CALL FOR ABSTRACTS:
Please limit your abstract to one page. Presentations on all aspects of dredging and disposal, navigation structures, environmental restoration, and related topics are welcome, and presentations specifically relevant to Gulf Coast issues or projects are encouraged. If your abstract is accepted, you will be invited to present on that subject at the conference. You will not be asked to write and submit a technical paper. Speakers are required to register and pay fees accordingly.

Abstracts Due Date:  NLT June 30, 2023

Send Abstracts to: Andrew Cook, Program Manager WEDA Gulf Chapter, at Andrew.M.Cook@usace.army.mil

When:
Monday, November 6, 2023
-to-
Wednesday, November 8, 2023  

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Where: 
The Grand Galvez
2024 Seawall Boulevard
Galveston, TX 77550

Driving Directions

GENERAL INFORMATION:
The Gulf Coast Chapter of the Western Dredging Association is conducting its annual meeting from November 6-8 in Galveston, TX. The meeting will provide a forum for exchanging information of interest to the dredging industry and its associates. Representatives from all areas of the industry, including regulatory, resource agencies, contracting, and manufacturing, will attend to discuss dredging economics, benefits, technologies, and current issues.

 TENTATIVE AGENDA:

• Monday (11/06/23)
  • The evening will start with an Ice Breaker Social and early registration from 6-9
• Tuesday (11/07/23)
  • The agenda will consist of technical presentations and a luncheon program. The evening will follow up with a social event and dinner at the Bryan Museum.
• Wednesday (11/08/23)
  • We will continue with a partial day of technical presentations.
• Golf Event: Join your WEDA companions for Monday afternoon's 4-person scramble on the beautiful Moody Gardens Golf Course. Prizes will be given to the men’s and women’s longest drive, closest to the pin, and for 1^st/2^nd/3^rd place teams!

LOCATION:
Grand Galvez has pleased guests worldwide for more than 100 years. Their AAA 4-Diamond property is the only historic beachfront hotel on the Texas Gulf Coast and is renowned as one of the finest Galveston hotels on the beach.  Grand Galvez is only a 5min drive from Galveston’s Strand Historic District. 

(The Grand Galvez is roughly a 42-mile drive from William P. Hobby (HOU) Airport and a 70-mile drive from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH))

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: - Sponsor Now
The WEDA Gulf Coast Chapter Board of Directors is pleased to offer sponsorship opportunities for the Gulf Coast Chapter meeting to be held in Galveston, Texas, from November 6^th to 8^th, 2023, at the Grand Galvez Hotel. The point of Contact for sponsorships and advertising is Jonathan Schmaltz at JSchmatlz@McCarthy.com.

Platinum - $6,000.00

• Includes conference attendance for 2 persons
• Includes 2 rooms for the 2 nights of the conference
• Includes one complimentary 4-person golf team
• Includes company advertising in program and conference area 

Diamond - $3,000.00

• Includes conference attendance for 1 person
• Includes 1 hotel room for the 2 nights of the conference
• Includes one complimentary 4-person golf team
• Includes company advertising in program and conference area 

Gold - $1,500.00

• Includes conference attendance for 1 person
• Includes company advertising in program and conference area 

Silver - $750.00

• Includes company logo advertising in the conference area

Exhibition Space (19 spaces, 3’ x 6’ available) -  $500.00 exhibition space

SWAG BAG Items are Welcome:

• Any SWAG Bag Items are welcome. Please mail giveaways to the WEDA-Gulf Coast secretary for inclusion.

Golf Tournament – Golf Hole Sponsor                                                  

• Golf Hole Sponsor
  • Men’s Longest Drive – $500.00 for DRIVER prize
  • Women’s Longest Drive – $500.00 for DRIVER prize
  • Men’s Closest to Pin - $250.00 for PUTTER prize
  • Women’s Closest to Pin - $250.00 for PUTTER prize
  • All Closest to Pin - $300 for RANGE FINDER prize
  • 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd Team Prizes - $600, $500, & $400
  • Player Gifts – Sponsored Logo Swag Bags, Giveaways (tees, koozies, towels, hats, ) - $600

Advertisement in Conference Program

• • ¼ Page - $75
  • ½ Page - $150
  • Full Page - $250 

  We will require the color advertisement in camera-ready artwork form. 

REGISTRATION AND CONFERENCE FEES: - 

The registration will include the following:

1. Icebreaker with light hors d'oeuvres on Monday evening
2. Breakfast & Luncheon with Keynote Speaker + Coffee and Snacks – Tuesday
3. The offsite reception and dinner on Tuesday evening at the Bryan Museum
4. Brunch + Coffee and Snacks - Wednesday

• $300 Member (Current WEDA Member)
• $350 Non-Member
• $200 Government Employee
• $125 per person -- 4-Person Golf Scramble

HOTEL RESERVATIONS:

Book your reservations before October 13, 2023, for the special WEDA Gulf Coast Chapter group rate ($175/night).  GSA Government rate available for Government Attendees (Government ID required).

Book your reservations by calling 409-515-2154.  You must mention that you are with Western Dredging Conference to receive the group rate.

PDH CERTIFICATES:
Professional Development Hours (PDHs) certificates will be available for this meeting.

If you have any questions, please contact us at Info@WesternDredging.org. On behalf of the Gulf Coast Chapter Board, we look forward to seeing you in Galveston this November!  

Thank you,

Dave Allen
WEDA, Gulf Coast Chapter President