Georgia Engineering Alliance

The Georgia Engineering Alliance (GEA) is a volunteer-driven, collaborative coalition of professional societies and related industry organizations, founded in the year 2000, with the objective of serving the broad needs of Georgia's engineering community. The GEA offers a platform for its member associations to work together, share best practices, and create an environment that benefits the engineering profession and the general public.

The GEA comprises of twelve member associations, including American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia (ACEC Georgia), American Society of Civil Engineers - Georgia Section (ASCE), American Society of Highway Engineers - Georgia Chapter (ASHE), Georgia Engineering Foundation (GEF), Georgia Society of Professional Engineers (GSPE), Institute of Transportation Engineers - Georgia Section (ITE), Intelligent Transportation Society of Georgia (ITS), National Society of Black Engineers - Atlanta Professionals (NSBE), Society of American Military Engineers Atlanta (SAME), Society for Marketing Professional Services Atlanta (SMPS Atlanta), Structural Engineers Association of Georgia (SEAOG), and Women's Transportation Seminar - Atlanta (WTS).

Services Offered by GEA

The GEA offers four major annual activities, tailored to meet the needs of Georgia's engineering community. These activities include the Legislative Coalition, Engineering Georgia magazine, Georgia Engineering Awards, and Georgia Engineers Summer Conference.

1. Legislative Advocacy: The GEA serves as a coalition that enables engineers across the state of Georgia to speak with one voice on issues and policies that impact the industry. The Legislative Coalition is one of the primary services offered by GEA, where it provides a platform for engineers to engage in legislative advocacy and influence policies that affect the engineering profession.

2. Best Practices: The GEA encourages sharing of information and insights between the various GEA organizations, resulting in obvious benefits for the associations' members, engineering profession, and the general public. This collaboration leads to a better understanding of best practices, successful methodologies, and innovative ideas, which in turn enhances the quality of service offered by the engineering community.

3. Leadership Training: The GEA offers emerging leaders in engineering associations the opportunity to learn and experience the demands and requirements of successfully running respective GEA organizations. This leadership training is a critical service offered by GEA, as it ensures a steady stream of future leaders who possess the skills and knowledge required to drive the engineering industry forward.

4. Membership Partnering: GEA allows member organizations access to other organization memberships, as well as selective cross-marketing of events and PDH opportunities (when appropriate). This partnership enables a collaborative and supportive environment, where engineering associations can work together to meet the needs of their members and enhance the overall engineering industry.

History of GEA

The Georgia Engineering Alliance (GEA) evolved from a cooperative arrangement between the American Council of Engineering Companies of Georgia (ACEC Georgia) and the Georgia Society of Professional Engineers (GSPE). In the late 1990s, the two offices and staffs were merged, leading to the creation of the Georgia Engineering Center. Over time, the concept of an umbrella organization for Georgia's engineering associations gained momentum, resulting in the formation of the GEA as we know it today.

From its inception, the GEA has focused on enhancing collaboration among engineering associations on certain activities where cooperation would enhance the quality of the activity or deliver it more cost-effectively. In addition to the Georgia Engineers Legislative Coalition, the GEA has also been involved in coordinating Engineers Week and joint association meetings.