The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has national leadership responsibilities for managing risks involving critical infrastructure, key resources, and events. DHS has identified commercial facilities as key assets in the critical infrastructure/ key resource sector and encourages the widespread deployment of effective anti-terrorism technologies, services and capabilities. Building security programs are a technology that may receive designation under the SAFETY Act. To help commercial building owners and managers, the Science and Technology Directorate and the Office of SAFETY Act Implementation identified a set of best operational security practices for metropolitan commercial office buildings, referred to as Best Practices for Anti-Terrorism Security or BPATS.

On May 12, 2021 , we will be conducting a virtual training session on BPATS Based Assessment Process for Commercial Facilities from 10:00am–5:00pm EST.

The training will start with an overview of the Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act and an introduction to the BPATS Assessment Process and Common Security Practices. Then the instructor will describe the online BPATS Assessment Tool in detail, provide training on how to use the tool, and lead a hands-on exercise with the students.

• Register for the course by sending an email to Terry Ryan (Lead Instructor) at BPATSTool@nibs.org.
• To participate in the training, please have a desktop/laptop computer capable of connecting to an internet browser. We recommend a device with a keyboard for data entry.
• It is recommended to join between 9:30am and 9:50am to allow ample time to set-up the BPATS Tool prior to the start of the class.
• Prior to the course, each participant must request a BPATS Assessor account. To request an account, please go to the BPATS Assessment Tool for Commercial Facilities account request page at https://bpatsassessmenttool.nibs.org/accntreq-a.php.

If you have any questions regarding the course or registration, you may contact Terry Ryan (Lead Instructor) at BPATSTool@nibs.org. For information about NIBS, please go to nibs.org. Thank you and we look forward to your participation.

Colleagues from around the world have organized the symposium to honor Professor Chuck Eastman and celebrate his life and legacy. The Eastman Symposium will be held on Thursday, May 13, 2021, starting at 13:00 GMT (8:00 a.m. US EST) and will run uninterrupted for 24 hours. In keeping with the global impact of Professor Eastman’s work, the individual sessions will be chaired by experts from around the world.

The U.S. Department of Energy's next Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit will take place May 17-20, 2021. This virtual, no-cost event will feature engaging and interactive sessions, as well as opportunities for attendees to network with their fellow industry peers and experts.

In addition to 40 interactive, engaging sessions, the 2021 Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit also features the return of long-time favorite Ask-an-Expert. Join technical experts from DOE's National Laboratories as they answer your questions and discuss energy performance trends in technology, process, data, tools, and more.

This is a great opportunity to jazz up your business by learning new strategies and visiting fellow members whom you haven’t seen since last year’s big show. It’s an ideal way to cook up new opportunities, and we’re not just talking about the great creole cuisine.

Start the exciting week by relaxing and having refreshments with other members at the popular PCI Welcome Reception. Help guide your Institute by attending committee and council meetings and enrich your knowledge at The Precast Show education sessions. See great examples of precast concrete de-sign at the PCI Design Awards cocktail reception and support the future of the industry at PCI Foundation events.

Floods are the most common and widespread of all weather-related natural disasters. According to testimony from Federal Emergency Management Agency representative Michael Grimm, flood damage cost approximately $17 billion each year between 2010 and 2018. Rising sea levels and extreme weather could cause $20 billion of flood damage to at-risk U.S. homes this year, rising to $32 billion by 2051, according to recent research by flood research non-profit First Street Foundation.

There are many causes of flooding. They include heavy rains, storm surge, quickly melting snow, and breaks in dams or levees. A flood can occur within minutes and last a long period of time. No state or territory in the U.S. is spared, and tragically, floods kill more people in the U.S. than tornadoes, hurricanes or lightning.

In this installment of the Resilience 2021 series, we will cover:

• Flood resilience and mitigation efforts
• The National Flood Insurance Program
• Flood risk in the Continental U.S.

The Precast Show is the largest precast-specific trade show in North America and the one place where you can find the industry’s most important suppliers and foremost equipment experts under one roof. We are looking forward to seeing you May 20-22, 2021, in New Orleans, La.

What is an Elevator Pitch, and How Can It Help Advance Your Career?

In today’s fast-moving, fast-talking business environment, sometimes you only have seconds to make a good impression.

We call this an elevator pitch. It’s literally 30-60 seconds (or the time you’d be sitting in an elevator) to deliver a memorable and well-crafted synopsis of your background and professional experience.

