I hope you find this edition of PileDriver effectively conveys with real-world examples of how we are moving the association and industry forward the goals and objectives of our organization that we set at the beginning of the year.
The featured articles on timber, steel and concrete pile testing, and Van Komurka's discussion of how an effective pile testing program can result in overall project savings, help advance our goal of spreading the news about the benefits of driven piles as a viable and economical deep foundation solution. Our project and member spotlight articles showcase how our members are making meaningful impacts in their areas and striving for continuous improvement every day.
Please review the information about our upcoming Design and Installation of Cost Effective Piles (DICEP) conference, which will be held in Baltimore, Md., Sept. 19 and 20, 2018. Your attendance and participation in the lectures, presentations, display booths and networking events will help spread the benefits of driven piles as a viable and economical deep foundation solution and support of excavation system, and drive new membership. I've always found this to be a great event to get to know more members and openly share ideas and experiences that can help solve the problems we all see on our jobs every day. It's through the camaraderie and free exchange of ideas and experiences that we find common ground to advance our cause and interests and be better tomorrow than we were today. Please consider attending and refer to our website, www.piledrivers.org, for additional registration information.
The Membership Committee has been busy supporting chapter reorganization events in Florida, Texas and the Mid-Atlantic regions to revitalize our local presence. The participation and interest at these events so far has been amazing and energizing. Please keep your eye out for the next event in your area and bring along someone new to share the value you find in these PDCA experiences.
Scott Callaway, our vice president, Steve Hall, our executive director, and I will be attending the Geo-Coalition meeting in June 2018 with the International Association of Foundation Drilling, the Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists, Deep Foundations Institute, Geoprofessional Business Association, the Geo-Institute of ASCE and the United States Universities Council on Geotechnical Education and Research. By partnering with other like-minded industry associations, we can actively promote the need for infrastructure investment and other common goals. Joining with other industry organizations at events like this helps to raise the awareness of these issues and enhance PDCA's impact in the design and construction industry. I'll be able to share our new joint initiatives with you in our next issue of PileDriver. 
Our momentum and influence as an organization is growing and it doesn't happen without dedicated members like you. We are off to a great start and we are moving forward in 2018. Thank you for your continued support and participation, and I hope to see you at DICEP in Baltimore in September. t