Partnership is the cornerstone of solutions provided to the nation by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Great Lakes and Ohio River Division team relies on our industry partners, contractors, and other hard-working professionals and experts to accomplish our mission for the region.
On December 1, 2022, the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division hosted Industry Day. The in-person portion of the event was held just across the Ohio River from the Division HQ offices at the Marriott RiverCenter in Covington, Kentucky. To maximize attendance and ensure the event was accessible for those unable to attend, a virtual portion of the event was also held via the LRD webpage.
The purpose of the event was to give industry partners and contractors the opportunity to learn about LRD’s mission, discover upcoming opportunities from across the region, and understand the processes involved in working with the corps. Attendees were also able to network with personnel from each of LRD’s seven districts: Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Huntington, Louisville, Nashville, and Pittsburgh. Specialty topics, including information related to acquisition, engineering and construction resources, and market research, were also discussed in breakout sessions and panels.
The event began with several opening comments from division leaders.
“You’ll hear today that we have a historic workload,” said Morgan Strong, Procurement Analyst and organizer of Industry Day. “We need your help to get that work load completed. We want to engage with you, hear what you have to say, so we can do better.”
“Today’s theme is partnering in action,” said Division Commanding General Brig. Gen. Kimberly Peeples. “This is part of our DNA: Building relationships. Partnering is an important process in our program, but really, partnering is about relationships, building trust, and understanding. It’s about getting to know you better as industry partners -- what are the best capabilities, business practices, and trends? There’s so much to be shared between us, because we both have the same vision: to deliver for America. Together, with that vision, we really can’t lose.”
“We are organized to do our part and to leverage what industry can bring to the table,” said Regional Business Director, Mr. Joseph Savage. “We cannot do our jobs successfully without you. One of the reasons why adding new partners to our team is so important is because we recognize that when we have more teammates, we have a better opportunity to be successful at our mission. We also recognize the value that new businesses and small businesses bring to our economy, where we all live and work.
All in all, the event proved to be successful. With over 200 in-person attendees, and over 100 virtually, partners from across the region joined discussions with division experts. Participants found the event to be quite interactive, where questions could be asked directly to personnel either in-person or via the online chat function. Panel discussions outlined gaps in performance and offered suggestions through an open dialogue that allowed LRD leaders to fully engage with potential partners.
For participants unable to attend, each of the presentations and discussion are now uploaded to LRD webpage and can be viewed here.
For additional photos from the event, click here.