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Registration  |  Schedule  |  Presenters  |  Tours  |  Hotel | Sponsor/Exhibit

Learn. Connect. Explore.
Join the South Dakota Engineering Society’s Annual Conference for engaging PDH sessions, behind-the-scenes technical tours, industry exhibitors, and valuable networking with engineers and partners from across the state.


The SDES Eastern Chapter Conference brings engineering professionals from across the state together for an engaging and informative experience. Attendees will gain direct access to insightful general sessions, targeted breakout discussions, industry exhibitors, and valuable networking opportunities designed to educate and empower professionals at every stage of their careers.

This year’s conference begins on Wednesday, April 29, with the Board of Directors Meeting and the American Concrete Pipe Association Social.

The main conference events take place on Thursday, April 30, featuring:

  • Professional Development Hour (PDH) sessions

  • Technical tours

  • Exhibitor engagement

  • The Awards Luncheon

  • An evening social and networking opportunities

Educational sessions will continue through Friday, May 1, concluding at noon.

To provide an exceptional learning and networking experience, the conference will be held at the Sioux Falls Convention Center, with transportation provided for off-site tours. A hotel room block has been reserved at the Holiday Inn City Centre in downtown Sioux Falls for attendee convenience.

Scroll down to learn more, and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.

We look forward to seeing you in Sioux Falls!


Early Bird Registration Closes March 18th! Click HERE for more Registration Information

We have a full Schedule of PDHs, Tours, Socials and Networking Opportunities!  Find out more HERE!

We'd love to have you Exhibit, Advertise, Sponsor, or Partner on this conference. Click HERE for more!

Reserve your room in the Holiday Inn Block TODAY. Rooms are limited. Find all the info HERE!

Thank you to our SDES 2025-26 Platinum, Gold and Silver Partners! 

Click HERE to find out more about our Partners!


Registration Information: Early Bird Rates end March 18th!

Member Reminder: 

Members must log in before accessing the registration page in order to view member-only registration rates. This year, we are again offering discounted registration rates for Retired and Life Members. If you qualify for one of these statuses, the discounted option will automatically appear when you register.

New Professional Engineer?
If you received your PE license after October 29, 2025, SDES will cover your registration and you can attend this year’s conference FREE of charge. Please contact Nancy at 605-951-1004 or Executive@NSPE-SDES.org for more information.

Registering Multiple Attendees?
If you have several people to register, please download the Group Registration Form HERE . Complete the form and email it to Nancy, and a single invoice will be created for your entire group.

Not an SDES/NSPE Member?
Join SDES, NSPE, and your local chapter today and receive $275 off your conference registration.

Learn more about membership and join HERE.

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Schedule
Conference Schedule Overview

With nine hours of interactive PDH opportunities, including educational sessions and tours, plus social events and an exhibitor area, this conference is the perfect chance to learn about new topics, processes, and projects while reconnecting with colleagues, clients, and industry partners.

Wednesday, April 29
The conference begins with the SDES Board Meeting, followed by the Dakota Concrete Pipe Association Hospitality Room—a great opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and friends.

Thursday, April 30
Thursday features a full day of Professional Development Sessions at the Sioux Falls Convention Center, along with time to visit exhibitors. We’ll also recognize engineers and engineering achievements from the past year.

In the afternoon, attendees will board buses for two tour options. After the tours, join us for the Thursday evening social, then head downtown to enjoy dinner and everything Sioux Falls has to offer.

Friday, May 1
The conference concludes with additional Professional Development Sessions continuing through noon, leaving you time to enjoy Sioux Falls for the weekend or travel home.


Professional Development Sessions

Featured Conference Presenters

The Eastern Chapter Planning Committee has assembled an outstanding lineup of presenters and educational sessions for this year’s conference. Attendees will hear from industry leaders covering a wide range of topics in engineering, infrastructure, construction, and professional development.

