Conference Summary:

The 2008 ASBPA Coastal Conference in Chicago was a big hit. Over 175 coastal engineers, scientists, environmentalists, politicians, contractors, designers, and more attended the three day conference at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza Hotel. All types of hot topics were explored: water quality, state policy, sustainable coastal management, resources, and more.

Dr. Michael Chrzastowski led field trips exploring the history and accomplishments of Chicago’s lakefront including the Burnham Plan which will be celebrating its 100th year anniversary next year. It was truly a hit of the conference and the hottest ticket in town.

Awards were given out at the banquet to recognize the hard work of our volunteers and peers:

• Lesley Ewing – 2008 Murrough P. O’Brien Award
• Marissa Yaters & Elizabeth Livermont – ASBPA 2008 Education Award
• Forest Park Beach, Lake Forest Illinois – ASBPA 2008 Coastal Project Award
• Nicole Elko – ASBPA 2008 Member of the Year
• Jeanah Bauer – ASBPA 2008 Unsung Hero Award

The banquet ended with a ceremonial passing of the beach pail to Nicole Elko who will be hosting the 2009 ASBPA Conference in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Thank you to our vendors and sponsors for making the 2008 Coastal Conference a great success!

Jon Shabica

Conference Photos, Tuesday through Friday

Conference Photos, Wednesday

More Conference Photos from Banquet:

October 16: Photos from Field Trip (Courtesy Tim Kana)

October 15: Photo of State Representative Harry Osterman and City of Chicago Commissioner of the Environment Suzanne Malec-McKenna:

October 14, 2008 -Short Course

We are off to a good start!  Joan Pope kicked off the 2008 ASBPA conference to a good crowd interested in Sustainable Beach Restoration – Adaptive and Structural Solutions.  I will have more information as the conference goes on. 

	Joan Pope and others in the Short Course on Adaptive and Structural Solutions

NOTE: More photos available on Flickr