Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, Ala.

By Lauri Newton, Alabama Graphics Account Executive

I spent a few days earlier this month with our friends in the Alabama section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Alabama Chapter of the American Public Works Society (APWA) at their summer meeting. We gathered at the gorgeous Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, Ala.

More than 300 members from both these organizations checked out Alabama Graphics’ information on our iPlan table and our eSuite services, both popular topics of conversation as engineers and project managers are always looking for new ways to leverage technology to make sharing information easier, faster and more reliable. I also had lots of conversations with attendees about the emerging technologies we’re seeing in 3D printing, and about how Alabama Graphics is evaluating ways we might be able to help them in making models for upcoming projects.

But aside from all the great conversations I had with folks on how they were using printing technologies in the AEC industry, I also had the chance to connect with some new and different folks across the industry. My neighbor in the exhibit hall was Jason Hewatt, who works for Foley Arch, a precast concrete specialty company based in the Atlanta area. I learned from Jason that Foley Arch provided components to help build the bridge that leads to Sanford Stadium on the University of Georgia campus.

But before these components could be used, they had to be tested for composition and durability. And who performed those tests? The research staff at the Highway Research Center in Auburn University’s Harbert Engineering Center! I couldn’t help but let a “War Eagle!” loose when I learned about Auburn’s involvement in a UGA construction project!

We’re all connected here in construction across the Southeast. It was great to find these connections at the Summer Meeting, and I look forward to meeting more of our construction compatriots at future gatherings!