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Keynotes

Monday, April 6

8:15 am – 9:15 am | Opening Plenary Program & Keynote Speaker

Kick off your Structures Congress experience with a welcome from SEI Leaders and learn how to make the most of multi-generational teams.

Generations@Work

Sarah SladekSarah Sladek, CEO, XYZ University

During the past 20 years, we’ve been living through an era of unprecedented innovation and connectivity. With access to more technology, opportunity, and diversity of thought and skills than ever before, our companies should be thriving. But most are not.

Now it’s 2020 and every industry – including our own – is struggling to find and keep talent. Moreover, working in multi-generational teams seems to create more challenges than opportunities, and research indicates that few organizations have been really successful at creating harmonious, engaged, and productive teams.

For too long, we’ve just assumed there is no other way. But Sarah Sladek proves there is another way. Drawing from her extensive workforce and generational research, Sarah has been able to identify the key characteristics of successful companies and multi-generational teams.

How do you add value to your team? How do you communicate? What inspires and motivates you? Knowing the answers to these questions are key – as well as knowing the answers of the other people on your team.

In this insightful, interactive, and humorous presentation, Sarah will identify where generation gaps are most likely to exist in your organization and the best practices for bridging them. Gain valuable insights into your work mindset and values, as well as those of others. Identify your unique advantage and where it's valued, and learn how to effectively communicate and collaborate with others.

Nearly everything about the way we live, work, and do business has changed in recent years. The way we work together and team-build must change, as well. Sarah Sladek will show you how to successfully contribute to and build a team capable of collaboration, innovation, and productivity for generations to come.

Sarah Sladek Biography (PDF)

Keynote Sponsored by: CSI; Plenary Program Sponsored by: MiTek

CSI logoMiTek logo

3:30 pm – 5:00 pm | Special Sessions

Choose from the following two sessions:

  • Millennium Tower - The Story
    The session presenters, who are knowledgeable about the enhanced foundation plan and settlement of the claims, will tell the story.
    Moderator: John Tawresey, P.E., S.E. F.SEI, Dist.M.ASCE, Vice President, KPFF
    Presenter: Ronald Hamburger, P.E., S.E., SECB, IStrutE, F.SEI, NAE, Senior Principal, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger
    For full description search "Millennium" in the Interactive Technical Program.
  • FIU Pedestrian Bridge Collapse
    A review of the design and construction methods, reasons for the collapse and safety recommendations will be presented.
    Moderator: Andrew Herrmann, P.E., F.ASCE, F.SEI
    Presenters: Steven Prouty, P.E., M.ASCE, Senior Investigator, NTSB; Adrienne LammNTSBJohn Tawresey, P.E., S.E. F.SEI, Dist.M.ASCE, Vice President, KPFF
    For full description search "FIU" in the Interactive Technical Program

Tuesday, April 7

8:15 am – 9:15 am | Plenary Program, Keynote Speaker & SEI Annual Meeting

Reaching New Heights in the Structural Engineering Profession

Ashraf HabibullahAshraf Habibullah, P.E., M.ASCE, CEO, Computers and Structures, Inc.

It’s not a stretch to say that modern civilization depends upon the structural engineering profession more than any other profession in the world.  Our work addresses some of the most pressing concerns of modern times: population growth, housing, shelter, and infrastructure.  So, why don’t our earnings reflect this, and why are we so under-represented (and often misrepresented) in the media and popular culture?  Join us for a fascinating presentation about these perplexing contradictions and learn how to effect real change, starting now.  Ashraf Habibullah, President, and CEO of Computers & Structures, Inc., will inspire you with personal anecdotes and real-world examples that illustrate how attitude, perception, and expectations have the power to both limit and maximize potential.  You’ll leave with an understanding of how just altering your thinking about your profession, your colleagues and yourself can pave the way toward better recognition and higher fees for all structural engineers. 

3:30 pm – 5:00 pm | Special Sessions

Choose from the following three sessions:

  • Conceptual Design of Bridges and Buildings - The Sequel
    Organized by SEI and the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE)
    Moderator: David Odeh, S.E., P.E., SECB, F.SEI, F.ASCE, Principal, Odeh Engineers, Inc. 
    Presenters: Ian Firth, FREng, FICE, FIStructE, HonFRIBA, Consultant, COWI UK; Erleen Hatfield, P.E., S.E., AIA, LEED AP, President, Hatfield Group; Paul Kassabian, P.E., P.Eng., C.Eng., Principal, Simpson, Gumpertz, & HegerJon Magnusson, P.E., S.E., Dist.M.ASCE, NAE, Sr. Principal, Magnusson Klemencic AssociatesTanya de Hoog, FIStructE, Thornton Tomasetti
    For full description search "Conceptual" in the Interactive Technical Program.
  • Don't Touch That Dial! Professional Liability Case Study Marathon
    Organized by CASE
    ModeratorEric Singer, Attorney, Partner, Ice Miller LLP
    PresentersEric Singer, Partner, Ice Miller LLP; Karen Erger, Attorney, Licensed Insurance Broker, Lockton Companies
    For full description search "Dial" in the Interactive Technical Program.
  • Confidential Reporting on Structural Safety in the United States (CROSS-US)
    Introduces the newly launched CROSS-US program and the importance of structural safety. 
    ModeratorGlenn Bell, C.Eng, P.E., F.SEI, F.ASCE, Sr. Principal, Simpson, Gumpertz & Heger
    PresentersGlenn Bell, C.Eng, P.E., F.SEI, F.ASCE, Sr. Principal, Simpson, Gumpertz & HegerAndrew Herrmann, P.E., F.SEI, F.ASCE, Pres.12.ASCE; Alastair Soane, C.Eng, F.IStructure, StructuralSafety.org
    For full description search "Confidential" in the Interactive Technical Program.

Wednesday, April 8

11:30 am – 1:45 pm | Closing Plenary Luncheon, Keynote Speakers & Awards Program

Enjoy lunch with your colleagues and celebrate this year's SEI/ASCE award winners. 

Museum of the Future: Trends & Technologies Shaping the Future of Structural Engineering

Christopher WodzickiChristopher Wodzicki, P.E., Engineering Services Director, BuroHappold Engineering

Michael GustafsonMichael Gustafson, P.E., Business Strategy Manager, Autodesk

In this keynote, Autodesk will share how industry trends like AI, DfMA and globalization of work are changing the future practice of structural engineering. You will also hear how these trends will empower engineers to create more resilient and constructible designs. Leading international, integrated engineering consultancy, BuroHappold Engineering will then share how they used several novel innovations to design the Museum of the Future.

Christopher Wodzicki & Michael Gustafson Bio (PDF)

Sponsored by: Autodesk

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