Below is a preview of just some of the presenters and sessions you can expect. Be sure to check back often as we continue to add presenter details and session information.

Featured Presenters Include:

      • Krista May, Infrastructure Design Group – Deep Utility Trench Construction: Arrowhead Parkway
      • Katie Adair, South Dakota Department of Ag and Natural Resources – NOI Submittal Procedures and Closeouts
      • Joseph Block, MnDOT – Electric Aviation
      • T.J. Yerdon, HDR – Urban Drainage Modeling for Transportation Projects
      • Patrick Skain, Bartlett & West – Reevaluating Speed Limits: Balancing Safety, Efficiency, and Driver Perception
      • Jeremy Walgrave, SEH – Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Program: Upper Mississippi River Restoration
      • Jim Weidrich, Woods Fuller – CAMR & Construction Contracts
      • Jennica Hartman & Mark Meisinger, Felsburg Holt & Ullevig – SD 11 Corridor Study
      • Luke Rogers, HDR – Engineers Without Borders
      • Chad Nelson & Kyle Hubers, Henry Carlson – SDSU Frost Arena
      • Jason Reaves, SDACPA – Concrete Jointing and Sealing on Sites
      • Toby Crow, AGC – Constructability
      • Mike Brever, DAPA – Asphalt Paving
      • Julia Harrod, MWM Design Group – Time Management Practices to Boost Productivity
      • Mitchell Workmon, ISG – Sanford Sports Turf Projects
      • Joe Honner, HDR – BMU Water Treatment Plant
      • Thom Jackson, Dunham Engineering – Data Centers
      • Catherine Dekkenga, JLG – Augie Midco Hockey Arena Project
      • Lucas Kirkpatrick, USACE – Fort Randall Dam Turbine Replacement
      • Julia Harrod, MWM Design Group – Understanding AE Firm Financials
      • Carl Carlson, Cemcast – Concrete Precast Storm Structures

And many more!



Conference Tour Options

This year’s conference features two tour options, in addition to the on-site educational sessions. Tour spots are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to register early to secure your place.

Tour One: Mapleton Golf Course & Sioux Falls Water Reclamation Facility

Mapleton Golf Course

Constructed between 2023 and 2025, Mapleton Golf Course opened for play in late 2025 and offers a premier golf and hospitality experience. The project includes:

        • An 18-hole championship golf course
        • Driving range and practice facilities
        • A 6-hole short course
        • Clubhouse and pro shop
        • Locker rooms and fine dining restaurant
        • Member lounge and private meeting spaces
        • Maintenance facility and cart storage
        • 12 king-suite member lodging accommodations

The tour will highlight the clubhouse and pro shop, member lodging, practice facilities, and portions of the golf course itself.

Sioux Falls Water Reclamation Facility

The $215 million modernization project upgraded the 40-year-old facility while maintaining uninterrupted service for more than 200,000 regional customers. The improvements expanded treatment capacity from 21 million gallons per day (MGD) to 30 MGD.

The project’s structural scope included:

        • 3.2 million pounds of reinforcing steel
        • 26,086 cubic yards of concrete
        • More than 3,500 concrete test cylinders

During the tour, attendees will see both the renovated and newly constructed treatment facilities. This project was recently recognized as the SDES Eastern Chapter Project of the Year.

Tour Two: Jacobson Plaza & The Steel District / River Greenway

Jacobson Plaza

Located in Falls Park West, Jacobson Plaza began construction in 2023 and opened in summer 2025 with an estimated cost of $18.5 million. Key features include:

        • The Lodge restaurant and warming house
        • A 14,000-square-foot ice ribbon
        • Inclusive playground
        • Splash pad
        • New dog park

The Steel District & River Greenway

The Steel District is a major downtown Sioux Falls development valued at approximately $200 million. The project includes three buildings:

        • The District Tower
        • The District Lofts
        • Canopy by Hilton Sioux Falls Downtown

The development features restaurants, convention space, apartments, condominiums, parking, office space, and retail.

