Mark Your Calendars for Phoenix in September 2013! The planning for DFI’s 2013 Annual Conference in Phoenix is underway. The 38th Annual Conference on Deep Foundations, September 26-29, will be the event for industry members from across the globe to gather and share experiences, exchange ideas and learn the current state of the practice from various disciplines such as engineers, contractors, suppliers, manufacturers and academicians. Members of the DFI community met in Phoenix in June to discuss committee responsibilities and tour the venue. The luxurious JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa provides an unusual meeting space with the beautiful backdrop of the Desert Mountains. The hotel boasts a number of 5- star restaurants, an outstanding breakfast buffet, multiple pools to accommodate the hot weather, and a lazy river in which to relax and float during the 2013 event. DFI is working on the preliminary program, which will include current and newsworthy case studies, the latest new technologies, and informative presentations on what’s happening in the industry. At press time, the following committee members had signed on to help with the conference program. Conference co-chairs are Eric Risberg, district manager, and Kevin Wilson, southwest area manager, both with Case Foundation, Roselle, Ill. Program co-chair is Aderson M. Vieira, Ph.D., P.E., project manager, Geotechnical Department, Terracon. Student Activities chair is Ed Kavaazanjian, Ph.D., P.E., School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe. Exhibits chair is Jim Hallman, P.E., branch manager, Fugro Consultants, Chandler, Ariz. So far, one session chair has been named; Ramon Padilla, P.E., geotechnical project manager, Kleinfelder, Tempe, Ariz. There are preliminary plans for a pre- conference golf outing at the hotel, so stay tuned for more special events in September 2013. Exhibitors will have the opportunity to sign up early during this year’s Annual Conference in Houston, October 16-19, 2012. With 3 days of presentations and multiple sessions to attend, exhibitor booths to visit, and awards to celebrate the accomplishments of our colleagues, 2013’s Annual Conference promises to deliver an experience for all who attend. 18 • DEEP FOUNDATIONS • SEPT/OCT 2012
