On behalf of NZGS and the organising committee, I am delighted to invite you to NZGS2017, the 20th national symposium of the New Zealand Geotechnical Society. The symposium will be held between 24 and 26 November 2017 in Napier, the art deco capital of the world. The NZGS symposium has not previously been held in Hawke’s bay, and we look forward to the opportunity to explore the exciting geological, cultural and viticultural offerings the region has to offer.
The symposium theme will be What In Earth Is Going On: balancing risk, reward, regulation and reality. International keynote speakers will lead a single streamed event over two full days, complemented by top quality presenters from around New Zealand. You can look forward to engaging presentations, technical papers and rigorous discussions that consider the inherent risks of dealing with variable subsurface conditions, and the regulatory, ethical and practical challenges associated with this.
With an emphasis on practical and pragmatic geotechnics we expect this to be an extremely valuable event for all our members. This will be an interesting and exciting symposium, and I look forward to seeing you in Napier next year.
A welcome reception will be held on the Thursday evening, followed by the main symposium on the Friday and Saturday. A conference dinner on Friday night will be complemented by an optional field trip to local geological (and viticulture) features on Sunday. We are also intending to run a series of workshops and short courses on the Thursday.
A call for abstracts will be made in the next few months, with registration opening early in 2017. These dates, as well as further information will be posted on the conference website www.nzgs2017.co.nz so please keep an eye out for this. Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities are still available, and you can find further information in the prospectus available on the website.
Why should you attend this symposium?
This is New Zealand’s prime forum for sharing geotechnical knowledge. A huge volume of technical content is distilled into a few days by leading professionals in your industry, providing a high quality, condensed learning experience. With the emphasis on the practical and pragmatic side of our work you will be using your learnings in your every-day practice. The symposium will be attended by industry icons, consultants, contractors, suppliers, academics and students. You will make lasting contacts who can help you with technical and career advice. This symposium will be held in sunny Napier, one of the best destinations in the country. You’ll get to stay in accommodation with sea views, eat fine fresh local produce while drinking locally made wine or beer with your colleagues. You’re bound to enjoy the experience while you’re learning and networking. You could arrive early, stay late and enjoy all the offerings of Hawke’s Bay.
Why should you submit a paper?
Submitting a paper is a great way to share your knowledge. It also helps increase your profile and gives you opportunities to present your work. If you have something to share around our topics of risk, reward, regulation and reality, with a focus on the practical and pragmatic, it’s time to start preparing your abstract.
Our proposed sub-themes are:
- Communicating and managing risk
- Natural hazard and resilience
- Innovative tools and techniques
- Standards, guidelines and regulation
- Putting theory into practice
- Best practice in design and construction
- Driving efficiency from investigation to construction
Why should you sponsor?
This event, held only once in every four years, is one of the few opportunities to get your message across to the leading geo-professionals in New Zealand. With a totally New Zealand focussed symposium you will have the opportunity to promote yourself as a supplier or future employer to the best in our industry. You will have a chance to interact on a personal level with nearly 300 people representing around a third of the national NZGS membership.
There will also be exhibition spaces available allowing you to show case the best and latest products and services associated with the industry. As an exhibitor you have an exceptional opportunity to promote your products and services in a face to face environment with the delegates and speakers of the symposium.
Find out more in our prospectus.