ACEA Symposium 2026 Recap
Friday, May 1st 2026
7:00 AM – 5:15 PM
AT&T Conference Center & Rowling Hall
On-Demand sessions available May 26th
Connect with civl engineers at ACEA's annual Central Texas Infrastructure Design & Construction Symposium. Our conference provides an open forum for stakeholders involved in all aspects of Austin infrastructure and construction. Industry professionals and business development leaders network with local officials, recruit young talent, earn PD credits, share regulatory concerns, and promote business interests.
Symposium is a community-focused event and ACEA welcomes a wide range of professionals. We invite members, non-members, students, and all experience levels to attend.
Attendance Breakdown
44% Engineers
39% Government Employees
11% Associates/Suppliers
6% Contractors
| ACEA Symposium 2026 Civil Engineers earn PD Hours PDH PD Credits Austin Texas Play Pause |
OPENING SESSION
Developing a Succession of Leadership
Thomas Hunter - Liberty Hill City Manager
Sponsored by Advanced Drainage Systems
Thomas Hunter serves as the City Manager for the City of Liberty Hill with over 20 years of municipal experience. Over that time Thomas has held various roles, specializing in development, engineering services, public works, utility and power systems, as well as emergency management and emergency medical services. He began his career as a Public Utility Service Technician and has grown alongside cities experiencing rapid urban growth.
He holds a B.A. in Environmental Policy from Western Washington University and a Master's of Public Administration from the University of Texas, Arlington. Thomas has extensive experience across municipal services and has served on state-level boards, including as an Executive Member, Chair, and currently Vice Chair of the Advocacy Committee for the Texas City Managers Association.
KEYNOTE LUNCHEON
Hazard Mitigation
Michelle Ellis - TDEM Division Chief of Hazard Mitigation
Sponsored by Jones-Heroy & Associates
Michelle Ellis serves as Division Chief of the Hazard Mitigation Division at the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), where she provides strategic leadership in the administration of more than $1.7 billion in federal grant funding. She is responsible for guiding statewide efforts to reduce disaster risk, strengthen infrastructure resilience, and ensure effective allocation of resources to support hazard mitigation initiatives.
With nearly eight years of experience in emergency management, Ms. Ellis built a distinguished career marked by progressive leadership and commitment to public service. Prior to her current position, she served as Section Chief for Recovery and Mitigation in Region 4 (Southeast Texas), where she coordinated disaster recovery operations and worked with local jurisdictions to implement hazard mitigation strategies.
ADMISSION
All-Access Admission
14 PD Hours
- Attend 6 sessions on-site on 5/1/26
- Access 10 sessions on-demand on 5/26/26
- Earn up to 14 PD hours including Ethics
- Access mobile app
- Participate in live Q&A with speakers
- Receive swag bag and notebook
- Enjoy complimentary meals and drinks
On-Demand Only
10 PD Hours
- Access 10 sessions on-demand on 5/26/26
- Earn 10 PD hours Including Ethics
- Access mobile app
*Sessions will not be streamed live on May 1st.
*On-Demand access does not include interactive participation.
THANKS TO SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS
SPONSORS
EXHIBITORS
Tree Mann Solutions
Ferguson Waterworks
Hydro Source Services
GTS Technology Solutions
Austin Wood Recycling
Lime Association of Texas
Certified Arbor Care
Survey Works
Tensar, A Division of CMC
Capital Precast
CRC Concrete Raising
Contech Engineered Solutions
MLA Geotechnical
Terracon Consultants
Tiki Trucking
Advanced Drainage Systems
KLP Construction Supply
Ace Pipe Cleaning
Raba Kistner
THANK YOU SYMPOSIUM COMMITTEE
Tim Weston (Chair) - MLA Geotechnical
Elizabeth Boswell - City of Austin
Colby Harris - Gray Civil
Tiffany Leal - Chapman Firm
Aneil Naik - Drenner Group
Matthew Scrivener - Austin Land Innovations
Joydeep Goswami - City of Austin
Eric Gonzales - Ferguson Waterworks
Jeff Dunsworth - City of Pflugerville
Kamal Neupane - Langan Engineering
Marcus Rutte - Jones-Heroy & Associates
Catherine Manahan - Rinker Materials
David Peek - Quiddity
SCHEDULE
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP
ACEA is dedicated to empowering undergrad college students who are interested in the engineering and construction field of study. We invite undergrad students to attend Symposium and connect with industry professionals. Our sponsors and Board of Directors award qualified undergrad students with a Symposium Scholarship and All-Access Admission. In addition to the scholarship, we also offer discount student pricing to all undergraduates.
