Executive Summary

Following a comprehensive review of operating expenses and substantial administrative modernizations over the past seven months, the Wyoming Engineering & Surveying Society (WES) held a special membership meeting on October 29, 2026 .

The primary purpose of the meeting was to present an updated financial breakdown of fixed operational costs and vote on a revised annual dues rate . Through proactive software transitions, restructured administrative allocations, and streamlined operations, WES has cut annual fixed expenses by more than half . In light of these savings, the membership voted unanimously to reduce the annual dues from the previously adopted $225 rate down to $100 per year, effective for the 2027 calendar year .

Background: The Need for an Operational Review

At the annual business meeting in February 2026, fixed operating costs were projected at $47,400 against an active dues-paying membership base of 209 members ($70/year), resulting in an unsustainable operating shortfall of approximately $32,770 . To eliminate this deficit, a one-year rate of $225 was adopted .

In response, the Board and Finance Committee committed to a rigorous top-to-bottom expense review to drive costs down and establish a sustainable, long-term dues model that serves our members without unnecessary financial burden .

Key Cost-Reduction Measures & Modernizations

1. Software & Hosting Modernization (Cvent Transition to WildApricot):

   • Previous Annual Cost: $18,400 ($13,700 for Cvent convention management + $4,700 website hosting) .

   • New Annual Cost: Approximately $4,000 total .

   • Impact: Transitioning to WildApricot unifies our website, membership database, convention registration, and event management under a single platform, yielding roughly $14,000 in recurring annual savings .

2. Executive Director Compensation Realignment:

   • Previous Allocation: $26,400 allocated entirely to general membership fixed expenses .

   • New Allocation: $13,200 allocated to fixed membership operations, with the remaining 50% distributed directly to annual convention operations .

   • Rationale: Approximately half of executive administrative efforts are directly dedicated to convention logistics, venue coordination, speaker management, and convention financial planning .

3. Financial Accounting Integration:

   • Transitioned organizational bookkeeping from static spreadsheets to QuickBooks, providing standard Profit & Loss tracking, improved accounting controls, and transparent financial reporting moving forward .

Fixed Operating Budget Comparison

Expense Item	Previous Amount (Feb 2026)	Revised Amount (Oct 2026)
Executive Director	$26,400	$13,200
Website & Organization Software	$18,400	$4,000
Office Supplies	$2,600	$1,000
Other Operating Expenses	—	$1,500
Total Annual Fixed Expenses	$47,400	$19,700

Total fixed operating expenses have been reduced by $27,700 annually (over 58%) .

Official Motion & Membership Vote

With fixed expenses reduced to $19,700, an annual rate of $100 covers all core operating expenses while building a responsible surplus :

• At 250 Members: Generates $25,000 in revenue ($5,300 net gain) .

• At 300 Members: Generates $30,000 in revenue ($10,300 net gain) .

During the meeting, the following action was taken:

• Motion: To reduce the WES annual membership dues rate from the previously approved $225 down to $100 per year .

• Second: Duly seconded on the floor .

• Vote: Submitted via direct digital poll of attendees; passed unanimously with 28 Yes, 0 No .

• Effective Date: January 1, 2027 (reflected on 2027 convention registrations and membership renewals) .

New Website & Member Portal Features

Members are encouraged to visit and explore the revamped website at wyomingengineeringsociety.org :

• Centralized Hub: Manage membership renewals, convention registrations, golf tournament sign-ups, and speaker submissions all in one portal .

• Member Login: Membership registration is open and integrated into the platform .

• Convention Recordings & PDH Self-Certification: Active members can access recorded technical sessions from past conventions under the Sessions portal and download self-certification forms to document Continuing Education / PDH credits .

Fall 2026

Join Us in Casper for the 2027 WES Convention

Mark your calendars for February 3–5, 2027, as the Wyoming Engineering and Surveying Society gathers in Casper for our annual convention. Join fellow engineers and surveyors for technical presentations, professional development, and opportunities to connect with colleagues from across Wyoming.

The convention is currently planned for the Western Heritage Hotel and Conference Center, formerly the Ramkota Hotel. The WES Board is confirming venue arrangements, and additional details will be shared soon.

Convention registration and hotel booking information will follow. In the meantime, visit www.wyomingengineeringsociety.org and create an account to stay up to date on WES news and convention announcements.

