Many conferences are targeted by hotel booking scams and room resellers who are not associated with the event. These non-sanctioned buyers convince potential attendees that rooms are selling out and that they hold the last few available rooms. They sell rooms at rates well-above the conference rate and often tack on hidden fees and expensive cancellation policies. Conference organizers and host hotels watch for these scams. Once problems are discovered, warnings are sent out.
GeoAmericas 2016, the 3rd Pan-American Conference on Geosynthetics, alerted exhibitors yesterday that at least two known groups, unaffiliated with GeoAmericas, are targeting event exhibitors right now.
All exhibitor and sponsor companies, exhibitor personnel, and attendees are reminded that there are only two ways to officially book rooms for GeoAmericas 2016:
The Loews Miami Beach Hotel is the official hotel for GeoAmericas 2016. It is the site for all conference activities. Hotel Rooms are available now. While some of the pre-conference and post-conference nights are filling quickly, hundreds of rooms are still available during the event.
The North American Geosynthetics Society hosted “Educate the Educators: A Geosynthetics Training Program for University Professors” on 28–29 July 2015 in Austin, Texas.
This program provided core geosynthetic content, background information, and materials for use in the classroom so that participants can offer fundamental geosynthetics instruction in their engineering programs. The primary goal of the event was to teach every participant how to offer at least one 50-minute class on geosynthetics at the undergraduate level. Lecture notes and a hands-on learning module were provided to support this fundamental lecture. Additional class content and resources for senior undergraduate and graduate courses was also presented, discussed and provided.
The training sessions were be led by NAGS members Dr. Jorge Zornberg of The University of Texas at Austin, geotechnical consultant Dr. Barry Christopher and Dr. Richard Brachman of Queen’s University. Corporate sponsors contributed to technical education by providing informative and interesting case histories as well as special hands-on laboratory explanations and demonstrations by technical experts.
“The quality of the program and the reception of the material by the attendees was excellent,” stated John Henderson, PE, President of NAGS. “Educate the Educators is one of the key strategic programs for NAGS to fulfill our mission to improve the knowledge base of civil engineering professionals about geosynthetics.”
Educate the Educators hosted 43 visiting professors from North America and participants from Italy, Peru, China, Indonesia and Egypt.
This non-commercial educational event was chaired by Mr. Boyd Ramsey of GSE Environmental and created by the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS). The event was hosted by the IGS’s North American Chapter (NAGS) and supported by generous sponsors: Geosynthetic Materials Association, Geosynthetic Institute, TenCate Geosynthetics, Erosion Control Technology Council, Presto Geosystems, GSE Environmental, Huesker, Thrace-Linq, and TRI.
Too many engineers enter the field without state-of-the-art geotechnical knowledge, because their formal schooling overlooks a key piece of modern practice: geosynthetics.
Let the geosynthetics community provide resources to teach your students about geosynthetics.
Geosynthetics were the only new class of construction materials developed in the 20th century. Over the past 40 years, they have become fully integrated into all areas of environmental and civil infrastructure design and execution. Their cost-effective, environmentally strong performance has been well documented. In some cases, federal regulations even require their use (e.g., waste management). Today, every major engineering firm has designated geosynthetic experts on staff. Yet, geosynthetics are taught in less than 45 engineering programs in North American colleges and universities. This has produced an enormous knowledge gap.
Multiple geotechnical and geosynthetics professional societies and organizations are joining together to sponsor a geosynthetics education program specific to supporting educators. “Educate the Educators: A Geosynthetics Training Program for University Professors” will be held 28 – 29 July 2015 in Austin, Texas. This program will provide core geosynthetic content, background information, and materials for use in the classroom so that participants may include geosynthetics in their engineering curricula. The event presents a single 50-minute class on geosynthetics for the undergraduate level; but it also provides a framework for additional class content and resources up to and including a graduate-level class on geosynthetics.
Please apply on line at: http://www.ifai.com/forms/educatetheeducators
The sessions will be led by Dr. Richard Brachman of Queen’s University, Dr. Jorge Zornberg of The University of Texas at Austin, and field veteran Barry Christopher.
