2020 Summer Newsletter

IN THIS ISSUE

President’s Message
27th Annual Conference & Expo Postponed
Virtual Connections Event
COVID and Our Industry in the Mid-Atlantic
MAC Wins Award in Raleigh
2021 MAC IECA Annual Conference

President’s Message

Hello MAC members!

The President’s Message is usually just a couple paragraphs giving a cheery summary of what has been going on lately and what we are looking forward to. However it will take historians many years to unpack all the events of the past few months. A perfect storm of a global pandemic, extreme economic issues and unemployment, racial tensions and protests has made life feel pretty strange lately to say the least. Of course some industries have been hurt worse than others, and some have thrived in this new world. While the construction and environmental worlds have been more stable than most, we have all still had our lives change in a multitude of ways. For those of you that have experienced job loss or facing medical issues, my heart goes out to you. Some may see being a member of IECA as a luxury, or maybe your company is cutting back on allowing employees to be involved with trade organizations. But I’ve never been more proud to be a part of IECA and to lead our Chapter through this perfect storm. This is when we are needed the most. The folks at IECA headquarters in Denver have been incredible, agile and embraced this new world of Zoom calls and online resources. If you haven’t been keeping track of what IECA and individual chapters are providing for members, I highly recommend browsing their website when you have a free moment. Its more important than ever to let us help you, continue educating yourself with the latest news and training from our industry.

While I am extremely disappointed that MAC-IECA will not have an in-person conference this fall for the first time in decades, our replacement Virtual Connection event during that same week in September will still be jam packed with valuable content, education and speakers. We will get through this together! And then we will throw the biggest conference ever in September 2021 right here in my backyard in Northern Virginia. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if anybody has any questions or needs help in any way – dfisk@wetlands.com. We are here for you!

~Dan Fisk
President – IECA Mid-Atlantic Chapter

27th Annual MAC IECA Conference & Expo Postoned

MAC-IECA Conference Update:

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the postponement of the of the 27^th Annual MAC-IECA Conference scheduled for September 15-17, 2020 in Dulles, VA . Over the past few months, the MAC-IECA Conference Committee has coordinated with IECA staff in monitoring developments related to COVID-19. With many regions and companies recommending self-quarantine and strongly advising travel restrictions, it is in the best interest of our attendees, exhibitors, presenters and communities that we postpone the conference until 2021 at the same Hilton location in Dulles, VA. In lieu of this news, we are excited to let you know that we will be re-directing our energy to provide you with a stellar virtual event in September 2020 that will allow for presentations, information sharing, PDH opportunities, networking interactions, exhibitor platforms and other virtual components that will be new to most of us but will provide an alternative delivery of conference content during these unprecedented times. Stay tuned as details will soon be announced…we hope you’ll join us as we all get through this together!

-Gerry Hammel, Conference Committee Chair

The MAC IECA is moving to a virtual connection in lieu of the Washington DC conference on September 17 & 18.

MAC IECA Virtual Connection – Keeping the Mid-Atlantic Waters Clean

Join us for the MAC IECA Virtual Connection from the comfort of your home or office. This event offers six (6) live webinars and five (5) on-demand presentations at no cost to IECA members and low cost for nonmembers. This series will focus on issues around the Mid-Atlantic Region of the US. Each event will be presented by a Mid-Atlantic industry leader and take a look at different keeping waters clean throughout the region. Industry professionals will leave this event with practical knowledge that can be applied to their job. This event is free to members and low cost for nonmembers.

MAC IECA Virtual Connection Info

COVID and Our Industry in the Mid Atlantic

We asked some MAC members how COVID has affected their businesses and work life and wanted to share their thoughts! Here are a couple of the responses we received.

“As a warehousing distributor of a wide array of geotextiles, erosion and sediment control products, Jobsite Products, Inc. was deemed essential by Pennsylvania government and fortunately able to remain operational during the Covid-19 shutdowns. While the early days were not typical of Spring in PA, we moved into a relatively steady April servicing jobs that were permitted to work. Since the total lifting of the construction ban, we have seen high demand for products as contractors and landscapers get back to work and make up for lost time. As a company, we switched our models to “curbside” service and delivery by appointment. We have minimized personnel in the building, wear masks, and follow CDC disinfection guidelines.”

Brooke E. Schiavone, President, Jobsite Products, Inc.

“JMD Company has been faced with tremendous challenges with relation to the COVID-19 pandemic as I’m sure is everyone within the industry. We have been forced to change our way of business and the way we think about social distancing and keeping employees and customers safe. We have remained open while reducing our on-site office staff to meet guidelines and certain criteria set within the states we operate. One of the most challenging situations we face is determining the next step, because each state and region may have their own set of guidelines. This is one of the more difficult situations to manage and be able to communicate to a customer base. We remain positive that this situation is eventually behind us and the industry continues to grow and thrive.“

Mark Hardek, JMD Company

2020 MAC IECA at IECA Annual Conference

In February at the IECA Annual Conference in Raleigh, the MAC IECA won a Chapter Award for Best Career Development! Congrats to all members who made this award possible. We couldnt have done it without our membership.

2021 MAC IECA Annual Conference & Expo

Save the Date for the 27th Annual MAC-IECA Conference September 2021 in Dulles, VA (DC Metro) September 14-16, 2021. Hosted at the beautiful Hilton Washington Dulles Airport Hotel – we are taking the 27th Annual MAC Conference to the next level in 2021.

The conference will kick off with the IECA MAC Annual Tom Masters Memorial Golf Tournament followed by two days of regional training, an expo hall to catch up on the latest in erosion control and stormwater management products and networking opportunities for industry professionals. The conference will conclude with an afternoon field tour on September 17th. Hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of IECA and IECA Region One, the conference is a key industry event in the region!

27th Annual MAC-IECA Conference Info