Preliminary Presentation Lineup

The Board and convention organizers are continuing to develop the program. Presentations currently slated for the convention include:

• Responsibilities of an Owner’s Representative — An Ethics Case Study
• The Power of Injected Polyurethanes — Our Largest Projects Using Expanding Structural Polyurethanes
• Building Wyoming’s Next Generation of Engineers and Surveyors — Recruit, Retain, and Lead
• Wastewater and Water Utility Regionalization
• Ethical Use of AI in Engineering V2
• Wyoming Construction Liens and Notices
• A Day in the Life of a Water and Wastewater Utility
• Liquid Only Sewer — Enabling Economic Growth Through Scalable Wastewater Infrastructure
• SLAM Scans for Critical Infrastructure Location
• Working with USDA Rural Development as a Funding Partner
• Beyond the Surface — Navigating Sludge Dynamics in Facultative Lagoon Systems

The lineup is preliminary and subject to change as the program is finalized.

Presentation opportunities remain available. We welcome proposals covering engineering and surveying projects, technical information, professional development, emerging practices, and other topics that would benefit WES members. Share your experience, lessons learned, or a project with your colleagues.

Proposals are being accepted while presentation slots remain available. Visit the WES presentation submission page to submit your proposal.

Potential Convention Tour

We are working to arrange a convention tour with Wyld Gear, a local Casper Wyoming company. Details are still being coordinated, and we look forward to sharing more information once arrangements are confirmed.

Awards and Student Recognition

The WES Presidential Project of the Year Awards recognize excellence in engineering and surveying projects benefiting Wyoming. The program includes small and large engineering project categories and a surveying project category, providing opportunities to recognize a range of work across our professions.

We encourage members to consider submitting a project and to visit the Project of the Year webpage for current guidelines and entry information.

WES also continues to support the next generation through scholarships and Student of the Year awards, while recognizing professional contributions through the Engineer of the Year award. These programs remain an important part of our Society’s commitment to students and the professions we serve.

New WES Website and Membership Portal

Our new website and membership portal bring membership management, event registration, and Society news together in one place.

Please visit www.wyomingengineeringsociety.org to create an account or sign in, review your member information, and stay connected. The website will provide convention updates, registration information, and hotel booking details as they become available.

Help Make the Convention a Success

WES relies on volunteers to keep our committees and conventions successful. We encourage members to get involved, whether by helping at the registration table, serving as a session moderator, or assisting with presentation recordings and the convention’s virtual components.

If you are interested in helping, please contact a WES Board member or use the contact form on our website. Your time and participation help make these opportunities available to our membership.

We look forward to seeing you in Casper!

Respectfully submitted,

Garrett Zimmer, P.E.
President, Wyoming Engineering and Surveying Society

“Support and Enhance Participation Among Individuals Involved in the Engineering and Surveying Professions in the State of Wyoming”

2026 began with a highly successful 106th Annual Convention at the Ramada in Sheridan. Clear winter roads allowed for a strong turnout of 348 registrants, including 38 for ACEC courses and 51 for ASCE. The venue was packed with 29 exhibitors, and all attendees received WES-logoed golf balls—a reminder of our upcoming summer fundraiser!

Session Availability & PDH Credits

While sessions were not live-streamed, all presentations were recorded and are currently hosted on our Cvent platform. This allows attendees and late registrants to review technical topics and earn additional PDH credits throughout the year.

Keynote Speakers & Awards

Our membership enjoyed presentations from Andrew Johnson (Bighorn National Forest) on Elk Fire rehabilitation and Bill Brewer on the history of the LaPrele Dam project. Dr. Daniel Dale, Interim Dean of CEPS, provided the UW update as we recognized our student leaders.

WES provided approximately $34,000 to University of Wyoming students in the form of scholarships and Student of the Year Awards.  The Wyoming Engineering and Surveying Society believes strongly in supporting UW engineering and surveying students and continues to do so annually through our robust and healthy scholarship and award program.  A big thank you to our membership and convention attendees who support this important endeavor. 

Revamped submission requirements for the Project of the Year resulted in six entries across three categories. Congratulations to our winners:

• Large Engineering Project: Martin/Martin Wyoming (UW Residence & Dining Halls)
• Small Engineering Project: Morrison-Maierle (Sheridan County Brooks Street Greenspace)
• Surveying Project: Jorgensen Associates (Hoback Club Condominiums)

The 2025 Engineer of the Year was awarded by President Jeff Young to longtime WES member, and previous Past President, Murray Schroeder.

