The recently held 2023 US’ Advanced Textiles Association’s (ATA) Geosynthetics conference, co-hosted with the International Erosion Control Association’s (IECA) annual conference and expo, brought together the geotechnical industry as well as the erosion, sediment control, and stormwater industry. The expo had around 1,800 attendees and 186 exhibits.

The workshops, short courses, special and technical sessions covered everything from AASHTO methods to zero-leak containment facilities. Subjects discussed this year included erosion and sediment control, dewatering tube systems, segmental retaining walls, alternative backfill materials, hydraulic, and coastal applications, landfill covers and lining systems, water retention products and mining applications, and dozens of other geosynthetics-related topics, the company said in a press release.

Standout moments of the four-day conference included a standing-room-only crowd for the opening keynote by Scott Mensing, PE, PMP, and Colonel Travis Rayfield, PE, PMP, Army Corps of Engineers–Kansas City District. Their presentation detailed the reliability and resilience of the Kansas City Levees project.

The Geosynthetic Materials Association’s (GMA) biennial general membership meeting highlighted its current technical, educational and legislative activities with a detailed update on the federal, state and local lobby efforts. Sam Allen, president of the International Geosynthetic Society (IGS), was the featured speaker and provided an update on the IGS as well as a presentation entitled ‘Bringing Geosynthetic Contributions to Life’.

A few other popular activities included a young professionals event, a Kansas City BBQ and Brew Tour, a Women in Geosynthetics Round Table Discussion, and the International Association of Geosynthetics Installers (IAGI) GeoGames reception.

Another popular portion of the conference was the Robert M Koerner lecture, where J P Giroud, ECP, Ph.D., discussed zero leak at end of geomembrane installation and service.

“I had an excellent experience at the Geosynthetics conference. The sessions I attended were very good and the attendees were engaged interacting with the speakers, moderators and panellists. This made for an excellent learning opportunity for all. As an instructor on one of the short courses I appreciated the interactivity with the attendees. It made the session much more valuable,” Daniel Alzamora, PE, FHWA resource centre, said.

“I appreciate that ATA conferences always seem to capture the past, present and future of geosynthetics and Geosynthetics 2023 in Kansas City did not disappoint. The conference kicked off with short courses and wrapped up with exhibitor showcases on the exhibit hall floor, highlighting the range of geosynthetics-related content we’ve come to expect from these biennial conferences,” Melissa Beauregard, Ph.D., PE, ENV SP, Exponent, said.