America's consulting engineering firms are among the best in the world, designing some of the most technologically advanced infrastructure. Just as they strive to continually update and improve their engineering proficiency, these entrepreneurs must also cultivate their business practices skills to compete in domestic and international marketplaces. The American Council of Engineering Companies, or ACEC, provides the executives of private engineering firms with the tools and educational opportunities to be better business owners and managers. ACEC also presents a strong, cohesive voice for the profession in national legislative and policy debates to help ensure that firms can compete fairly in an increasingly aggressive world market.

ACEC's origins date back to 1910 with the founding of the American Institute of Consulting Engineers. The Consulting Engineers Council was established in 1956, and in 1973, the Council merged with the Institute to form the American Consulting Engineers Council. The goals of this larger umbrella group were to help its members.

• achieve higher professional and business standards for consulting engineers;
• ensure that ethical standards were maintained;
• act as an information clearinghouse for the profession;
• advise on enactment of national, state and local legislation affecting members' interests; and
• support and assist the advancement of the science and practice of engineering.

ACEC's member firms offer engineering expertise in a wide range of disciplines, including civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, environmental, industrial, metallurgical, chemical, acoustical, mining and agricultural. The firms range in size from a single registered professional engineer to corporations employing thousands of professionals, and three out of four firms employ fewer than 25 people each.

Governed By Its Members

ACEC's programs are managed by an executive vice president who is assisted by a deputy and a senior management group. Funding for ACEC's programs and activities comes from dues paid by the 51 Member Organizations, plus other income generated primarily by the sale of publications and by its meetings and seminars. The Board of Directors, the Executive Committee and ACEC's senior management group regularly review the Council's programs to ensure they provide value to members while meeting the Council's strategic mission, which is:

To strengthen the business environment and image of member firms, focusing on quality professional services in a competitive global marketplace.

1. Enhance and expand market opportunities for member firms.
2. Assist member firms to improve their business ability, upgrade the quality of their services and achieve their financial goals.
3. Advocate improvement of the business environment of member firms.
4. Continuously improve the professional and business image of member firms and the association.
5. Support a flexible and interactive association, and improve its value to the members in a changing market.

To Educate, Represent, Associate

1) Business Practices. relating directly to the practice of firms: management, finance, marketing, human resources, legal issues and planning. Includes:

• conventions
• the ACEC Bookshop (and ACEC Bookshop News)
• seminars, workshops
• Peer Review
• partnerships, affiliations
• advanced management training
• quality program
• the annual Business Health Survey
• international business development

• federal agencies
• Consulting Congress Day
• infrastructure
• small business interests
• procurement
• First Friday Breakfasts
• ACEC/PAC
• Legal Defense Fund
• contract documents
• professional liability (including ACEC's annual "Liability Survey")
• workplace issues

• American Consulting Engineer magazine
• The Last Word newsletter
• Engineering Excellence Awards
• ACEC Fellows
• National Engineers Week
• Media Relations, Speakers Network

Coalitions, Affiliates & Special Interest Committees

• Environmental Business Action Coalition (EBAC)
• Design Professionals Coalition (DPC)
• Council of American Structural Engineers (CASE)
• Small Firm Council (SFC)
• Council of Professional Surveyors (COPS) 

• American Tort Reform Association (ATRA)
• Citizens for Civil Justice Reform (CCJR)
• Rebuild America Coaliton
• Federation Internationale des Ingenieurs Conseils (FIDIC)
• Pan American Federation of Consulting Associations (FEPAC)
• Engineers Joint Contract Documents Committee (EJCDC)

Member Discounts / Benefits