WES Board Member

Additional newcomer to WES in 2026, Ms. Jackie Alexander will serve as WES Secretary/Treasurer.  Welcome, and thank you, Jackie!

Financial Planning & Future Dues

Following our annual Business Meeting, the Board is actively cutting costs while increasing member benefits. We are transitioning our membership and convention platform from Cvent to Wild Apricot. This switch will streamline registration and website management while providing significant cost savings. The Board and Financial Committee continue to evaluate further ways to reduce member dues.

Save The Dates!

• ·         2nd Annual WES Scholarship Golf Tournament: August 7, 2026 – Douglas, WY
• ·         107th Annual WES Convention: February 3–5, 2027 – Ramkota of Casper.
• o   Watch for the Call for Presentations issuing mid-summer!

Garrett Zimmer, P.E.

President, Wyoming Engineering Society

WES Membership

The 2026 WES Convention was held at the Ramada in Sheridan, and the weather was exceptionally good.  The attendance was high with 348 registrants, and a great time was had by all.  WES teamed up with ACEC and ASCE this year, with 38 registrants for ACEC courses and 51 registrants for ASCE courses.  The venue was also packed with 29 exhibitors.  Golf balls affixed with WES logo were provided as registration gifts, providing a reminder for all to participate in the 2nd Annual WES Golf Tournament in August of 2026.

2026/2027 WES Board

Garrett Zimmer, P.E. – President

Lyle Casciato, P.L.S. – Vice President

Jackie Alexander, P.E., P.G. – Secretary/Treasurer

Jeff Young, P.E. – Past President

On-Demand Session Recordings

We know that with multiple courses running at once, it’s impossible to be in two rooms at the same time. To ensure you get the most out of your registration, all session recordings from the 2026 Convention are now available via our CVent platform.

• Access recordings of any technical sessions or keynote presentations you were unable to attend in person.
• Watching these recordings is an excellent way to gain additional PDH / CE credits throughout the year to help meet your licensing requirements.

You can log in to the CVent attendee portal using the credentials from your registration to start watching today!

Membership Dues

While we celebrate our successes, we must also address the financial health of the Society. For several years, our fixed operating costs have outpaced our dues revenue, requiring us to bridge the gap using our investment funds.

To ensure WES remains a sustainable, self-supporting organization, the membership moved, voted, and approved a one-time updated dues rate of $225. This new rate will take effect during the 2027 Casper Convention registration cycle.

Why $225?

We want every member to understand the "why" behind this decision. Our current annual fixed operating costs total $45,400, see the table breakdown below. By taking our total dues-paying members numbers of ~210 and dividing our total fixed cost, we end up around $217/member. A motion was made by membership during the annual business meeting, and was subsequently voted and moved, to increase dues to $225 for one year, at which time the one-time increase would expire and a new dues recommendation would be presented by the Finance Committee.

Expense Category	Annual Cost
Executive Director	$26,400
Organization Management Software	$13,800
Website Hosting	$4,700
Office Supplies	$500
Total Fixed Costs	$45,400

What the Board is Doing to Lower Costs

The Board is actively working to lower our overhead so that we can return to a lower dues rate in the future. We are currently reviewing our software and convention packages to consolidate into a single, modern platform. Our goal is to significantly reduce the $18,500 currently spent on software and website hosting while improving your user experience.

The number of members who have paid dues at least once between 2022-2025 is approximately 348.  This makes us optimistic that we can increase the number of regular dues paying members.  Dividing the annual fixed operating costs by 348 would allow dues of $130 to cover these same annual operating expenses (fixed costs); and even lower as we work to decrease overhead costs!

We are also reaching out to all disciplines of our engineering community to grow our membership beyond our regular, or occasional, attendees. Our state is full of fantastic and knowledgeable engineers, and we want to highlight the benefits that becoming a member of WES provides. From PDH / CE credits to networking, from giving back to our students to socializing, we feel as though WES is a society worth participation and we aim to grow our membership!  

Save the Dates

• 2nd Annual WES Scholarship Golf Tournament
• • When: August 7^th, 2026
  • Where: Douglas Wyoming Community Golf Course
  • Why: 100% of proceeds support the WES Scholarship Fund.
• 107th Annual WES Convention
• • When: February 3–5, 2027
  • Where: Casper, WY

Thank you for your understanding and your continued dedication to the Wyoming engineering community.

Best regards,

Garrett Zimmer, P.E.

President, Wyoming Engineering Society