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2026 Spring Legislative & Education Forum

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 8:00 AM (EDT) to Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 4:00 PM (EDT)

* Registration open until 3/18/26 at 5:00 PM (EDT)

Description

This two-day forum brings together engineering professionals and policymakers for education and advocacy. Day one features expert-led sessions on key industry topics, followed by a legislative reception with invited lawmakers. On day two, members will participate in targeted meetings at the Capitol to discuss critical issues impacting the engineering profession.

Our Sessions
  • A Conversation with Bob Casey: Public Service, IIJA & What’s Ahead
  • PAC 101: The Do’s, Don’ts & How to Get Started
  • Best Practices for Alternative Project Delivery Panel
  • Bridging the Gap: Funding the I-83 Project with District 8-0
  • Stay tuned for more...

Registration Options

 There are three different options for participation.

  1. Full Registration - includes all sessions on Tuesday along with breakfast and lunch, the legislative reception Tuesday evening, and breakfast Wednesday which will be followed by scheduled meetings at the capital. If you are signing up for this option, the assumption is you are participating in all activities Tuesday and Wednesday. Cost is $200.
  2. Legislative Reception Only - for those who are local and can't commit to two days out of the office, please consider joining us from 4pm to 6pm at the Hilton Harrisburg for an evening reception to which all our legislators are invited. Cost is $50.
  3. Day One Only - anyone interested in just the sessions on Tuesday, this option includes everything up until the reception that evening. This is the only option open to non-members.

Hotel Information

The room block is now cl0sed. Please see the PARKING tab for important instructions.


Parking

Please see the PARKING tab as the parking situation has changed at the Hilton Harrisburg.

Registration Options

Credits Price
Spring 2026 Legislative Forum Featured Sponsor
Includes:
• Two (2) complimentary conference attendee registrations
• Signage featured displayed at registration and at tables
• Acknowledgment from the podium
• Recognition in presentation
• Recognition in event promotion e-blasts
• Recognition on ACEC/PA website and social media channels
Registration Ended 3/16/26 at 5:00 PM EDT
$1,500.00
Spring 2026 Legislative Forum Lunch Sponsor
Includes:
• One (1) complimentary conference attendee registration
• Signage displayed at registration and lunch
• Acknowledgment from the podium
• Recognition in presentation
• Recognition in event promotion e-blasts
• Recognition on ACEC/PA website and socialmedia channels
Registration Ended 3/16/26 at 5:00 PM EDT
$1,250.00
Spring 2026 Legislative Forum Reception Sponsor
Includes:
• One (1) complimentary conference attendee registration
• Recognition during the event
• Signage displayed at registration
• Recognition in event promotion e-blasts
• Recognition on ACEC/PA website and social media channels
Registration Ended 3/16/26 at 5:00 PM EDT
$1,000.00
Spring 2026 Legislative Forum Breakfast Sponsor
Includes:
• One (1) complimentary conference attendee registration
• Signage displayed at registration and break
• Acknowledgment from the podium
• Recognition in presentation
• Recognition in event promotion e-blasts
• Recognition on ACEC/PA website and social media channels
Registration Ended 3/16/26 at 5:00 PM EDT
$750.00
Spring 2026 Legislative Forum Break Sponsor
Includes:
• One (1) complimentary conference attendee registration
• Signage displayed at registration and break
• Acknowledgment from the podium
• Recognition in presentation
• Recognition in event promotion e-blasts
• Recognition on ACEC/PA website and social media channels
Registration Ended 3/16/26 at 5:00 PM EDT
$500.00
3/24-25/2026 Spring Legislative Forum FULL EVENT
Registration for this ticket is for ACEC/PA members and includes:
 - Attendance to all of Tuesday's sessions
 - Tuesday's legislative reception
 - Breakfast and lunch on Tuesday
 - Scheduled meetings with legislators on Wednesday
 - Breakfast on Wednesday
$200.00
3/24/2026 Spring Legislative Forum RECEPTION only
Registration for this ticket is for members and includes:
 - Tuesday's legislative reception only at the Hilton Harrisburg from 4pm to 6pm
$50.00
3/24/2026 Spring Legislative DAY ONE Only
Registration for this ticket is for ACEC/PA members and includes:
 - Attendance to all of Tuesday's sessions
 - Breakfast and lunch on Tuesday
 - Does not include Tuesday's reception with legislators
$150.00
3/24/2026 Spring Legislative Forum NON-MEMBER
Registration for this ticket is for non-members only and includes:
 - Attendance to all of Tuesday's sessions
 - Breakfast and lunch on Tuesday
 - It does not include the legislative reception on Tuesday or the meetings with legislators on Wednesday

