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Joe Bates

Senior Research Consultant
ACEC Research Institute

Joe Bates serves as a senior research consultant for the ACEC Research Institute.

Joe has nearly 30 years of experience in the research profession and is an expert in qualitative and quantitative research design, implementation, analysis, and consulting. Before founding his firm, The Institute for Association and Nonprofits, in 2016, Joe led the research efforts at several large associations including the Consumer Technology Association, the Global Business Travel Association, and the American College for Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Joe is a seasoned speaker and media spokesperson, presenting research hundreds of times in dozens of cities around the world and serving as a guest lecturer at several universities and numerous industry conferences. Joe has been interviewed or quoted by hundreds of media outlets across the globe, including the NBC Nightly News, National Public Radio (NPR), CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Forbes and Investor’s Business Daily.

Sessions

Opening General Session

Featuring Jake Wood, Alyson Watson, Linda Bauer Darr, Thomas Grogan, Joe Bates, Diana O’Lare at 8:00 AM on Monday, October 26th.

The Fall Conference opens with a timely look at the forces shaping the engineering industry and the leadership needed to navigate what comes next. ACEC President & CEO Linda Bauer Darr will welcome attendees before a panel of economic, market intelligence, research, and firm leaders examines the outlook for the engineering industry, including the market…

The 2026 Economic Assessment and Forecast of the Engineering and Design Services Industry

Featuring Joe Bates at 10:30 AM on Monday, October 26th.

The engineering and design industry continues to operate in a complex economic environment shaped by shifting market conditions, evolving client demand, labor challenges, and ongoing uncertainty about the broader U.S. economy. What does the latest data tell us about where the industry is headed next? Join ACEC Research Institute Senior Research Consultant Joseph Bates and…

From Fragmented Data to Intelligent Infrastructure

Featuring Joe Bates, Brandye Hendrickson, Andy Rahden, Lisa M. Robert, PE at 2:15 PM on Monday, October 26th.

As artificial intelligence, digital twins, and data-driven decision making become integral to infrastructure delivery and management, the strategic value of connected data has never been greater. Yet many organizations continue to struggle with fragmented information, disconnected systems, and inconsistent data practices that limit collaboration, reduce efficiency, and reduce the long-term value of infrastructure information. This…