The Deep Foundations Institute (DFI) is hosting its 45^th Annual Conference on Deep Foundations at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, from Oct. 13–16, 2020.

The theme of the conference is People. Purpose. Passion. The conference will showcase a profession at the top of its game, highlighting the hard work, passion, connections, technologies and professionalism that drive the deep foundations industry worldwide.

Abstracts for original technical papers and panel discussions are being accepted through Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, at www.dfi.org/Annual2020 on the following topics:

• Mega and local projects (history and retrofitting, current projects)
• Adapting deep foundation techniques for innovative urban and waterfront construction solutions (ground improvement, excavation support, drilled and driven piling, dewatering, tunneling)
• Political influence on contract delivery (collaboration, logistics, financing, legal, teaming, contract vehicles, changed conditions)
• High-value subsurface characterization processes (investigation in complicated geology, program optimization, interpretation/recommendations)
• Development and use of national and state codes and standards
• Designing for complex geology, loading conditions and project constraints (geotechnical and geological challenges, existing structures, access, schedule, code requirements)
• QA/QC/monitoring during/after construction – relationships, qualifications, responsibilities
• Local and national/international case histories with lessons learned
• Other professional topics (ethics, safety, project management, deep foundations education)

The 50+ member organizing committee is being led by Conference Chair Sebastian Lobo-Guerrero, Ph.D., P.E., American Geotechnical & Environmental Services (A.G.E.S.), and Program Co-Chairs Jennifer Nicks, Ph.D., P.E., Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and Gregg Piazza, P.E., GeoStructures.

The event is expected to draw more than 1,000 engineers, contractors, government agency representatives, suppliers, manufacturers and academics involved in the deep foundations industry from around the world to share experiences, exchange ideas and learn about the current state of the practice.

In addition to the technical program, the conference includes keynote lectures; the Hal Hunt Lecture on Communications; Manufacturers, Suppliers and Service Providers Sessions; networking opportunities; a Student Activities Program; the City-by-City Companions’ Program; and more than 150 exhibits featuring new and innovative products and services.