Next Session #25 to Take Place This Spring in Nashville, Tennessee
Mark your calendars!  The next SDC Session, #25, will take place May 21-22 in Nashville, TN, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.  Items to be discussed at the meeting include the new, updated SDC structure, which was an outcome of SDC's Strategic Planning Session in late 2008; Vision 2020; Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC) from a business perspective; and Building Information Modeling (BIM).

Please note that the SDC meeting will take place the Thursday and Friday before Memorial Day.  Consider extending your stay at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, as it is a beautiful and premier destination to celebrate the long holiday weekend with family.  This resort includes a spa, nightclub, indoor and outdoor pools, ten premier restaurants, and is located next to the Grand Ole Opry.  In addition, the resort is located on the banks of the Cumberland River, and is just a short drive or riverboat ride away from all the shopping, dining, and entertainment that downtown Nashville has to offer.

Because of the holiday weekend, SDC has negotiated a special group rate that extends through Memorial Day.  We hope you'll considering staying for the weekend after the SDC meeting!

The hotel cut-off date for the special rate is April 20.  For more information, and to register and book your hotel reservations, please visit: http://www.concretesdc.org/meetings/session25/generalinfo.htm. 

ACI Spring Convention to Feature LEED Workshop
During ACI's Spring 2009 Convention in San Antonio, Texas, this March, USGBC will be presenting a LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations Technical Review Workshop.  The workshop will take place Saturday, March 14, 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Marriott Rivercenter in San Antonio.  

SDC members, ACI members, and convention attendees who are seeking to increase their understanding of the LEED for New Construction Rating System and green building strategies, benefits, and resources, should consider attending this workshop.  Additionally, for anyone who is interested in becoming a LEED AP, this workshop will also help prepare you for the LEED Professional Acceditation Exam.

This full-day workshop will educate attendees on LEED credits and intents and on how all team members of the project can contribute to a project's LEED certification.  After attending this course, attendees will be aware of the changes to credits, prerequisites, and points in LEED 3.0, and understand the role that concrete can play in earning LEED points.

For more information on the workshop, and to register, please visit http://www.concrete.org/members/LEED-Seminar.htm. 

SDC's Sustainability (v7.3) Vision and Background Documents Available Online
You can now access SDC's Sustainability Vision and Background Documents are available online by visiting SDC's homepage here:  www.concretesdc.org. 

Thank You, Chuck and Ken! 
As you may know, Chuck Soeder and Ken Rear have recently stepped down from the SDC Executive Committee.  We would like to wish Chuck good luck in his new position with BASF's Automotive Refinishing and Industrial Coatings division.  We would also like to thank Ken and wish him the best in his retirement.  He will still be active in P2P activities, particularly as Chair of ACI's Committee ITG-8, Performance Criteria for Concrete Materials.  Thank you both for your dedicated service to SDC and the concrete industry!

SDC's Doug Sordyl to Receive USGBC Detroit Chapter Award 
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Detroit Regional Chapter will honor Douglas J. Sordyl, PE, LEED AP, with its Chapter Leadership Award.  Sordyl is ACI’s Managing Director of the Strategic Development Council and Managing Director of Marketing, Sales, & Industry Relations.  He is being recognized for “experienced dedication and leadership” provided during his service as a member and Treasurer of the chapter’s Board of Directors.  The award will be presented at the Engineering Society of Detroit Affiliate Council Gold Award Banquet on February 19, 2009.

SDC Member Profile

Sika Construction
Sika, represented by Bruce Strickland, has been a valuable asset to SDC.  "The information generated from SDC has become an integral part of the long range planning process at Sika Corp," said Bruce Strickland, National Marketing Manager of Sika.  "SDC has become a clearing house for new technology and innovation in the concrete industry. In the admixture business innovation and new technology is our lifeblood. The 'Concrete Sustainability – A Vision for the North American Concrete Industry' document has been a valuable tool in our long range planning for becoming a sustainable company. The time devoted to SDC has been one of our most profitable investments."

Sika specializes in construction chemicals and products specifically engineered for the concrete industry and operates in over 68 countries around the world.  
For more information on Sika Construction, visit www.sikaconstruction.com.