09/29/2026

Message from Beth--September 30, 2026

Advocacy Matters: New ACEC Ohio Advocacy Hub Helps Members Stay Engaged

Advocacy is one of the most important ways ACEC Ohio protects and advances the interests of Ohio's engineering industry. Decisions made by elected officials directly impact infrastructure investment, transportation funding, workforce development, procurement policies, taxation, regulation, and the overall business climate in which our member firms operate. That is why ACEC Ohio remains committed to ensuring the engineering profession has a strong, respected voice in public policy discussions.

To help members better understand and engage in these efforts, ACEC Ohio has launched a new Advocacy Hub on our website, a central resource highlighting our priorities from our advocacy plan. The site provides members with information on ACEC Ohio’s advocacy plan highlighting four core advocacy pillars, including downloadable one-page summaries that make it easier to engage with policymakers and candidates.

As Ohio moves through a highly competitive gubernatorial election cycle, building relationships with candidates and educating future leaders about the value of engineering has never been more important. ACEC Ohio has been actively meeting with candidates and discussing issues critical to our member firms. In June, the ACEC Ohio PAC Trustees hosted events with both gubernatorial candidates, giving members the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Ohio's engineering community.

These conversations are made possible through your support of the ACEC Ohio PAC. A strong PAC is an essential component of effective advocacy because it helps establish relationships and maintain meaningful dialogue with policymakers from both parties. Through those relationships, ACEC Ohio can elevate member concerns and ensure engineering perspectives are part of the discussion when important decisions are being made.

Our advocacy efforts remain focused on ACEC Ohio's four core pillars: protecting and strengthening Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS), securing sustainable infrastructure funding, advancing procurement and contracting reform, and strengthening Ohio's engineering workforce pipeline. These priorities help create a stronger business environment for engineering firms while supporting the long-term success of the communities and clients we serve.

As we approach the end of the year, I encourage every member to get involved. Visit the new Advocacy Hub to learn more about the issues shaping our industry, stay informed about ACEC Ohio's efforts, and discover ways to engage in the advocacy process. I also encourage you to support the ACEC Ohio PAC. Your participation helps ensure our industry continues to have a seat at the table and a voice in the decisions that affect our profession.

Finally, and most importantly, make your voice heard by voting this November. Advocacy begins with engagement, and together we can help shape a strong future for Ohio's engineering industry.

Learn more by visiting the ACEC Ohio Advocacy Hub.

~Beth