercises, develop skills and knowledge in a given field. Workshops are typically set in either classroom style or crescent rounds.

2010 Conference Theme

Today's Civil Engineers: Innovating a Dynamic Future

Our world is rapidly changing, presenting new challenges in globalization, local and national economies, and the sustainability of our planet. In this dynamic environment, the public depends on the expertise and creative thinking of civil engineers to design, build, operate and maintain the world’s public infrastructures, sustaining and improving the lives of people everywhere. Are you ready? Do you have the skills and experience? Join us at ASCE’s 140th Annual Civil Engineering Conference to share knowledge, set the stage for multidisciplinary collaboration, develop game-changing ideas, and be a leader in Innovating a Dynamic Future.

Suggested Topic Descriptions

Leadership

Today’s leaders need more than just a good engineering background and a willingness to lead. They need new tools and new skills to help them adapt to rapidly changing business and economic conditions. They need to understand how to build multi-disciplinary teams, often across geo-political, language and cultural boundaries. How can civil engineering leaders overcome these challenges and obstacles in order to succeed for their teams and clients? What new approaches and techniques have worked for them to stay competitive in the local, national and global marketplace?

Sustainable Infrastructure & Economic Development

Civil infrastructure not only provides the world’s population with the means to have access to food, clothing and shelter, it is also a key component in the functioning of our global economy. Properly planned, designed, engineered, built, operated and maintained, civil infrastructure can simultaneously contribute to the sustainability of our planet and improve the quality of life. What are some examples of how engineers have provided leadership that has guided public policy and private investment in building a greener planet while enhancing the economic livelihood of our societies? What lessons can be learned and what best practices can be shared?

Integrating a Multi-Generational Workforce

Balancing the different needs and expectations of employees has never been more difficult. With more generations of people in the workforce than ever before, companies are trying to find new ways to bridge the age gap between their employees while ensuring they continue to grow. How are large and small engineering firms coping with these workforce challenges? What are the benefits of a workforce that encompasses a broader generational span, and how can those benefits be leveraged to strengthen companies and improve their competitiveness in the local, national and global marketplace?

Professional & Personal Career Development

ASCE helps members thrive in both their personal and professional lives by offering benefits for every career stage. Whether taking the first steps of their career, looking back on a lifetime of accomplishments, or somewhere in the middle, ASCE members are constantly in need of resources to help them stay on top of the industry’s newest developments so they can continue practicing at the highest level, while advancing in their career.

Why is the civil engineering degree being compared to a liberal arts one? Because graduates can do more with their civil engineering degree than just civil engineering. Civil engineers work in government, consulting, education, industry, and construction. Help guide students to the career path that’s right for them, and more importantly, help keep them in civil engineering.

Technology and Innovation

Technology and innovation in civil engineering are crucial to keeping up with the demands of clients and society in general. What are some examples of some “game-changing” technologies and innovations that have helped to significantly enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of civil engineering?