ROSEVILLE, Minn. — March 1, 2023 — The 2023 Advanced Textiles Association’s (ATA) Geosynthetics Conference took place Feb. 5–8, in Kansas City, Mo., and co-hosted with the International Erosion Control Association’s (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 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 had an excellent experience at the Geosynthetics Conference,” said Daniel Alzamora, PE, FHWA Resource Center. “The sessions I attended were very good and the attendees were engaged interacting with the speakers, moderators and panelists. This made for an excellent learning opportunity for all. As an instructor on one of the short courses I appreciated the interactivity with the attendees. It made the session much more valuable.”
“I appreciate that ATA conferences always seem to capture the past, present and future of geosynthetics and Geosynthetics 2023 in Kansas City did not disappoint,” said Dr. Melissa Beauregard, 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. I’m originally from the seed world so I’ve dealt with the seeding side but not so much the erosion control aspect, so I’m trying to learn that part as well. The whole show has been pretty neat and it’s fun to see everything and meet people.”
Exhibitor Dave McLaury with Demtech Services Inc. agreed stating: “The 2023 Geosynthetics Conference was a very well-attended event.” 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 at the Show
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, Army Corps of Engineers–Kansas City District. Their presentation detailed the reliability and resilience of the Kansas City Levees project.
The Geosynthetic Materials Association’s (GMA) biennial general membership meeting highlighted its current technical, educational and legislative activities with a detailed update on the federal, state and local lobby efforts. Sam Allen, president of the International Geosynthetic Society (IGS), was the featured speaker and provided an update on the IGS as well as a presentation entitled “Bringing Geosynthetic Contributions to Life.”
A few other popular activities included a young professionals event, a Kansas City BBQ and Brew Tour, a Women in Geosynthetics Round Table Discussion, and the International Association of Geosynthetics Installers (IAGI) GeoGames reception.
Another popular portion of the conference was the Robert M. Koerner lecture, where J.P. Giroud, ECP, Ph.D., discussed zero leak at end of geomembrane installation and service.
First-time attendee Joelle MacDonald, a senior civil engineer with Alberta Energy Regulator in Alberta, Canada, came down to the conference because she was really intrigued with learning about the geomembrane with zero leakage and the testing protocol. “I found both the lecture, as well as the workshops and exhibits to be really interesting,” MacDonald said. “I did the virtual conference in 2021, but there’s nothing like coming here physically to talk with people about actual projects. A highpoint was hearing J.P. Giroud talk because over the 30 years I’ve heard him do talks through the Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) and a lot of webinars, but actually coming in and hearing him speak—I was really impressed.”
Summing up the show, Abigail Gilson with TRI Environmental, Inc. said: “The Geosynthetics 2023 conference provided a targeted audience of consultants, regulators, and contractors for geosynthetics products and services who were eager to learn. Teaching a short course was an effective way to provide those professionals with the tools they need to succeed on the job and the technical paper presentations provided the means to let them know about new technologies and improved methodologies. When individuals know more and use that knowledge to do better, the whole industry benefits.”
Geotechnical Frontiers 2025 will take place at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Ky., March 2–5, 2025.
Posted: March 1, 2023
Source: The Advanced Textiles Association (ATA)
