ARTBA Joins “International Bridge Conference” as Strategic Partner
2009 Conference Hosts Inaugural ARTBA Bridge Policy & Promotion Council Meeting
Continuing its historic leadership in the bridge sector, ARTBA announced June 16 the launch of a new strategic partnership with the International Bridge Conference (IBC) and the Engineers Society of Western Pennsylvania (ESWP). The 2009 IBC event held June 14-17 in Pittsburgh, Pa., also hosted the first membership meeting of the ARTBA Bridge Policy & Promotion Council (BPPC), a new industry body created to help boost investment, promote new products and technologies, enhance industry communications and educate the public and government officials about the importance of the bridge sector.
ARTBA and IBC/ESWP have entered a multi-year partnership to develop services and programs to include safety and regulatory training sessions, and marketing campaigns to support future IBC events. Both organizations will jointly develop conference curriculum, product education and industry promotional material to increase bridge contractor participation.
“ARTBA has a century-long record of service to the bridge sector, and with the creation of the Bridge Policy & Promotion Council, we aim to bring even more attention and investment to the bridge market. This work fits hand-in-glove with the unique leadership of the International Bridge Conference and will help enhance IBC—the world’s leading event for bridge sector professionals and companies,” said ARTBA President & CEO Pete Ruane.
The ARTBA-IBC partnership will be overseen by BPPC leaders including Bob Luffy, president & chief executive officer of Corapolis, Pa.-based American Bridge Company. Luffy is also 2009 ARTBA Materials & Services Division president. Other BPPC stakeholders include principals from Figg Engineering Group, the Walsh Group, Granite Construction, HNTB, Skanska, Traylor Brothers, Flatiron, Parsons Brinckerhoff, CH2M HILL, the Vecellio Group and Corman Construction.
BPPC leaders have already begun addressing numerous federal policy and regulatory issues and have met with House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D-Minn.) to discuss bridge issues, program reforms, and legislative priorities for the 2009 highway/transit bill authorization expecting Congressional action this summer.
“ARTBA is the only organization that has a membership base that brings professionals from all bridge market sectors together in united purpose. We are pleased that IBC, starting with the twenty-seventh annual conference in 2010, will be part of the ARTBA agenda,” said Louis J. Ruzzi, P.E., IBC Conference General Chairman.
Established in 1902, ARTBA represents the U.S. transportation design and construction industry in the Nation’s Capital.