The nearby River Greenway project includes multiple phases of improvements along the Big Sioux River. The latest phase—known as Lloyd Landing—added:

        • A scenic riverwalk path
        • 30' x 80' lighted shelter
        • Dog relief station
        • Flexible turf activity area
        • Landscaping and improved river access

The project also included replacement of the historic low-head dam as part of the river improvements.


This year we once again have two tour options, in addition to on-site educational session options. Tours will fill up fast and are on a first come, first served basis -- so register early! Our tour options include:

Tour One will include stops at Mapleton Golf Course and the Sioux Falls Water Reclamation Facility.

  • The Mapleton Golf Course was constructed from 2023 to 2025, with play opening late in 2025. Construction included an 18-hole championship golf course, driving range, practice facilities, 6-hole short course, clubhouse, pro-shop, locker rooms, fine dining restaurant, member lounge, private meeting spaces, maintenance facility, cart storage, and 12 king suite member lodging accommodations. The tour will highlight the beautiful clubhouse/pro-shop, member lodging, practice facilities, and a little of the golf course itself.
  • The Sioux Falls Water Reclamation Facility underwent a $215 million project to modernize the 40-year-old facility while maintaining uninterrupted service for more than 200,000 regional customers. The tour will take us through both the updated and newly constructed facilities that expanded treatment capacity from 21 MGD to 30 MGD. The structural scope alone included 3.2 million pounds of reinforcing steel, 26,086 cubic yards of concrete, and more than 3,500 concrete test cylinders. The Water Reclamation Facility project recently won the SDES Eastern Chapter project of the year! 

Tour Two will include stops at Jacobson Plaza and The Steel District/ River Greenway. 

  • The Jacobson Plaza project began in 2023 and opened in summer 2025 in Falls Park West. The project had an approximate cost of $18.5 million. This tour will highlight the newly constructed restaurant/ warming house (The Lodge), a 14,000 sqft ice ribbon, an inclusive playground, a splash pad, and the new dog park.
  • The Steel District is made up of three buildings, The District Tower, The District Lofts, and The Canopy by Hilton Sioux Falls Downtown. A project estimated at $200 million, the space includes several restaurants, convention space, apartments, condominiums, parking ramp, office space and retail space. The River Greenway project consists of multiple phases of construction along the Big Sioux River downtown in Sioux Falls, with the latest updates taking place adjacent to The Steel District. The latest phase, otherwise known as the Lloyd Landing improvements, provided a riverwalk path, 30′ x 80′ lighted shelter, dog relief station, flexible field turf area, landscaping and access to the Big Sioux River. The historic low-head dam was also replaced as part of the project. 


Exhibit, Advertise, Sponsor an Event, or Partner with SDES

SDES conferences and activities would not be possible without the generous support of the exhibitors, advertisers, sponsors, and industry partners who work alongside us throughout the year.

Your continued involvement helps support the SDES scholarship fund, programs that encourage and inspire future engineers, and the many events and initiatives that strengthen our engineering community and industry.

To learn more about SDES Conference exhibit, advertising, sponsorship, and partnership opportunities, click the button below.

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Conference Lodging / Room Block

A room block has been reserved for conference attendees on the evenings of April 29 and April 30 at the Holiday Inn City Centre in downtown Sioux Falls. The conference rate is $139 per night plus applicable taxes and fees.

You can make reservations by calling the hotel directly at 605-339-2000 and requesting the South Dakota Engineering Society (SDES) room rate, or by booking online through the Holiday Inn reservation link.

The discounted rate is available through March 31, or until the room block is filled. Early reservations are strongly recommended.

Thank you to our SDES 2025-26 Platinum, Gold and Silver Partners! 

This conference and other SDES activities are only made possible through the ongoing support of our industry partners. Find out more about additional Partnership and Sponsorship opportunities by clicking on the Sponsor button above.


 Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsors


 

 

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