This is a non-commercial event being conducted under the auspices of the IGS North America and created by the International Geosynthetics Society , and supported by the Geosynthetic Institute, the Geosynthetic Materials Association, and other industry groups and companies.
There are approximately 40 seats in the course. Successful applicants will be provided with hotel, meals, and transportation in Austin. Successful applicants will need only to fund their travel to Austin.
When: 28 – 29 July 2015 Where: Austin, Texas
In applying for participation, please include:
Applicants will be notified of their enrollment status during the second week in June. Priority will be given to those individuals judged to have influence over the content of the programs at their respective institutions.
APPLY ONLINE TO PARTICIPATEPlease apply today. We encourage you to spread the word on this program to your colleagues in education. Spaces are limited, so act promptly. Please contact me using the information below if you have any additional questions.
Sincerely,
Boyd Ramsey
Chief Engineer – GSE Environmental LLC
GMA Chairman
IGS Council Member
Co-Chair IGS Technical Committee on Barriers
Co-Chair IGS North America Educate the Educators Program
+1.281.797.6183
Why are your students, students from your alma mater and other Universities you hire from not graduating with knowledge of the “state of the art” of geotechnical engineering practices?
Let the geosynthetics industry teach you how to teach your students about geosynthetics.
Geosynthetics are the newest addition to “state of the art” engineering design and execution. Used for over 30 years, geosynthetics are critical to environmental and infrastructure civil construction. Geosynthetics are cost-effective, environmentally friendly and in many cases required by federal US regulations. Every major engineering firm has designated geosynthetic experts on staff.
Yet geosynthetics are taught in less than 45 engineering programs within the universities in the North America.
All of the geosynthetic industry societies and organizations are joining to sponsor a program to provide content and knowledge for geosynthetic education. Called “Educate the Educators: A Geosynthetics Training Program for University Professors.” It will be held in July 2015 in Austin, Texas. This program will provide content, materials and background to include geosynthetics in your universities engineering curriculum. The event presents a single 50 minute class on geosynthetics for the undergraduate level but also provides a framework for additional class content and resources up to and including a graduate level class on geosynthetics.
APPLY ONLINE TO PARTICIPATEThe sessions will be led by Dr. Richard Brachman of Queen’s University, Dr. Jorge Zornberg of The University of Texas and Barry Christopher. This is a non-commercial event being conducted under the auspices of the North American Geosynthetics Society and supported by the International Geosynthetics Society, the Geosynthetic Institute, the Geosynthetic Materials Association and other industry groups and companies.
With the exception of travel to and from Austin, all expenses will be paid. Priority will be given to those individuals judged to have influence over the content of the programs at their respective institutions.
Dates: July 28-29, 2015
Location: Austin, Texas
What is needed to apply: Copy of CV, listing of courses taught and a short commentary telling us how you can include this content in your universities curriculum.
We encourage you to both apply today and to spread the word on this program to those colleges and universities we may not reach. Please act promptly, spaces are limited. Please contact me using the information below if you have any additional questions.
APPLY ONLINE TO PARTICIPATESincerely,
Boyd Ramsey
Chief Engineer – GSE Environmental LLC
GMA Chairman
Co-Chair IGS Technical Committee on Barriers
Email: BRamsey@GSEworld.com
Phone: +1.281.797.6183
Event: NAGS 2014 Webinar Series: Presentation #3
Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2014, 1-2 pm EDT
Location: Online Webinar
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN (Registration Closes October 7th, 2014)
NAGS is very pleased to announce the 2014 Webinar Series:Presentation #3:
“Geofilters”
Presented by:
