EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR UPDATE Summer Work or Play? With summer officially starting as I write this message, and a month of travel behind me, I realize that while everyone is planning summer vacation travel, I’m look- ing forward to staying home most of July and August — just sitting on the deck or fishing in the Atlantic. However, I definitely recommend visiting Stockholm, Sweden; Kraków, Poland or Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA, if you didn’t attend one of the recent events there…or even if you did. These were my travel destinations in late May and June while managing the DFI-EFFC conference, co-organizing the ADSC-DFI-ISM workshop and attending the GeoCoalition meeting. I was very fortu- nate that while working late hours to ensure the events went off without a hitch, there was still time for socializing with attendees and exploring the areas’ many attractions. Our conference in Stockholm (see pages 25-26) and the 12th International Workshop on Micropiles in Kraków (see page 31) were successful from both technical and organizational standpoints, based on delegate feedback. The events also provided interaction among people not only from the local area, but also from around the world. The two international events combined brought together industry members from 40 countries, while the GeoCoalition meeting allowed time to interact with geoprofessional organization leaders here in the states (GeoInstitute, ADSC, PDCA, AEG, ASFE and USUCGER). While attending conference sessions and interacting with attendees and exhibitors in Stockholm, I heard information on deep Save The Date foundation practices and codes/ standards in various countries as well as innovative machinery and materials. The conference banquet was held in the Operakälleran, an active Opera House in the center of the city. I also visited Gamla stan (Old Town) — a quaint cobble- stoned pedestrian area for shopping, dining and viewing archi tectural wonders; the Vasa museum — an exhibit of the resur- rected warship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1628; and Skansen — an open air museum of a 19th century village with a zoo, where lemurs walk right up to you. I recommend all of these places. In Kraków, information on micropiles Theresa Rappaport Executive Director [email protected] I also travelled to one of my The two international events combined brought together industry members from 40 countries was abundant, both at the short course, where mostly local attendees learned from international experts, and during the workshop, where the experts learned from each other and discussed different micropile techniques used from country to country. The sightseeing was a bit more somber with trips to Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, Schindler’s Factory, Kazimierz (Jewish District) and our dinner at the Galicia Jewish Museum. We also toured interesting historical areas including the Wawel Castle, Wieliczka Salt Mine and Rynek Square. Kraków’s countryside of farmland was beautiful and relaxing to drive through. November 6, 2014 DFI Educational Trust Annual Gala Fundraising Dinner to benefit the DFI Educational Trust Stanley Merjan CCNY Civil Engineering Scholarship Liberty House, Jersey City, NJ favorite areas in the states, Co l o r a d o S p r i n g s . Between learning about the upcoming activities and goals of our “sister” organizations, we found time to climb to an eleva- tion of 14,110 ft (4,300 m) to Pike’s Peak on the cog railway. We dined facing the beautiful Cheyenne Mountains while discussing ways our groups can collaborate to provide more value and additional benefits to our members. Given this travel log, I suggest you consider one of these places for a vacation. I also recommend that you combine vacation sightseeing with attendance at DFI’s upcoming events. You’ll be receiving this magazine just as we host the Slope Stabilization and Excavation Support Seminar in Pittsburgh, Pa. If you are attending, plan to visit one of the many museums, catch a Pirates baseball game, take a brewery tour or drive around and see the 446 bridges in the city. Or plan to attend the DFI-PDCA Driven Pile Seminar on September 9 in Austin, Texas, where you can visit the Texas State Capitol building or enjoy the nightlife on 6th street. We’ll be in New Delhi, India for the DFI of India Conference. There is a lot to see in the capital of India including Red Fort, the India Gate, and many temples. Wherever your travels take you, I hope you enjoy the hazy, lazy days of summer. DEEP FOUNDATIONS • JULY/AUG 2014 • 9
