The inaugural Geo-U gathering has been announced with Austin, Texas selected as the destination. With Geo-U 2020, four high-level, two-day geosynthetics short courses will be held currently. One the third day, a special marketing course will be offered while others may sit for relevant certification exams (e.g., Geosynthetic Certification Institute – Inspectors Certification Program).
Geo-U 2020 will be held 7 – 10 April 2020 at the Sonesta Bee Cave Austin Hotel. The event is inspired by the smaller, more intense education and networking-driven events that used to characterize the geosynthetics calendar but which have largely given over to much larger conferences. Like the recent GAP 2019, Geo-U 2020 is designed to reconnect high-level professionals in an environment that is truly conducive to learning and engagement.
GEO-U 2020 COURSES
The anchor course of the five is the renowned QA/QC of Geosynthetic and Compacted Clay Lining Systems course that is taught twice per year (frequently in Austin). Mark Sieracke, P.E., Dr. Jeffrey Kuhn, P.E., and Sam Allen return to lead the course. The class prepares all participants to seek GCI-ICP status (April 10; requires additional fees).
The other three concurrent two-day courses on April 8 and 9 are:
- Landfill Design Considerations in the Age of Sustainable Development
Instructors: Dr. George Koerner, P.E. and Abigail Gilson, MS, P.E.
Optional certification exam included. (Exam on April 10 in the morning.) - Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Structure Design and Construction: Slopes, Walls and Roads
Instructor: Michael Bernardi, P.E.
Optional certification exam included. (Exam on April 10 in the morning.) - Geosynthetics in Stormwater Controls and Hydraulic Engineering
Instructor: C. Joel Sprague, P.E.
Optional certification exam included. (Exam on April 10 in the morning.)
On April 10 in the first half of the day, as certification exams are offered, a special Marketing in the Geosynthetics Field half-day short course will be offered.
For the landfill market, the offering of the QA/QC course and a landfill design/sustainability course enables landfill operators, regulators, and private practitioners to send additional personnel and gather complementary knowledge.
Similarly, the availability of a reinforced soil structure course and a stormwater controls course open the education and networking to a more diverse group of experts. This will assist the sharing of unique and complementary insight throughout the event.
GEO-U SCHEDULE
April 7
Meet the Teachers Reception (5:00 – 7:00 pm at Sonesta)
April 8
Concurrent Classes (8:00 am – 5:00 pm at Sonesta)
Technical Tour & GeoU Blast (Sponsored by TRI Environmental; 6:00 – 9:30 pm, offsite; bus transportation provided)
April 9
Concurrent Classes (8:00 am – 5:00 pm at Sonesta)
GeoU Happy Hour (5:00 – 7:00 pm at Sonesta)
April 10
Marketing Course (8:00 am – 12:00 pm at Sonesta)
Certification Exams (8:00 am – 12:00 pm at Sonesta)
THE VENUE
All classes and certification exams will be held at the Sonesta Bee Cave Austin Hotel. A room block is being arranged with a nicely discounted nightly rate for GeoU participants.
Learn more at www.geo-u.com.