R. Jonathan Fannin, Ph.D., P. Eng.
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, Canada;
DATE: Wednesday October 8, 2014, 1:00 – 2:00 pm EST
ABSTRACT: The origins of current design practice for a granular filter are first examined, along with some of the lessons learned over the years from construction of very large embankment dams, including the WAC Bennett dam in British Columbia. The origins of current design practice for a geotextile filter are then examined, in conjunction with some of the lessons learned from their use in earthworks, including the rehabilitation of the Alouette dam spillway in British Columbia. The evidence to-date suggests that both sand-gravel filters and geosynthetic filters have generally performed well at controlling seepage flow in earthwork applications for many years. However there have also been problems reported, both for granular filters and for geotextile filters. This lecture draws upon industry-university research on the sinkhole incident at the WAC Bennett dam in British Columbia, and industry-university research on the filter compatibility of geotextiles in unidirectional and reversing flow, to understand better the significance of issues affecting the performance of geofilters in earthworks. The merits of mandating the use of a geosynthetic filter as an adjunct to a granular filter, in critical infrastructure, are then considered within the context of risk management.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Jonathan Fannin obtained a B.Sc. (Civil Engineering) from the Queen’s University of Belfast, and a D. Phil. (Geotechnical Engineering) from the University of Oxford for studies on geosynthetics for soil stabilization. He is a recipient of several awards, including an IGS Award for contributions of laboratory and field research to engineering practice, a CGS Quigley Award for the best paper in the Canadian Geotechnical Journal, a Karl Terzaghi Fellowship from the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute and most recently, a Distinguished Visiting Fellow award from the U.K. Royal Academy of Engineering. Jonathan has provided specialist technical advice on a number of dam projects in North and South America and, in 2013, was made a Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada in 2013.
PRESENTATION #3 REGISTRATION FEE:
$100 – Presentation #3 MEMBER Fee: NAGS / CGS / IGS
$300 – Presentation #3 NON-MEMBER Fee ( Save money and become a member of NAGS today! )
$25 – Presentation #3 NAGS Student Member Rate ( Students may apply to NAGS at no charge for membership! )
PDHs: Professional development credit will be available for each participant paying a registration fee.
GROUPS: Small groups of up to five people are welcome to participate for one registration fee. Groups larger than five must pay a second registration fee.
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN (Registration Closes October 7th, 2014)
REGISTER HERENOTES: All fees are in USD. Why not join NAGS for $75 USD? Please see www.nags-igs.org for details.
Co-sponsored by the Geosynthetics Division of the Canadian Geotechnical Society (CGS)
NAGS – Providing leadership in advancing the education and research of geosynthetics
Event: NAGS 2014 Webinar Series: Presentation #2
Date: Wednesday July 9, 2014, 1:00 – 2:00 pm EDT
Location: Online Webinar
NAGS is very pleased to announce the 2014 Webinar Series:Presentation #2:
“Composite Drainage Nets – Design and Testing”
Presented by:
Bob Mackey, P.E., BCEE
S2L, Incorporated
Maitland, Florida, USA
DATE: Wednesday July 9, 2014, 1:00 – 2:00 pm EST
ABSTRACT: The development of composite drainage nets (CDNs) (a.k.a. “geocomposites”) has advanced from the initial biaxial nets to tri-axial nets to the current composite drainage products of various geosynthetic materials and structures. The use of CDNs requires a fundamental knowledge of the CDN components and the specifications for those materials.
This North American Geosynthetics Society webinar will address the various design, testing and installation issues one must consider with composite drainage nets. Issues include:
ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Mr. Mackey is a civil/environmental engineer with 28+ years of experience in the solid waste management field. Bob is currently president of the North American Geosynthetic Society and Chairman of the ASTM International Committee D35on Geosynthetics. Mr. Mackey is an adjunct professor at the University of Central Florida, former co-instructor for the ASCE continuing education course “Design of Waste Containment Liner and Closure Systems,” and a member of ASCE’s Body of Knowledge Committee, 2nd Edition. Bob has received ASTM’s Award of Merit (the association’s highest award), and he has been honored with the designation of Fellow by ASTM, ASCE and the Florida Engineering Society.
PRESENTATION #2 REGISTRATION FEE:
$100 – Presentation #2 MEMBER Fee: NAGS / CGS / IGS
$300 – Presentation #2 NON-MEMBER Fee ( Save money and become a member of NAGS today! )
$25 – Presentation #2 NAGS Student Member Rate ( Students may apply to NAGS at no charge for membership! )
PDHs: Professional development credit will be available for each participant paying a registration fee.
