About the author: Elizabeth Lisican is associate editor for Storm Water Solutions. Lisican can be reached at 847.954.7958 or by e-mail at [email protected].
Bigger is always better in the Lone Star state, and the International Erosion Control Assn. (IECA) will follow that standard by holding Environmental Connection 2010 (EC10)—the largest expo of its kind—in Dallas Feb. 16 to 20.
More than 1,800 registrants headed west for EC09 in Reno, Nev., and took part in 57 technical sessions and 27 training courses amidst 152 exhibitor booths. The conference aims to build on those opportunities this year.
Four days long, EC10 will provide peer-reviewed education, products and technology addressing eight topical sections: slope stabilization, stream restoration, vegetative establishment, storm water management, wetlands technology, erosion and sediment control, beach/shoreline stabilization and wind erosion technology.
Learning Lab
Education is a major component of Environmental Connection, with training courses, field tours and technical sessions galore.
This year the event will feature the Learning Lab, a special venue that seats up to 50 EC10 attendees and gives up to 10 exhibitors the opportunity to showcase their products and services in a classroom environment during one-hour segments. Sponsored by Storm Water Solutions, the Learning Lab is an educational and interactive space that allows conference attendees to connect with EC10 exhibitors in a new way.
In Theory & Practice
Other educational opportunities to keep in mind include:
- Slope Stability and Mudslides. Feb. 16, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stanley Miller, Ph.D., P.E., CPESC, will lead this advanced training course, which provides an overview of landslide conditions, causes and mitigation options.
- The BMP Class—Elements for Compliance. Feb. 17, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. John McCullah, CPESC, will lead this beginner’s course, which promises to strengthen knowledge and understanding of how best management practices work.
- Maximizing CESSWI or CPSWQ Certification Within the Land Development Industry. Feb. 17, 8:30 to 10 a.m. This presentation by Greg Yoko will illustrate the dynamics of the land development industry and potential increased involvement by erosion control-certified professionals.
- Field Tour—Wetland: East Fork Raw Water Supply Project. Feb. 17, 8 a.m. to noon. Denise Hickey will lead this beginner’s-level field tour.
- Green Design Engineering: A Fresh Approach For Sustainable Erosion Control. Feb. 19, 1 to 2:30 p.m. In this session, Michael Robeson, M.S., P.E., CPESC, CPSWQ, will examine each of the key components for sustainable erosion control designs.
As for products and technology, view them during regular Expo Hall hours: Feb. 18, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Feb. 19, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Extras
Sprinkled throughout the learning-intensive program schedule are a slew of special events for networking and leisure. These include:
- Wednesday Awards Luncheon. Feb. 17, noon to 8:30 p.m. $75/member or $85/nonmember. The luncheon will include presentations of chapter awards and addresses from the president of the IECA board of directors, Michael R. Chase, CPESC, CPSWQ, CESSWI, and IECA’s executive director, Russell Adsit, FASLA.
- Expo Grand Opening Celebration. Feb. 17, 5:15 to 7:30 p.m. This free event will give participants a chance to preview what the expo has to offer as they enjoy a complimentary beverage and appetizers.
- Cowboy Stadium Tour. Feb. 19, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. $75/member or $85/nonmember. Get a post-Super Bowl fix and some much-deserved playtime after a busy week by exploring the newly minted Cowboys Stadium. Then ride off into the sunset...
Editor’s note: Save the date—EC11 will take place Feb. 21 to 25, 2011, in Orlando, Fla.
For more event information, visit www.ieca.org/conference.
