ACEC-SC/SCDOT 16th Annual Meeting & Trade Show Has Record Attendance

The American Council of Engineering Companies of South Carolina and South Carolina Department of Transportation held the 16th Annual Meeting and Trade Show on October 23, 2013 at the Medallion Conference Center in Columbia, SC. Attendance this year exceeded expectations with a record number of attendees with 155 consultants and 100 SCDOT representatives.

The Annual Meeting and Trade Show started at 8:00 a.m. with the 28 exhibitor trade show, registration, and breakfast. Emily Swearingen, URS and David Taylor, CDM Smith welcomed attendees. Ms. Swearingen and Mr. Taylor are the 2013 ACEC-SC/SCDOT Annual Meeting Planning Committee co-chairs. Rocque Kneece, Bob Lee, FHWA, Mitchell Metts SCDOT Director of Preconstruction, and SC Secretary of Transportation Robert J. St. Onge, Jr. gave opening remarks.

The morning keynote address was given by Otis Rawl, President and CEO of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Rawl’s presentation Road Map to the Future covered the State Chamber’s role in developing the “Road Map to the Future” a comprehensive funding plan for road and bridges in South Carolina.

The luncheon keynote address Supply Chain Optimization and Logistics was given by Scott Mason, PhD, Fluor (SmartState) Endowed Chair in Supply Chain Optimization and Logistics, The Automotive and Transportation Cluster, Clemson University. With its deep-water port in Charleston, five major interstates and rail system, South Carolina has a well-established transportation system that has attracted major companies like Amazon and Target. The supply chain and logistics industry is highly competitive. To remain a top destination for distribution centers, South Carolina must continue to enhance its transportation infrastructure.

Attendees were able to choose from a variety of transportation related sessions in three different tracks throughout the day. To view the sessions and download the presentation click here. This annual event gives both consultants and SCDOT employees a chance to network as well as obtain 7 professional development hours.

The day closed with a SCDOT Program Update with Mr. Ron Patton, SCDOT Chief Engineer for Location, and Design. This meeting is an example of the healthy, important relationship between consulting engineers and the SC Department of Transportation.