It was with great excitement that we gathered in Indianapolis for the first in-person UESI Pipelines Conference since 2019. As soon as the exhibitors started setting up the booths, a high level of energy filled the conference space. Within this light airy venue, we filled the third floor of the J.W. Marriott for the next 5 days with workshops, technical sessions, and posters.

Saturday began with pre-conference workshops on Innovation in Large-Diameter Pipeline Management and Procurement of Large Diameter Valves and Specialized Equipment. More workshops were offered on Sunday, including PIPEiD-Better Data and Models for Improved Asset Management; New MOP: Seismic Design of Buried Water & Wastewater Pipelines; A Comprehensive Look at Municipal Installations of HDPE; and ASCE 75 and ASCE 38: New and Re-released Standards in Risk Mitigation.

Sunday’s program culminated in the Opening Reception in the Exhibit Hall. Among the displays of new products, services, and technologies were car racing simulators for attendees to enjoy. Exhibitors and attendees mixed and networked and were joined by Public Sector and Student Scholarship winners.

Monday morning started with the Welcome Breakfast Plenary. UESI President, Graham Bell, presented the Annual Business Meeting after welcomes from the Conference Co-Chairs, Jeff Boschert and Jeremy Kosegi, and Jeffrey A. Harrison, President and CEO of Citizens Energy Group. The opening plenary keynote speaker, Amster Howard, gave a sometimes humorous, always informative, accounting of the challenges of being a pipe inspector. A full day of technical sessions was offered including panel sessions on sustainability and asset management.

Tuesday started bright and early with seven tracks of technical sessions including the popular Diversity in Engineering Breakfast and Panel Discussion. Tuesday’s Awards Luncheon featured Pipelines ExCom Chair Jason Lueke’s State of the Pipeline Division presentation and information about the Younger Member Engagement Committee’s activities. Multiple UESI and ASCE awards were bestowed including the Bechtel Pipeline Engineering Award and the new UESI Best Paper Award sponsored by the Bell Family Living Trust in honor of Graham Bell’s stepfather Mel Schiff. The session ended with a compelling presentation by Mark Nutsch about his service in the mountains of Afghanistan.

Tuesday night featured a fun event at the Punch Bowl Social. Attendees had the choice of activities including bowling, Jenga, karaoke, pinball, and other arcade games while enjoying delicious food and drink.

Wednesday saw the end of the technical program and the Closing Luncheon Plenary. The lunch featured a fajita bar to give us a taste of our next destination, San Antonio. The winners of the Best Poster were announced, and the lunch ended with a presentation by engineer/comedian Dan McMillin, which included his signature PowerPoint that he noted was formatted on the official conference template. Busloads of attendees enjoyed our post-conference tours to the DigIndy Deep Rock Pump Station and the Kiss the Bricks tour of the Indianapolis Speedway.

Feedback from attendees consistently reiterated that they were glad to be back in person after so long and are looking forward to another great conference in San Antonio in 2023. We encourage you to submit an abstract or volunteer for the Pipelines 2023 Conference.