$200.00

Agenda

March 24
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM Registration and Breakfast Buffet
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM Welcome and Opening Session
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM A Conversation with Bob Casey: Public Service, Infrastructure Investment & What’s Ahead Former U.S. Senator Bob Casey will reflect on his years of public service and the lessons learned throughout his time representing Pennsylvania. Senator Casey will share insights into the development and impact of IIJA, including how it has shaped transportation, infrastructure, and economic growth. He will also offer his perspective on what to expect in the coming months and to hear firsthand about the evolving infrastructure landscape and what it means for the engineering community.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PAC 101: The Do’s, Don’ts & How to Get Started Join Sarah Copley of Commonwealth Compliance Solutions, LLC for an informative and practical session on the Do’s and Don’ts of Political Action Committees (PACs). Designed for engineering firms and industry leaders interested in strengthening their advocacy efforts, this presentation will break down the fundamentals of establishing a PAC, navigating compliance requirements, and responsibly making political contributions. 
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch Buffet
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Bridging the Gap: Funding the I-83 Project with District 8-0 Join representatives from Engineering District 8-0 for an inside look at the funding strategy behind the I-83 bridge project. This session will highlight how coordinated state and federal investment made this critical infrastructure improvement possible and why securing those funds was essential to advancing the project. 
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Best Practices for Alternative Project Delivery As transportation projects grow more complex, alternative delivery remains a key topic nationwide yet Pennsylvania’s procurement system limits those options . This panel will explore which projects are best suited for alternative delivery, when traditional methods may be preferable, and lessons learned from other states. Gain practical insight into risks, benefits, and what alternative delivery could mean for Pennsylvania’s future. 
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM Afternoon Break
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM IRS & R&D Tax Credit Updates: Critical Changes for Engineering Companies in 2026 This is a briefing on the latest IRS guidance and R&D tax credit developments impacting engineering firms. We will cover the permanent restoration of immediate R&D expense deductions, new IRS documentation standards, and updated compliance requirements for claiming research credits. We'll analyze regulatory changes, explore enhanced qualification criteria for engineering activities, and provide actionable strategies for maximizing R&D tax benefits while meeting IRS audit standards.
4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Legislative Reception
March 25
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Hot Breakfast Buffet and Legislative Assignments
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Various Meetings with Legislators at the Capital

Parking Garage: Walnut Street
Address: 215 Walnut Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101

The Walnut Street Parking Garage is now managed by Metropolis Parking and uses a License Plate Reader (LPR) system. Parking passes are no longer utilized for garage access. All guests will need to provide license plate information ONLY to the Hilton Harrisburg Front Desk for the garage gate to open anytime a guest departs.

Overnight Guests:
● Provide your license plate number at the Hilton Front Desk on arrival date to receive the discounted parking rate and be granted in/out privileges for the duration of your hotel stay.

Day Meeting/Event Guests:
● All attendees will still be required to visit the hotel Front Desk to process the parking validation
● Attendees will scan the group specific QR code at the Front Desk to activate the validation
● Attendees should be prepared to create a Metropolis Parking account, that will require your license plate number, credit card information, and phone number.
● If this is your first-time using Metropolis Parking, a $9.99 pre-authorization (to verify the card is valid) will be placed on your card and released within a few days. On your next visit with us, simply scan the QR code at the Hilton Front Desk.
● If attendees would like, they can create their accounts before visiting the hotel via this link: Metropolis
● Parking validations remain active for 10 hours, starting at the time you entered the garage. After 10 hours, standard Metropolis parking rates will be charged to your card on file.

Current Discounted Parking Garage Rates
Parking rates are subject to change.
● $20 – Overnight Self Parking / Per Car / Per Day
● $10 – Day (Meeting/Event Guests) Self Parking / Per Car / Per Day (10-hour limit)

Sponsors (As of March 2026) 

Sponsorships are available now (click on the fillable PDF below)