Message from the Chair

Steve Dedman, Zachry

First of all, I would like to congratulate Mike Lowder and the 2011 ECC Executive Board and Executive Advisory Committee for their many accomplishments and successful leadership of ECC this past year. Our 43rd conference in Phoenix was a huge success, including a record number of program sponsors and attendees. Most importantly, last year’s conference received a record level of positive feedback from conference participants.

It’s a pleasure and honor to have the opportunity to chair this year’s Executive Board and to work with such a talented and committed group of professionals that serve on the Board and Executive Advisory Committee. These individuals serve strictly on a volunteer basis and share a common desire to advance the mission of the ECC Association, which seeks to improve capital project results and global competitiveness of member companies, and endeavors to provide industry leaders with one of the best and most relevant conferences each year.

Our 2012 conference will be held at the luxurious JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, located in San Antonio, Texas, September 5 – 8 . The Marriott’s 265,000 square feet of meeting space, 36-hole golf course, numerous relaxing pools and lavish spa will serve as a fitting backdrop to this year’s events. Please mark your calendars today and plan to attend this year’s conference – and invite your associates to join us.

We are well into the planning process for the 2012 Conference Schedule, and it is shaping up to be another excellent ECC program. The theme, “Riding the Wave – Capitalizing on the Velocity of Change”, reflects the importance of corporate agility in today’s market environment. We expect to again engage fantastic keynote speakers including industry leaders, geopolitical experts and specialists that will promote thought leadership by exploring opportunities associated with an ever-changing environment.   We are now busy planning our Plenary Sessions; determining the Breakout Forum Topics; and seeking nominations for the Annual ECC Achievement Award (distinguished individual) and the Annual Spirit of ECC Award (innovative team or group).

>The Future Leaders Program is an integral component of ECC. We are pleased to have had more than 80 Future Leaders from our sponsoring companies engaged in the association throughout the past year. These emerging leaders enjoyed opportunities to meet and interact with industry leaders; network with peers from other member companies; receive training in international communications, ethics and leadership; and participate in the development and presentation of two conference breakout forums – all of which were intended to promote individual development and sustain the long-term leadership of our industry.

On behalf of the Executive Board and the Executive Advisory Committee, l would like to thank our sponsor companies for their continuing support of the ECC Association and Annual Conference – and for their involvement in our Future Leaders Program.  If you are not a sponsor company, I encourage you to look into the benefits that a sponsorship can offer your emerging leaders.

I wish all of you a safe and successful 2012 and look forward to seeing you September 5 – 8 in San Antonio.

Steve Dedman
ECC Chair, 44th Annual Conference