As this issue of Geosynthetics is released, IGS North America (IGS-NA) will be announcing its new board of directors. Elections took place in January 2023. The official passing of the gavel takes place at the in-person IGS-NA chapter meeting at Geosynthetics Conference in Kansas City, Mo. (February 5–8). If you are in Kansas City, as many readers will be, please connect with IGS-NA! A lot is taking place. We need your voice at the table.
Highlights for 2023 activities
Major Membership Drive: We will relaunch our website (igs-na.org) with a new design and new resources to serve our educational mission and increase networking among our individual and corporate benefactor members. Our goal is to be the largest, most vibrant chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society—especially with organizing the 5th Pan-American Conference on Geosynthetics (Toronto, Ont., Canada, 2024) and having recently been awarded the 13th International Conference on Geosynthetics (Montreal, Que., Canada, September 2026). If you are based in the U.S. or Canada, we encourage you to join our chapter and get involved.
Abstracts open for GeoAmericas 2024: IGS North America will host the 5th Pan-American Conference on Geosynthetics April 28–May 1, 2024, in Toronto. Share your expertise! The conference is open to members and non-members alike. Major topics include sustainability, energy, mining and transportation infrastructure. Visit www.geoamericas2024.org for more information.
The IGS North America Webinar Series: Our free, one-hour technical sessions continue. Visit the chapter website and follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates. Join the chapter for PDH credit on these live, virtual sessions.
Geosynthetics Conference 2023 (February 5–8, Kansas City): IGS North America is a partner to the event. Along with the Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA), IGS-NA is organizing the Student Research Showcase. Cash prizes and conference registrations are being awarded. Please pop by this special event during the conference!
GeoSaskatoon 2023 (October 1–4, 2023, Saskatchewan, Canada): IGS-NA is partnering with the Saskatoon Geotechnical Section of the Canadian Geotechnical Society (CGS) for GeoSaskatoon 2023. IGS North America is working with GeoSaskatoon on endeavors that will connect people during the conference, reconnect them in Toronto at GeoAmericas 2024, and further strengthen their bond at GeoMontreal 2024 (September 2024). Get involved with IGS North America today to get the earliest invites to these special crossover opportunities between IGS North America and the CGS.
Thank you for being part of this engineering community! Your work is important.
John Allen
IGS North America Past President