Geosynthetics April/May 2023 - 14

FROM THE
<<< SPEC IAL ADVERTI SEMENT >>>
Goin' to Kansas City for Geo '23
Co-sponsored conference with IECA offers great show for happy
and engaged attendees and exhibitors
By Kevin Kerfoot
T
he 2023 Advanced Textiles Association's (ATA) Geosynthetics Conference, held in
February in Kansas City, Mo., and co-hosted with the International Erosion Control
Association (IECA) Annual Conference and Expo, brought together those from the geotechnical
industry as well as the erosion, sediment control and stormwater industry. The
combined conference attracted more than 1,800 combined attendees and 186 combined
exhibits for double the exhibition area for both associations.
The workshops, short courses, special and technical sessions and panel roundtable discussions
covered everything from AASHTO methods to zero-leak containment facilities.
Subjects discussed this year included erosion and sediment control, dewatering tube systems,
segmental retaining walls, alternative backfill materials, hydraulic and coastal applications,
landfill covers and lining systems, water retention products and mining applications, and
dozens of other geosynthetics-related topics.
" I appreciate that ATA conferences always seem to capture the past, present, and future
TOP A standing-room-only crowd was
on hand for the opening keynote by
Scott Mensing, PE, PMP, and Colonel
Travis Rayfield, PE, PMP, Army Corps of
Engineers-Kansas City District. Their
presentation detailed the reliability
and resilience of the Kansas City
Levees project.
BOTTOM Exhibit hall floor
demonstrations are always a highlight
of the Geosynthetics Conference.
Photos: Ian Gilhoolie
of geosynthetics and Geosynthetics 2023 in Kansas City did not disappoint, " said Melissa
Beauregard, Ph.D., PE, ENV SP, Exponent, Inc. " The conference kicked off with Short
Courses and wrapped up with Exhibitor Showcases on the exhibit hall floor, highlighting the
range of geosynthetics-related content we've come to expect from these biennial conferences. "
Attendee and exhibitor Russell Amidon with Industrial and Environmental Concepts Inc.
(IEC) in Lakeville, Minn., not only was there to exhibit but was also interested in seeing the
other trade show booths. " I just think it's great that we as a whole get together once a year to
discuss the future of our industry, " Amidon said. " I've been doing liners since 1988 and the
technology just keeps changing and that's how we learn about it here first. "
Tommy Richardson with JW Faircloth & Son Inc. in Hillsborough, N.C., was also attending
the conference for the first time to learn about what people are doing in the industry on the IECA
and erosion control side of things. " I just came on board with my company, so it's a learning
curve to try and figure out what the industry is about and learn as much as I can while I'm here. "
Trinette Ballard, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Local Aid Support program
manager, Office of Innovation and Workforce Solutions, was on the exhibit floor to demonstrate
the many functions of the FHWA's Geosynthetics Installation Notes Tracker mobile application
and how it can assist with road construction and maintenance projects. " The enthusiasm around
the app was exciting, " Ballard said. " I heard from many of the attendees that this is something
they felt was needed in the industry. We are working with several entities we met during the
conference to provide even more information in the future using the mobile application. What
we have available right now in the Apple Store and Google Play Store is just the beginning. "
Other highlights
Standout moments of the four-day conference included a standing-room-only crowd for
the opening keynote by Scott Mensing, PE, PMP, and Colonel Travis Rayfield, PE, PMP,
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Geosynthetics | April May 2023

Geosynthetics April/May 2023

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