2023 IECA Annual Conference and Expo
The 2023 IECA Annual Conference and Expo in Kansas City (KC), Missouri brought back our global community and a new group of peers to network with from the Geosynthetics group. The conference kicked off with a brews and BBQ tour of KC and ended with field tours of the Berkley waterfront development, smart sewer system and streetcar construction project. Attendees had plenty of opportunities to connect with new peers, learn and have fun!
Opening Keynote Session
The opening session, presented by Scott Mensing, PE, PMP and Colonel Travis Rayfield, PE, PMP, looked at the $529 million Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas Levee project which is one of the largest, most complex, civil works project that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Kansas City District has delivered. The program will improve the reliability and resiliency of 17 miles of levees and floodwalls located along the Kansas River in the metropolitan area. When the project is completed in 2026, the KC Levees will reduce risk of flooding by 200%, improve the reliability and resiliency of the levee system, improve deteriorating and aging infrastructure, ensure “as-designed” performance during future floods and enhance levee safety and flood awareness.
IECA Recognizes Industry Leaders
The IECA Awards of Excellence program acknowledges outstanding achievements in the erosion and sediment control industry and is a staple event at the conference. This year’s recognized projects and leaders include:
- The Kilométro 21, Vía Gigante-Garzón Recuperación, De La Banca Usando Megabolsas project received the Environmental Excellence Award which is IECA’s most prestigious award that recognizes excellence in natural resource conservation and environmental protection.
- Peter Armstrong received the Outstanding Professional of the Year Award that recognizes an IECA member who demonstrates excellence in their work in the industry.
- Adam Dibble, CPESC, CESSWI was presented with the Sustained Contributor Award for distinguished service to IECA and has made outstanding contributions to improve the erosion and sediment control industry for a sustained period of time.
- The Auburn University – Stormwater Research Facility was awarded the Sustained Partner Award, which recognizes distinguished support to IECA and demonstrated long-term support to the industry.
- Billur Kazaz, Ph.D. and Stefano Rignanese, M.Sc. were recipients of the Emerging Leaders Award (formerly the Young Professional Award), which recognizes outstanding young professionals under 40 years old in stormwater and erosion and/or sediment control projects, programs or academics that demonstrates excellence in natural resource conservation and environmental protection.
Expanded Expo Hall
This year’s Expo Hall included more than 300 exhibitors from the combined conferences showcasing the latest industry products and solutions. Attendees could attend both IECA Learning Zone (featuring Contractors’ Corner and vendor showcases) and Geosynthetics Learning Zone for additional training opportunities. The Expo Hall’s closing event “Taste of Kansas City” food stations provided samplings of famous Kansas City cuisine.
Poster Contest Winners
The poster presentations promote the exchange of scientific and technical information within the industry and are presented by students and young professionals. This year’s first place poster winner, Jannell E. Clampitt, EIT, CPESC-IT from Auburn University, presented “Materials Matter for Wattle Hydrologic Performance.” Megan Armstrong, from Auburn University, won second place with “Optimization of Sediment Basin Configurations.” Third place winner, Cheyenne Mata from Oklahoma State University, presented “Cost Assessment of Erosion and Sediment Controls Used by DOTs.”
Save the Date for 2024
The 2024 IECA Annual Conference will take place in Spokane, Washington, 25–28 February. The call for abstracts is now open and exhibition/sponsor opportunities are being sold for next year’s event
as well.