GROUPS: Small groups of up to five people are welcome to participate for one registration fee. Groups larger than five must pay a second registration fee.
REGISTER HERENOTES: All fees are in USD. Why not join NAGS for $75 USD? Please see www.nags-igs.org for details.
NAGS – Providing leadership in advancing the education and research of geosynthetics
Event: NAGS 2014 Webinar Series: Presentation #1
Date: Wednesday March 19, 2014, 1 – 2 pm EDT
Location: Online Webinar
NAGS is very pleased to announce the 2014 Webinar Series:Presentation #1:
“Recent insights on the performance of GCLs in bottom liners and covers”
Presented by:
R. Kerry Rowe
GeoEngineering Centre at Queen’s-RMC
Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada
DATE: Wednesday March 19, 2014, 1-2 pm EST
ABSTRACT: The available evidence suggests that both geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) and composite liners with a geomembrane (GMB) over a clay liner have performed extremely well at controlling leakage in field applications for a couple of decades. However there have also been some problems reported and recent research has allowed us to have a much better understanding of the key design and construction factors affecting good and poor performance. This lecture examines some of these issues affecting GCL performance such as the water retention curve of GCLs, subgrade grain size and initial water content, GCL water content and normal stress on the GCL, the effect of daily thermal cycles on hydration, GCL panel shrinkage, and cation exchange. Factors affecting composite liner performance examined include the potential for desiccation of the clay liner under a sustained thermal gradient, GMB/GCL interface transmissivity, wrinkles in the GMB when the ballast layer is placed over the composite liner, and the potential interaction between wrinkles and GCL panel overlaps. Recent insights regarding leakage through composite liners are discussed. Although a number of potential issues with liner performance are discussed, it is concluded that all can be addressed by appropriate design, material selection, construction, and operation.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Professor Rowe holds the Canada Research Chair in Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering at Queen’s University. He is an author of 300 journal papers, 3 books, 18 book chapters, and 290 full conference papers. He has presented many prestigious lectures including the Giroud Lecture (2002), Rankine Lecture (2005), and Casagrande Lecture (2011). He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Engineering, the Royal Academy of Engineering and The Royal Society. He is past president of the International Geosynthetics Society, Canadian Geotechnical Society, and Engineering Institute of Canada.
PRESENTATION #1 REGISTRATION FEE:
$100 – Presentation #1 MEMBER Fee: NAGS / CGS / IGS
$300 – Presentation #1 NON-MEMBER Fee ( Save money and become a member of NAGS today! )
$25 – Presentation #1 NAGS Student Member Rate ( Students may apply to NAGS at no charge for membership! )
PDHs: Professional development credit will be available for each participant paying a registration fee.
GROUPS: Small groups of up to five people are welcome to participate for one registration fee.
Groups larger than five would be required to pay a second registration fee.
NOTES: All fees are in USD. Why not join NAGS for $75 USD? Please see www.nags-igs.org for details.
Co-sponsored by the Geosynthetics Division of the Canadian Geotechnical Society (CGS)
NAGS – Providing leadership in advancing the education and research of geosynthetics
Event: Geosynthetics in Roadways Short Course
Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2013, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Location: Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida
Course Summary:
The 1 day (6PDHs) short course “Geosynthetics in Roadways” provides training on the appropriate, cost-effective utilization of geosynthetics in roadway applications. The course examines the use of geotextiles, geogrids, and edge drains in pavement structures. Applications of filtration, drainage, roadway separation, roadway reinforcement, roadway subgrade improvement, and pavement overlays are addressed.
Who should attend:
The workshop is intended for engineers or technical staff who design roadways and would like to gain a greater understanding of the use of geosynthetics in roadway applications.
About the instructors:
Download Short Course Brochure
GeoMontreal 2013 E-News – July 21, 2013
We are pleased to provide this update on GeoMontreal 2013 at the Hilton Montreal Bonaventure Hotel from Sunday, September 29 to Thursday, October 3, 2013.