Your pitch allows you to share expertise and credentials with those who don't know you. When done right, it is the best way to introduce yourself in a compelling manner.

This month, we will continue the February discussion from the Women Executives in Building: Virtual Leadership Series which centered around building your personal brand. Attendees will be divided into small groups so they can learn from and practice an elevator pitch with peers.

Who Should Attend: All female C-Suite executives in the building industry, from association executives to corporate leaders and women–owned and operated businesses.

Event format: This is an opportunity for conversation with other C-Suite female executives in a safe, thought-provoking environment.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has identified commercial facilities as key assets in the critical infrastructure/key resource sector and encourages the widespread deployment of effective anti-terrorism technologies, services and capabilities. Building security programs are a technology that may receive designation under the SAFETY Act.

To help commercial building owners and managers, the DHS Science and Technology Directorate and the Office of SAFETY Act Implementation identified a set of best operational security practices for metropolitan commercial office buildings, referred to as Best Practices for Anti-Terrorism Security or BPATS.

On May 26, 2021 the National Institute of Building Science (NIBS) and DHS will be offering a new BPATS Orientation Session, from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM EDT. This virtual orientation session specifically tailored for Facility Owners/Managers will provide information on the BPATS List, Process and Online Tool available to facilitate the physical anti-terrorism security assessment of commercial facilities.

The training will start with an overview of the Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act and an introduction to the BPATS Assessment Process and Common Security Practices.

• Register for the course by sending an email to Terry Ryan (Lead Instructor) at BPATSTool@nibs.org.
• To participate in the training, please have a desktop/laptop computer capable of connecting to an internet browser. We recommend a device with a keyboard for data entry.
• It is recommended to join between 12:45 PM and 12:55 PM to allow ample time to set-up the BPATS Tool prior to the start of the class.
• Prior to the course, each participant must request a BPATS Owner account at: https://bpatsassessmenttool.nibs.org/accntreq-f.php

We look forward to your participation!

World of Concrete is the commercial construction industry’s largest annual international event for concrete and masonry professionals and puts these kinds of immersive opportunities at your fingertips—join your community here and experience real, tangible results. Hands down, the best decision you'll make.

More than 60,000 industry professionals from all around the world, representing all segments of the construction industry: Commercial Contractors, Concrete Contractors, Concrete Pumpers, Construction Managers, Dealers/Distributors, Decorative Concrete Contractors, Designers and Specifiers, General Contractors, Block/Segmental Unit Producers Masonry Contractors, Architects, Engineers, Block Producers, Ready Mix Producers, Rental Equipment Centers, Repair Contractors, Residential Contractors, Specialty Concrete Contractors, Precast, Pipe and Block Producers, Precast/Prestressed Producers, and more.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has national leadership responsibilities for managing risks involving critical infrastructure, key resources, and events. DHS has identified commercial facilities as key assets in the critical infrastructure/ key resource sector and encourages the widespread deployment of effective anti-terrorism technologies, services and capabilities. Building security programs are a technology that may receive designation under the SAFETY Act. To help commercial building owners and managers, the Science and Technology Directorate and the Office of SAFETY Act Implementation identified a set of best operational security practices for metropolitan commercial office buildings, referred to as Best Practices for Anti-Terrorism Security or BPATS.

On June 9, 2021 , we will be conducting a virtual training session on BPATS Based Assessment Process for Commercial Facilities from 10:00am–5:00pm EST.

The training will start with an overview of the Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act and an introduction to the BPATS Assessment Process and Common Security Practices. Then the instructor will describe the online BPATS Assessment Tool in detail, provide training on how to use the tool, and lead a hands-on exercise with the students.

• Register for the course by sending an email to Terry Ryan (Lead Instructor) at BPATSTool@nibs.org.
• To participate in the training, please have a desktop/laptop computer capable of connecting to an internet browser. We recommend a device with a keyboard for data entry.
• It is recommended to join between 9:30am and 9:50am to allow ample time to set-up the BPATS Tool prior to the start of the class.
• Prior to the course, each participant must request a BPATS Assessor account. To request an account, please go to the BPATS Assessment Tool for Commercial Facilities account request page at https://bpatsassessmenttool.nibs.org/accntreq-a.php.

If you have any questions regarding the course or registration, you may contact Terry Ryan (Lead Instructor) at BPATSTool@nibs.org. For information about NIBS, please go to nibs.org. Thank you and we look forward to your participation.