AACE Bulletin
Bulletin Section News for January 2025
AACE International sections from around the world are encouraged to submit write-ups and photos of their monthly section meetings and other activities. For the January 2025 Source, submissions were received from the Boston, Brazil, Houston Gulf Coast, and Toronto sections..
Boston Section
The Boston Section’s annual social was sponsored in October 2024 at Topgolf in Canton, MA. Attendees enjoyed the facility and its recreational offerings. Topgolf is a sprawling entertainment venue with a high-tech driving range and a swanky lounge with drinks and games.
The Boston Section welcomed attendees to its annual social event in October 2024 with a welcome sign at Topgolf. The event was well attended, and attendees enjoyed delicious food, friendly competition, and lively networking.
Attending the Boston Section’s annual social in October 2024 were: Brian Sullivan of PMA Consultants, Dr. Nakisa (Niki) Alborz of Exponent, Rick Treseler of PMA Consultants, and Ammar Altuwaiti of Urban Solutions
Attending the Boston Section’s annual social in October 2024 were: Shabeer Parathodi or RINA North America, Betsy Westergren of RINA North America, John O’Connor of RINA North America – Treasurer of Boston Section, John Morton of STV – VP of Boston Section, and Ammar Altuwaiti of Urban Solutions
In November 2024, the Boston Section members and guests attended a tour of 10 World Trade Center. This facility is a new nexus for wellness and connection in Boston’s Seaport District, one of the world’s most forward-thinking and dynamic submarkets.
Boston Section members and guests in November 2024 toured the 10 World Trade Center. They learned that the construction management for 10 World Trade is a partnership between Suffolk Construction and H.J. Russell. From the eco-friendly redesign of World Trade Center Avenue to smart, energy-saving building features, 10 World Trade is unparalleled in its dedication to sustainability and wellness.
The Boston Section’s fall 2024 event lineup was fantastic, offering both professional insights and opportunities for social connection.
In October 2024, the section hosted its annual social at Topgolf in Canton, MA. The event was a great success, with members enjoying an evening of delicious food, friendly competition, and lively networking. Sponsored by PMA Consultants, RINA North America (formerly Patrick), and J.S. Held LLC, the social event provided a relaxed setting for members to unwind and strengthen relationships within the AACE community.
In November 2024, the Boston Section offered a more technical experience with a tour of the 10 World Trade Center project hosted by Suffolk Construction. Participants gained a behind-the-scenes look at this engineering marvel, which dramatically expands in size as it rises. The tour was followed by a presentation by Jawahar Maran, PE CCP PSP, who discussed DSAA-4282: Leveraging Data Analytics in Construction Projects to Improve Schedule Predictability and Stakeholder Relationships. Originally featured at the AACE 2024 Conference & Expo, this session focused on how data analytics can enhance schedule reliability and foster stronger stakeholder collaboration, providing attendees with practical tools for their projects.
These events highlight the Boston Section’s commitment to offering a well-rounded experience, combining technical learning with opportunities to network. Watch for future opportunities to engage with cutting-edge topics and connect with peers in the industry: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aaceboston
Brazil Section
At the Brazil Section, shown from the left are David Chigne – Region 10 – director, Ilma Trindade – the Brazil Section’s President, Betzaida Méndez – the Colombia Section’s Past President, and Aldo Mattos – the Brazil Section’s Past President.
The Brazil Section sponsored a November 2024 section conference. It attracted more than 550 attendees. The two-day event was at Belo Horizonte which is the capital of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil’s second-most populous state. It is the first planned modern city in Brazil.
Ilma Trindade, Section’s President of the Brazil Section, gave the opening lecture at the 12th Annual Congress of the Brazil Section in November 2024.
David Chigne, director of AACE Region 10, presents at the 12th Annual Congress of the Brazil Section in November 2024. The title of his lecture was: “Year 2040: The Extinction of Cost Estimators? AACE as a Cornerstone in the Evolution of the Profession.”
The Brazil Section sponsored a November 2024 section conference. The conference location of Belo Horizonte is the capital city of southeastern Brazil’s Minas Gerais state. It is surrounded by mountains and has a population of 2.316 million.
The Brazil Section sponsored a November 2024 section conference. The event brought together professionals from diverse fields and highlighted the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange in advancing cost engineering and project controls across Brazil and Latin America.