GeoMontreal 2013 Delegate Early Registration Deadline is July 31, 2013
Be sure to act now to take advantage of the “early-bird” conference registration fees for GeoMontreal 2013. The full conference registration price for CGS, IAH or NAGS members is only $795 for registrations made on or before July 31, 2013 – the non-member fee is $985 and includes membership in CGS, IAH or NAGS for 2014. These conference registration fees will increase by $100 on August 1, 2013.
GeoMontreal 2013 offers secure online registration and credit card payment accepting Visa and MasterCard – please click here to go directly to the online registration page. Registration confirmation and your payment receipt are e-mailed immediately for your records.
The online registration system can also be used to register for the short courses, technical tours and the conference’s partner program events.
Make Your Hotel Reservation Soon
The Hilton Bonaventure Montreal is the official venue for GeoMontreal 2013 and will host the majority of conference events. The organizers have secured a group conference rate of $199 per night for delegates, single or double occupancy. This rate includes complimentary in-room high-speed internet.
Just click here to make your reservation online on the Hilton Bonaventure’s secure web site dedicated to GeoMontreal 2013 conference hotel room reservations.
If you prefer, you may call the hotel directly at 1-514-878-2332. Don’t forget to mention that you are a delegate of GeoMontreal 2013 (rate code GEOTI) to obtain the best rate.
Be sure to make your room reservation by August 28, 2013, and preferably sooner as the hotel cannot guarantee space availability or the special conference rates after that date.
Paper Review Update
The technical committee has finalized their review of a majority of the submitted papers and these corresponding authors have received their acceptance e-mails, with any remaining acceptances to be sent in the next few days. We have now received over 375 papers and are looking forward to presenting an extensive and comprehensive program. Technical program details should be available online by mid-August.
Short Course Registrations
GeoMontreal 2013 is pleased to offer one, two-day short course starting on Saturday, September 28 and four, full-day short courses on Sunday, September 29 at the Hilton Bonaventure Montreal. Topics to be covered include:
Spaces are limited so please register sooner than later to secure your spot. Please click here to see the detailed course descriptions.
Technical Tour Details Now Available
GeoMontreal 2013 is also pleased to offer three technical tours as part of its comprehensive technical program.
Our first trip is an all-day tour on Sunday, September 29, 2013 – Turcot Reconstruction, Mont Royal Tunnel and the Complexe Environnemental de Saint-Michel – where participants will tour the reconstruction of the Turcot Interchange, then ride the rails on CN’s rail-buses to tour one of the oldest man-made tunnels in Canada, and finally visit an ex-aggregate rock quarry that has been turned into a city park with a biogas cogeneration station.
Our first option on Thursday, October 3, 2013 – La Romaine Hydroelectric Complex – is an all-day tour visiting Hydro-Quebec’s newest hydroelectric station under construction in the beautiful region of Havre St-Pierre, area located on the North Shore of the St. Lawrence River.
Our other choice on Thursday, October 3, 2013 – Montérégie Aquifer System – is an all-day tour visiting the Montérégie Est region, located south-east of Montreal, to get an overview of the varied geological and hydrogeological contexts of the area where fractured rock makes up a regional aquifer system.
Please click here to visit the GeoMontreal 2013 website Technical Tours page to view the details of these trips and to book your spot.
All short courses and technical tours require a minimum number of participants to proceed so be sure to register for your spot before the conference begins to guarantee your space. Courses or tours with insufficient registrants by September 3 may, regrettably, be cancelled.
Sponsorship Opportunities
There are still lots of sponsor opportunities available for GeoMontreal 2013. Luncheons are just $1,000 each and coffee breaks $750. Click here for sponsorship details or contact the Conference Administrator directly at sponsors@geomontreal2013.ca to take advantage of this marketing opportunity.
Please click here to see the complete list of conference sponsors on the GeoMontreal 2013 web site. Our thanks go out to all of them for their generous support.
Rockfall Characterization and Control
TRB has will be releasing it’s newest book, Rockfall Characterization and Control, on October 1, 2012. For more information about this book, please read this brochure. You can pre-order your copy today from the Transportation Research Board’s website with no shipping or handling fees charged for orders placed before October 1, 2012.
We are the North American Chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS), serving and representing infrastructure and sustainability professionals in Canada and the United States.
