10/21/2026
Young members, students, and emerging professionals gathered at the Fall 2026 ACI Concrete Convention in Atlanta, GA, for a series of events focused on professional development, technical engagement, networking, and opportunities to build lasting connections within the concrete industry.
The weekend began Saturday, October 10, with the ACI Georgia Chapter’s Concrete Kick-Off Event, where approximately 55 young members gathered to watch Atlanta United play. The event provided an informal setting for young professionals to network, strengthen existing relationships, and connect with peers from the local area. The gathering was part of the Student and Young Member Activities Committee’s (SYFAC) continued efforts to support local chapter young member outreach initiatives and encourage greater engagement among emerging professionals.
On Sunday, October 11, SYFAC sponsored the first-ever ACI Technical Committee Fair, featuring representatives from 14 different technical committees. Throughout the day, students, young professionals, and first-time convention attendees had opportunities to speak one-on-one with committee representatives to learn about committee missions, goals, and opportunities to participate and serve. The fair offered attendees a practical introduction to ACI’s technical committee structure and helped connect emerging professionals with opportunities to contribute to the development of industry knowledge, standards, and resources.
On Monday, October 12, the S806 Young Member Activities Committee hosted its annual 'What I Wish I Knew' session, focusing on Emerging Technologies in Concrete. The program featured perspectives from professionals working across construction and concrete technology, highlighting how data science and emerging technologies are influencing the industry.
Nearly 100 attendees participated in the session, including early-career professionals and seasoned industry veterans interested in learning more about the impact of machine learning on concrete construction and related practices. Held each fall, What I Wish I Knew is designed to provide young members with professional development opportunities, practical industry insights, and exposure to emerging topics that can shape their careers.
Also on Monday afternoon, the Young Member Activities Committee presented a mini-session titled A Guide to ACI Documents for Students and Young Professionals. The session offered attendees practical guidance on participating in ACI committee activities and making the most of convention experiences. Together, the presentations encouraged students and young professionals to take advantage of ACI’s technical resources, committee involvement, and professional networking opportunities.
In addition to the educational and networking activities, two young professionals received complimentary convention registration to attend the Atlanta convention through sponsorship from the Women in ACI Committee.
The recipients were:
• Grace Heglas, Structural Engineer at KPFF Consulting Engineers in Nashville, Tennessee.
• Kamilla Wieckowski, Graduate Diagnostics Engineer at Walter P Moore in Chicago, Illinois.
The program helped reduce financial barriers to convention participation and provided both recipients with access to valuable technical programming, professional connections, and career development opportunities.
As the Institute looks ahead to its March 2027 convention in Las Vegas, young professionals have additional opportunities to engage, contribute, and help shape the future of the industry. The S806 Young Member Activities Committee meets twice a year during the ACI Concrete Convention, with its meetings held on Monday afternoons. The committee continues to welcome applications from individuals interested in helping integrate young members into the concrete industry and strengthen engagement across the ACI community.
The committee is also soliciting abstracts for consideration for the Young Member Poster Session at the next ACI Concrete Convention, scheduled for March 21–24, 2027, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. ⌛The abstract submission and application for free convention registration are due January 15, 2027.⌛
Young professionals interested in sharing their work, research, or technical insights are encouraged to consider this opportunity to contribute to the convention program and connect with fellow industry professionals. ➡️ Learn more about ACI young member opportunities: https://www.concrete.org/students/youngmember
