Editorial : September-October-2013

I’m finishing up this issue soon after returning from this year’s annual WEDA conference in Hawaii. I learn so much at these events It’s hard to remember it all so thankfully I can write it all down. I enjoyed meeting so many people who clearly enjoy what they do and genuinely have an interest in helping others in their field. I think associations give you something that your day-to-day job and your coworkers and other business partners can’t provide – the power of fellowship. We connect with people in many ways and at business conferences it’s over shared learning and commitment to what we love to do and always with a sense of fun and celebration for how hard we work elsewhere.

I was very humbled to accept the Lifetime Achievement award on behalf of Judith Powers the former IDR editor. I wish Judith could have accepted that award herself but I do know how much she deserved it how much she’s given to the industry and just how much she loves so many of you. She’s still around and everyone that told me to say hello to her (you are too many to remember) give her a call I’m sure she’d love to hear from you.

I always find conferences to be informative overwhelming fun and tiring. The WEDA conference was no let down. Thank you to everyone who took the time to introduce yourself to me or talk with me at your booths during coffee breaks after presentations or over sake. I’m amazed by the amount of brainpower that gets packed into one room at these events. But it’s not egos that keep groups like this thriving; it’s the desire to share what you know with others.

My first dredging event was the Dredging 2012 conference in San Diego last October. The first of the travel mandates had come down on the Corps before that conference and there was a clearly lighter Corps presence (many people were doing double presentation duty) but everyone had not yet been restricted so severely. Corps presence since then has diminished significantly. I’m new here but it’s clear what an integral part they play in this industry. I hope they can find a way to keep up the industry presence. We have an events page here because business happens where people meet. It’s easier more comfortable and sometimes more fun to do business in any way with people that you know. Keep connecting!

There’s never enough room in one issue to completely cover one event. With our Environmental Dredging special feature I have detailed coverage of WEDA’s environmental awards and a two-page highlight of the conference.

Thanks again for welcoming me .
Anna Townshend
Editor IDR