11/02/2026
This month, I would like to discuss one of the most important components of ACI’s success and influence: our local Chapters. Throughout my year as President, I have frequently spoken about priorities that I believe are critical to the future of the Institute. Among those priorities are promoting constructability and practicality in everything we do and maintaining a strong focus on the people who make up ACI. Local ACI Chapters play a vital role in both objectives.
While ACI is known globally for its codes, standards, certifications, educational programs, and Concrete Conventions, most of the individuals who benefit from these resources never attend a national ACI Convention or a major Institute event. They are engineers, contractors, inspectors, educators, manufacturers, and students working in their local communities every day. They are the people who design structures, build projects, teach future professionals, and apply ACI knowledge in the field.
For that reason, I have made it a priority during my presidency to engage directly with stakeholders where they live and work. In addition to participating in my local ACI Houston Chapter activities, I have visited the ACI Northeast Texas, Louisiana, Carolinas, Kansas, and Missouri Chapters, as well as Student Chapters and industry events such as the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC) Annual Conference. Internationally, I have engaged with members of the ACI Italy Chapter; traveled to Dubai, UAE, to meet with leaders from ACI Chapters throughout the Middle East; and participated in the ACI International Summit Chapter Roundtable with representatives from the Asia-Pacific region. These interactions have reinforced an important lesson that, regardless of geography, ACI members share a common commitment to advancing concrete knowledge, improving project outcomes, developing future leaders, and serving their communities.
During many of these visits, I have presented on constructability and collaboration. The best projects are delivered when owners, engineers, contractors, material suppliers, and other stakeholders work together early and often. While codes and standards provide the foundation, their true value is realized when they are successfully implemented in the field. Local Chapters provide an ideal forum for these conversations and help ensure that ACI remains connected to the practical realities of concrete construction.
Today, ACI has 52 domestic Chapters, 46 International Chapters, and 382 current Student Chapters around the globe, for a total of 480 ACI Chapters worldwide. Together, they form a global network that extends ACI’s influence far beyond our headquarters and Conventions.
Each Chapter operates under its own volunteer leadership while benefiting from the resources, support, and technical expertise of ACI. Many Chapters administer ACI Certification programs, provide technical presentations, offer professional development opportunities, and facilitate networking among industry professionals. These activities connect ACI’s technical expertise to the people who apply it every day and create valuable opportunities for the exchange of ideas across the concrete community.
Equally important, ACI Chapters help develop the next generation of industry leaders. Student Chapters introduce future engineers and construction professionals to our industry, connect them with experienced practitioners, and create opportunities for mentorship and professional growth. They play a vital role in attracting talented individuals to the concrete industry and fostering their long-term involvement in ACI.
As we look toward the future, we must continue creating excitement in the next generation about careers in concrete, ensuring our technical information remains practical and constructible, and staying connected to the professionals who rely on ACI resources every day.
Our Chapters are the bridge that makes all this possible. They provide a direct connection between ACI and the local professionals and communities we serve. They help us understand industry needs, deliver technical knowledge, support workforce development, and strengthen relationships among the many disciplines that contribute to successful concrete construction. As President, I have been continually impressed by the dedication of our Chapter volunteers and leaders, whose efforts are essential to advancing ACI’s mission at the local level.
ACI’s strength has always been its people. Our Chapters ensure that strength is present not only at ACI Conventions and major events, but in communities around the world every day. They will remain essential to advancing our mission for generations to come.
– ACI President Scott Anderson
➡️ Read the Full Memo Here: https://www.concrete.org/newsandevents/news/newsdetail.aspx?f=51752144
