Almost 1,000 attendees from around the world joined DFI at its 42nd Annual Conference on Deep Foundations, October 24-27, in New Orleans. The conference featured more than 75 technical presentations, 120+ exhibits of innovative products and services, technical committee and working group meetings, poster presentations, networking events and the annual awards ceremony.
A highlight of the event was an invited Panel on Risk: A Rational Discussion, which was simultaneously broadcast as a webinar.
Keynote speakers included David B. Paul, P.E., lead civil engineer with the United States Army Corps of Engineers, presenting an update on Mosul Dam remediation project in Iraq; Eric C. Halpin, P.E., special assistant for Dam and Levee Safety for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, discussing local projects at Oroville Dam and New Orleans/Katrina Levee; Deborah D. Keller, P.E., chief executive officer of Deborah D. Keller & Partners, sharing insight on fostering multi-generational work teams; and Ralph W. Junius, Jr., P.E., of Linfield, Hunter & Junius, focusing on legal issues in the industry.
Archie Manning, renowned football player, author and public relations consultant, presented the 2017 Hal Hunt Lecture on Communications, “The Manning Playbook for Communication and Leadership.”
Winners of DFI’s most prestigious awards were celebrated at the Awards Reception and Banquet. The Distinguished Service Award, DFI’s highest award to an individual, was presented to George K. Burke, P.E., D.GE, of Hayward Baker. There were two recipients for the Outstanding Project Award. Berkel & Company Contractors was recognized for the renovation and rehabilitation project on the Andrew Mellon Building, a National Historic Landmark in Washington, D.C. Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and ADVACT were recognized for the installation of tripod suction buckets for an offshore wind turbine foundation project located off the Korean peninsula.
Other activities included a Women in Deep Foundations networking reception and presentation of five professional development grants to women in the industry, a 5K Fun Run and Walk to raise funds for the DFI Educational Trust, football trivia and bingo in the exhibit area, and presentations by the winners of the Young Professor and Student Paper Competitions.
Visit www.deepfoundations2017.org to access photos from the event.
