West Coast conference highlights best practices, innovations in sustainability for road owners and road builders alike Lanham, Md. — A focus on the sustainability of asphalt pavements is changing green construction for road owners and creating a new competitive edge for pavement contractors. The 2015 Asphalt Sustainability Conference, Oct. 13–14 in Portland, Ore., features learning and networking opportunities designed to help road owners and builders enhance existing sustainability programs to meet tomorrow’s demands, as well as to establish and leverage new sustainability efforts. The conference is organized by the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Washington State Department of Transportation Secretary Lynn Peterson, creator of the groundbreaking Oregon Department of Transportation’s Sustainability Plan, will keynote the conference with a discussion of the future of sustainable transportation. NAPA 2015 Chairman Michael Cote of The Lane Construction Corp. will open the conference with his perspective on sustainable transportation and what it means for sustainable development. The conference’s three half-day sessions are organized so that attendees can maximize opportunities to gain valuable information and insights that can be put to use in their own sustainability programs. Educational sessions are geared for contractors, department of transportation and public works personnel, construction managers, environmental managers, engineers, designers, specifiers, and decision-makers in the road construction sector. Speakers at the conference include acknowledged leaders in sustainability: Gina Ahlstrom, FHWA; Dr. Jeralee Anderson, Greenroads; Dr. Joe Mahoney and Dr. Stephen Muench, University of Washington; Dr. Amlan Mukherjee, Michigan Technological University; and Dr. Richard Willis, National Center for Asphalt Technology. Topics on the conference agenda include a discussion of FHWA’s Sustainable Pavements Program and the opportunities it creates, how to build a green construction business, sustainability innovations at asphalt plants, lessons learned about reclaimed asphalt pavement mixtures from the recent industry tour of Japan, the use of porous asphalt at the Port of Portland, long-life asphalt pavements, understanding life-cycle assessment and environmental product declarations, and the use phase of sustainable pavements. Asphalt Sustainability Conference attendees can earn up to 12 professional development hours (PDHs) during the meeting.

Winners Can Attend LDI 2015, ASLA Annual Meeting and Expo or Greenbuild International Conference and Expo Columbia, MD (August 19, 2015)—Global design software developer Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc. is committed to educating the next generation of emerging professionals because the future of creative design depends on their success. To help fulfill that mission, the company is awarding free conference passes and hotel stays to students who enter its Conference Pass Giveaway program. Winning students will gain industry knowledge and establish professional connections by attending one of three major industry conferences: • Live Design International (LDI) 2015, October 19-25, 2015 in Las Vegas, NV, attracts over 10,000 design professionals working in theatre, concerts, clubs, theme parks and houses of worship. The winner will see the latest gear in action and replenish their creativity. More than 350 companies exhibit, providing live demos and the opportunity for face-to-face discussions. • ASLA Annual Meeting and Expo, November 6-9, 2015 in Chicago, IL, is the largest tradeshow in the landscape architecture industry. With more than 500 exhibitors each year, it provides the opportunity for attendees to experience new products, services, technology applications and design solutions. • Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, November 18-20, 2015 in Washington, DC, offers three days of inspiring speakers, industry showcases, LEED workshops and tours of Washington, DC's green buildings. The event is the largest green building conference and expo in the world and is the premier event where designers renew their commitment to sustainable building. For a chance to win a free registration and hotel stay at one of these three events, interested students must “Like” Vectorworks on Facebook, as well as write a 300- to 500-word statement about why they want to attend a specific conference and how they believe it will benefit them professionally. The program is open to U.S. students only. Applicants do not have to currently use a Vectorworks software program in order to be eligible. “LDI, ASLA and Greenbuild are the perfect platforms for students to deepen their knowledge of their chosen craft while networking with world-renowned experts,” said Alice Lowy, U.S. marketing manager at Nemetschek Vectorworks. “We therefore provide a fun, easy way for students to attend these events for free and enable them to propel their skills forward while learning about exciting developments in the design industry." Students may visit the link below to read the entry rules and submit applications, which are due September 7, 2015.