ACEC-Endorsed FLSA Changes Take Effect; Summary For Members Now Available New ACEC-endorsed changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) took effect August 23, and ACEC members are strongly encouraged to review the new rules. The final regulations establish new standards for classifying employees as exempt and non-exempt from the Act's minimum wage and overtime requirements, subsequently making the regulations easier to follow, and protecting businesses from unfair enforcement actions and lawsuits. Go to the ACEC website at www.acec.org/advocacy and click on the "New FLSA Regulations" link for a summary of the new rules specifically prepared for ACEC members. For additional information and to access the Department of Labor's website on the new regulations, go to www.dol.gov.

Maine Gov. Baldacci; Bennett Vs. Dean Debate; Lobsters Galore Await Fall Conference Attendees Maine Gov. Baldacci Maine Governor John Elias Baldacci, a rising star in the Democratic Party, will kick off an exciting lineup of events at ACEC's Fall Conference, September 29-October 2 in Portland, Maine. Baldacci, a speaker at the Democratic National Convention, will address the Conference's Opening General Session on Thursday, September 30 at 8am. At 1pm that day, the highly anticipated debate between Republican William Bennett and Democrat Howard Dean, moderated by Portland's NBC news anchor Pat Callaghan, takes place. Later that evening, a true Down East Lobster Bake, featuring enough fresh Maine lobster to serve hundreds will be held for members and guests during Local Color Night festivities. Other Conference highlights include a talk by Coast Guard Captain Larry Brudnicki, hero of "The Perfect Storm"; a bike tour through historic Portland, and more than 30 educational sessions on priority business management topics. The Sheraton South Portland Hotel has been added to the list of accommodations for the Conference. Go to www.acec.org to make online reservations or call the hotel directly at 207-775-6161. Mention you are with ACEC to get the special rate of $139 single/double occupancy. The cut off date for all hotel reservations is Friday, September 3. After this date, rooms may not be available or may be at a higher rate. Go to www.acec.org or call 202-347-7474 for further Conference information.

ACEC/PAC Fundraiser Backs Senator Reid From left to right: ACEC/Nevada Executive Director Rita Monroe, Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) and ACEC/Nevada President Larry Carroll. ACEC/PAC and ACEC of Nevada co-hosted an industry fundraiser to honor Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), the Assistant Democratic Leader in the Senate and a major proponent of increased investment in infrastructure. Nevada's senior Senator, up for re-election this year, welcomed the strong support from the engineering industry. He pledged he would continue his fight for a fully funded TEA-21 reauthorization bill and other key infrastructure priorities. "This event was an ideal opportunity for us to present key industry priorities to one of the Senate's most distinguished and senior leaders," said ACEC of Nevada President Larry Carroll. The Reid event comes on the heels of successful ACEC/PAC events in August for Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) and Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT). ACEC/PAC is co-hosting a fundraiser with ACEC of New York for Rep. Tom Reynolds during the Republican Convention in New York City.

Small Firms A Big Focus At Fall Conference ACEC is offering several educational sessions at the upcoming Fall Conference in Portland that will be especially helpful to owners of small engineering firms. They include: Help with Small Firm Ownership Transition, FLSA Regulations—New Overtime Regulations: How Will They Affect Your Practice?, and the Small Firm CEO Roundtable Discussion. The ownership transition session features a discussion about the "dos" and "don'ts" of an ownership transition and solutions to problems that can arise during the process. The FLSA session features Jason Schwartz, an attorney with Law, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, who will explain what the changes are and how they are likely to affect your business. Finally, the Small Firm CEO Roundtable Discussion has always been a favorite of small firm owners. "The roundtables are the perfect venue to gather forty or fifty peers and share ideas about running a small business" said ACEC Small Firm Council Chairman, H. Kenneth White. "I think every attendee leaves the roundtable discussion with at least one good idea to implement when they return to the office." All three sessions are sponsored by the Small Firm Council. For more information about the Fall Conference and to register go to www.acec.org.

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