The American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA) is announcing “SAVE THE DATES!” for their 57th Annual Meeting. For the first time in 57 years, it will pivot to a virtual event scheduled for December 1 through 3, 2020. Amid the rapidly changing conditions with the pandemic, ACPA was cautiously optimistic about the possibility of holding a live event in December in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. However, since mid-summer, the Covid-19 conditions had worsened in Nashville; and certain areas and regions around the country became COVID-19 hot-spots with sharp increases in outbreaks, including Nashville. With increased risk, the ACPA Administrative Committee held a feasibility analysis of holding an in-person event, but it ultimately led to the decision of holding the event virtual.
Jerry Voigt, President and CEO-ACPA said, “Like most organizations, we have wrestled with the decision and the logistics of holding a large in-person event during the pandemic, but with the decision fully behind us to go virtual for 2020, we are busy planning and excited to execute an outstanding virtual event and provide the best experience we can for our members, technology partners, industry allies, and agency personnel.”
Greg McCormick, 2020 Chairman-ACPA and Northern Improvement Company, said, “This year’s theme is “Essential…Every Day“—expresses the core importance of highways, airports and roads, which are so essential to our country’s economy/mobility. The theme also captures the contribution of ACPA member businesses, which build the backbone of all surface transportation, along with the value of our Association, which unites our industry for continual improvement. “Essential…Every Day” is also a fitting tribute to the employees of our ACPA member companies! Your company’s essential business depends on the relationships you build through ACPA, and our virtual event will be a great opportunity for you and your team to strengthen existing relationships and build new ones, which we’re confident will build and strengthen bonds with friends, industry colleagues, and other invited guests during this unprecedented time. Let’s move forward together. In that spirit, remember that what you do, and what ACPA does, is Essential…Every Day! “
ACPA staff and leaders are working out program details and logistics, which will combine the essential elements of an in-person format with an innovative virtual delivery of the program designed to provide an enjoyable experience and value to our members’ businesses. Mark your calendars for December 1st through 3rd, 2020!
Andy Gieraltowski, Operations and IT-ACPA said, “The event schedule will be tightened up to work better with virtual delivery. Most content will be delivered in the afternoon hours and some content will be available any time. Market forums for highways, streets, airports and industrial pavements will be our featured opportunity to get input from members. We are also including essential elements, such as the annual meeting of the members and the Excellence in Concrete Paving Awards Program.”
According to Gieraltowski, registration information, detailed event descriptions, and the final schedule will be released soon. “Our pricing for registration will be reduced to maximize participation in the virtual format. We are hopeful this meeting will present an opportunity for new people to participate and we encourage long-standing annual meeting participants to invite someone new from their company to attend.”
For more information, please go to: www.acpa.org/24208-2/
31st Annual “Excellence in Concrete Pavement” Awards will be held on Thursday, December 3rd during the 57th Annual Virtual Meeting. ACPA announced the recipients of the “Excellence in Concrete Pavement” Awards, and in keeping with tradition, the announcement of the “Gold” and “Silver” award level will remain a secret until the award presentation ceremony during the annual meeting.
This year, the association recognizes 28 award-winning projects, along with the hard work, outstanding quality, and creative approaches to problem solving demonstrated by contractors, agencies, and engineers. And, ACPA recognizes 23 unique contractors, whose exceptional projects span 12 affiliated chapter/state association areas.
ACPA also expresses thanks and appreciation to 56 professionals who served as judges of the award submittals, reviewing nomination forms, project details, and photos depicting the projects.
For the list of award recipients, please go to: http://www.acpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Excellence-JudgingSummary-2020-1.pdf