BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES | A VOICE  
BUSINESS INFORMATION | ACEC BENEFITS

What is ACEC/MW?

The American Council of Engineering Companies of Metropolitan Washington (ACEC/MW) is the local organization of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC).  ACEC/MW is the voice of Metropolitan Washington’s Engineering Community.  ACEC/MW was founded in 1958 to serve the business needs of its professional member firms. Currently ACEC/MW’s membership comprises 87 firms with 2,295 employees.  The Association encompasses the following geographic areas:  Washington D.C., Montgomery, Prince Georges, Arlington, Fairfax Counties and City of Alexandria.

ACEC/MW provides it’s members with:

Business Opportunities
ACEC/MW primary objective is to assist consulting engineers in improving their business success. Some examples are:

• Interaction with peers and teaming opportunities including conferences, seminars, and networking luncheons. Speakers have included: VA/MD Counties and Cities, Environmental Agencies, VA/MD Transportation Agencies; Schools and Universities; Commercial Developers; and Health Care Providers.
• Access to timely information from public and private agencies.
• An annual membership directory which is distributed to federal, state, and local officials as well as other teaming partners and consulting firms.
• Through ACEC/MW's referral service, member firm information could be provided to prospective clients including government agencies, developers and manufacturers.

A Voice
ACEC/MW influences the dynamic business, economic and political environment. ACEC/MW provides:

• A voice in the design professions and engineering communities.
• Positions on important state and local legislative issues as an industry, not an individual.
• A government relations program targeting business issues to legislators and regulators, such as qualifications based procurement, liability reform, and many others.
• An environment of access and cooperation with local and state agencies through partnering on significant issues such as salary and overhead caps, multiple audits, reliance on private firms and other vital business issues.

Business Information
ACEC and ACEC/MW appreciate the value of education and strive to help members learn about the business, economic and political environment through:

• Business management tips, timely legislative and regulatory news and industry reports.
• Books, manuals and video/audio tapes on issues which benefit consulting engineer firms, their employees, and their bottom line.
• Conferences offering real-world skills to help members win contracts, manage finances and projects, and assure quality.
• Seminars with speakers experienced in topics which matter in today's business environment including contracts, insurance, risk management, marketing and quality design.
• The Exchange, ACEC/MW’s newsletter, provides informative and interesting articles on today's hot topics in the consulting engineering industry.

ACEC Benefits
As a member organization, ACEC/MW offers excellent and comprehensive benefits to its members through ACEC:

• Business insurance including worker's compensation, property insurance, general liability, and automobile insurance.
• Group Health, Life, Dental, and Disability Insurance.
• Retirement plans through one of the largest securities companies including 401(k) and profit sharing plans.
• Savings offers on overnight deliveries, office supplies, publications, long distance phone services, car rentals, and software packages.
• Organizational peer reviews which provide management advice and quality control guidance.