The Brazil Section Conference was sponsored in November 2024 in Belo Horizonte. It set a historic milestone for the section and AACE International. With more than 550 attendees, this two-day event marked the largest AACE gathering outside the US. Bringing together professionals from diverse fields – builders, consultants, planners, and executives – the conference showcased the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange in advancing cost engineering and project controls across Brazil and Latin America.
The 2024 program covered a wide range of topics critical to the industry, including cost management, risk mitigation, contract administration, and emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence. Discussions also delved into ESG initiatives and macroeconomic trends shaping Brazil’s infrastructure landscape. The event featured esteemed speakers, interactive presentations, and lessons learned from real-world projects, offering invaluable insights to attendees.
Congratulations to the Brazil Section for its outstanding achievement, and a heartfelt thank you to the dedicated board members, speakers, and participants who made this event a success. Events like this reinforce AACE’s pivotal role in fostering professional excellence and addressing global challenges, including the need for qualified project professionals. Together, we continue to elevate industry standards and shape the future of our profession!
Houston Gulf Coast Section
The Houston Gulf Coast Section offers monthly technical meetings. Attendees can engage in discussions, ask questions, and network with experienced professionals who are eager to share their knowledge and advice.
The Houston Gulf Coast Section offers monthly technical meetings. These meetings feature technical presentations on topics like cost management, scheduling, and real-world project challenges.
Houston Gulf Coast Section’s Martin Darley speaks at the 2024 section symposium. Upcoming 2025 section activities and events are still in the planning stages. Follow the Houston Gulf Coast Section on its LinkedIn page.
The Houston Gulf Coast Section had a successful 2024 Section Conference. The section strives to offer a welcoming and casual environment for attendees at all of its activities and events throughout the year. The Section’s Oscar Agudelo is working on various student initiatives to expand section outreach and attract university students to attend and become involved with section activities and events.
The Houston Gulf Coast Section’s monthly technical meetings are an excellent opportunity for university students to learn about project controls and connect with industry professionals. These meetings feature technical presentations on topics like cost management, scheduling, and real-world project challenges, offering valuable insights into what a career in the field could look like. Beyond the presentations, attendees can engage in discussions, ask questions, and network with experienced professionals eager to share their knowledge and advice. It’s a welcoming and casual environment where students can gain industry insights, build connections, and explore career opportunities while developing skills to help them stand out in the job market. Upcoming events are still tentative. Follow the Houston Gulf Coast Section’s LinkedIn page.
Toronto Section
At the Toronto Section in November 2024. Behrad Kiafar is introduced as the speaker. Behrad’s topic was “Successful Implementation of Continuous Estimating for Target Costing in Collaborative Contracts.”
At the Toronto Section in November 2024. Behrad Kiafar presented a technical talk on “Successful Implementation of Continuous Estimating for Target Costing in Collaborative Contracts.”
Attending the Toronto Section’s November 2024 meeting, shown from left to right, are Ezgi Ozcan, Alper Yesil, Amin Atak, Ebru Kanlikoca, Ceren Tekin, Elif Vardar, and Aine Kiernan.
At the Toronto Section in November 2024. Behrad Kiafar presented a technical talk on “Successful Implementation of Continuous Estimating for Target Costing in Collaborative Contracts.”
Attending the Toronto Section’s November 2024 meeting, shown from left to right, are Andew Illingworth, Matthew Sutherland, Duan Van der Merwe, Owen McElhinney, and Artur Nimaev.
The Toronto Section, AACE’s largest section, hosted another successful monthly technical and networking event in November 2024. Sponsored by Turner & Townsend, one of AACE’s largest organizational members, the session featured Behrad Kiafar, who presented on “Successful Implementation of Continuous Estimating for Target Costing in Collaborative Contracts.”
Behrad Kiafar delivered a thought-provoking presentation exploring how continuous estimating informs design decisions in collaborative projects. Drawing from recent Canadian infrastructure projects, Behrad highlighted how continuous estimating can drive better design decisions in collaborative settings, offering practical strategies and real-world examples.
The Toronto Section continues to provide impactful events combining technical expertise with networking opportunities. Follow the Toronto section for more information about upcoming events: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aacetoronto/.