EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR UPDATE Forward Thinking S eptember and October are interesting months for us at DFI. We ramp up preparations for the upcoming annual conference, this year in Chicago from October 15-18, and we begin planning for the 2020 conference in National Harbor, Maryland. It’s an exciting time! The organizing committee for DFI’s 44 th Annual Conference on Deep Foundations, led by Dhooli Raj, P.E., and the technical program committee, co-chaired by Ray Franz, P.E., D.GE and Cassie Rutherford, the 45 Annual Conference organizing committee is beginning now: formulating the topics to solicit the call for abstracts and brainstorming a theme. DFI44’s theme is >Future>Forward> Ph.D., P.E., began about a year ago, where th and the committee is asking that all attendees arrive at the Hilton Chicago with a forward-thinking attitude, open to the possibilities of what the future of geotech- nical engineering and construction may bring. The goal is to promote discussion and debate during the sessions. So, we encourage you to prepare by accessing the online proceedings in advance to read the papers being presented. A link will be sent to all registrants a couple of weeks before the conference. Though the conference begins with a session that includes the word “history,” the point of looking back is to see what we’ve learned that will influence how founda- tions are designed and built in the future. The opening day will also explore the mentor/mentee relationship and how it is an investment in the future of our industry and in the success of the future geopro- fessional community. That idea will be continued later in the conference schedule during the Legends Awards Program, when young professionals in attendance will have the opportunity to learn about legendary contributors to our industry and what made them successful as well as have the time to ask questions of the Legends – the ultimate mentors. In addition, there will be a panel discussion presented by DFI’s Project Information Management Systems (PIMS) committee on the importance of collecting, organizing, assembling, analyzing, pre- senting, sharing, preserving, interpreting and archiving data for future use. The dis- cussion will communicate the immediate The DFI44 theme is >Future>Forward> and the committee is asking that all attendees arrive at the Hilton Chicago with a forward- thinking attitude, open to the possibilities of what the future of geotechnical engineering and construction may bring. benefits of increased project quality and risk reduction as well as the future possibilities of advancing technology. Throughout most of the conference, there will be three concurrent sessions from which to choose various thought- provoking topics, including a track provided by our Manufacturers, Suppliers Theresa Engler Executive Director [email protected] and Service Providers Committee on the latest and upcoming innovative products and services available. In addition, there will be a wealth of information to be discovered in the exhibit hall from the more than 150 vendors. The closing plenary — The Digital Future — will leave everyone with much to consider when planning and executing future projects, such as the use of drones, holograms, virtual reality, automation and data recording machinery. It will also get your interest peaked in what the next organizing commi t tee, chaired by Sebastian Lobo-Guerrero, Ph.D., P.E., with program co-chairs Jennifer Nicks, Ph.D., the 45 Annual Conference in National P.E., and Gregg Piazza, P.E., has in store for th 2020 (see page 51). No doubt, the 45 Annual Conference will incorporate the amazing amount of rebuilding and revitalization in the local area. With this group’s enthusiasm and love for their profession, the possibilities are endless. So, don’t miss #DFI44 — there is still www.dfi.org/Annual2019 where you can read the published papers that will be presented once registered. While you’re at it, mark your calendars now for the 2020 Annual Conference and plan to submit an abstract ... the future is now. Harbor, Maryland, on October 13-16, th time to register for this conference by visiting DEEP FOUNDATIONS • SEPT/OCT 2019 • 9