SYMPOSIUM STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS
- Network with civil engineers, contractors, and government officials
- Learn about the current challenges facing the civil engineering industry
- Discover career & volunteer opportunities
- Attend 6 sessions live and access 10 on-demand
- Browse exhibit hall, lounge, and massage station
- Enjoy breakfast, lunch, snacks, and swag bag
Student Scholarship deadline is March 27th, 2026.
Symposium Sponsors & Exhibitors
Sponsor & Exhibitor Tiers
- Premium Sponsors: Registration, Notebook, Name Badge
- Session Sponsors: Opening Session, Keynote, Education
- Social Sponsors: Breakfast, Hydration Station, Networking Break, Headshots
SESSION SPONSORS
Opening Session Sponsor $3,000 (1)- SOLD
*Members Only Exclusive
- Company name/logo on Opening Session presentation slides
- Choose to introduce Opening Session panelists OR
- Verbal recognition during Opening Session
- Company name/logo in print promotional materials
- Company name/logo in email and social promotions*
- Add swag item to conference tote bag
- Conference app sponsor profile*
Keynote Luncheon Sponsor - SOLD
*Members Only Exclusive
- Company name/logo on Keynote presentation slides
- Choose to introduce Keynote Speaker OR
- Verbal recognition during Keynote Luncheon
- Company name/logo in print promotional materials
- Company name/logo in email and social promotions*
- Add swag item to conference tote bag
- Conference app sponsor profile*
Education Sponsor $3,500 (5)
Road, Legal, Water, Infrastructure, Future Projects
- INCLUDED: 1 All-Access admission on-site and on-demand
- Company name/logo on slides for education track of your choice ( first come, first served)
- Company name/logo on On-Demand site ( 6 more months of impressions)
- Verbal recognition during intros for sponsored education track
- Prominent company name/logo displayed on signage
- Company name/logo in print promotional materials
- Company name/logo in email and social promotions*
- Add swag item to conference tote bag
- Conference app sponsor profile*
- Conference app menu banner logo*
SOCIAL SPONSORS
Breakfast Sponsor
$2,500
- Company name/logo on event signage
- Company name/logo in print promos
- Company name/logo in digital promos*
- Conference app sponsor profile*
Hydration Station Sponsor $2,000 (4)
- Company name/logo on event signage
- Company name/logo in print promos
- Company name/logo in digital promos*
- Conference app sponsor profile*
Networking Break Sponsor $1,500
- Company name/logo on event signage
- Company name/logo in print promos
- Company name/logo in digital promos*
- Conference app sponsor profile*
Margarita Social Sponsor $1,000 (4)
- Company name/logo on event signage
- Company name/logo in print promos
- Company name/logo in digital promos*
- Conference app sponsor profile*
Headshot Sponsor $700 (4)
- Company name/logo on event signage
- Company name/logo in print promos
- Company name/logo in digital promos*
- Conference app sponsor profile*
EXHIBITORS
Early Bird Member Exhibitor - $950* (16)
- 1 On-Site Admission
- 8’ x 30” skirted table and chair
- Optional Add-on: Electricity access for $120
- Optional Add-on: Exhibitor Personnel $100 Each (2 MAX)
Non-Member Exhibitor - $1,800 (2)
- 1 On-Site Admission
- 8’ x 30” skirted table and chair
- Optional Add-on: Electricity access for $120
- Optional Add-on: Exhibitor Personnel $100 Each (2 MAX)
EXHIBITOR POLICY
- Exhibitor Tables can have up to 3 personnel max. No additional personnel permitted.
- Exhibitors will remain at booth from 7am-5pm. Booth displays will stay up through Margarita Social.
- Exhibitor personnel are welcome to attend the Plenary and Keynote Luncheon, but will not receive on-demand access, or qualify for PD hours.
- Please keep this in mind when registering your team!
- View Exhibitor Prospectus for full details