The Deep Foundations Institute (DFI) will bring together policymakers, owners, designers and builders at its 51st Annual Conference (DFI51), taking place Nov. 2–5, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. The conference opens with a plenary session based on the conference theme, “Sea Level Impacts: Navigating Challenges Together.”
Invited speakers are delivering the following presentations:
- “Opening Perspective: A Message from Major General Kelly,” U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Deputy Commanding General
- “USACE’s National and International Strategy for Addressing Sea Level Change,” Vanessa Bateman, P.G., P.E., BC.GE, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- “The USACE Sea Level Program: From Scope to Implementation,” Will Veatch, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- “From Data to Decisions: USACE Modeling and Analytical Tools,” Norberto Nadal, Ph.D., U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory
- “On the Ground: USACE Sea Level Projects in Florida,” Max Millstein, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Atlantic Division
- “The Foundation of Progress: Shaping the Future Through Measurements, Investigations, and Standards,” Sissy Nikolaou, Ph.D., P.E., BC.GE, National Institute of Standards and Technology
“There’s an immediate need to incorporate resilience to sea level impacts into our built environment,” says Lisa Papandrea, P.E., Underpinning and Foundation Skanska and DFI51 Program Co-Chair. “DFI51 brings together policymakers, owners, designers and builders to learn from one another and advance cooperative solutions to this challenge.”
The technical program features focused morning plenary sessions and five afternoon concurrent tracks covering sea level topics, traditional DFI topics and Manufacturers, Suppliers and Service Providers (MSSP) sessions.
Highlights include presentations and panel discussions on:
- Engineering with Nature, Greening the Foundation of Future Coasts: Why, How and What’s Next
- Coastal Resilience: Global Perspectives
- Venice Rising
- Storm Surge Barriers | Rising Seas, Resilient Barriers
- Defending Coastal Utilities
- From Risk to Resilience
- Protecting the Waterfront
- Shaping the Future East Coast
“Sea level rise is no longer a future challenge – it’s a present reality,” says Lucky Nagarajan, Geocomp and DFI Organizing Committee member. “The DFI51 Conference is the intersection of challenge and opportunity – where innovation, collaboration and new markets are emerging to shape the future of resilient infrastructure. The conference is bringing the right minds together to turn the challenge of sea level impact into actionable, resilient solutions.”
Beyond the technical program, DFI51 will include the presentation of DFI’s Outstanding Project Award, Distinguished Service Award and Student and Young Professor Paper Competition winners.
Attendees will also have opportunities to connect through events including the annual Women in Deep Foundations Networking Reception, Welcome Reception and Park After Dark Reception at SeaWorld. Attendees can explore the latest products, equipment and technologies in the exhibit hall and connect with the people driving innovation across the industry.
For more information on DFI51 or to register, visit dfi-events.org/dfi51.
About DFI: DFI (www.dfi.org) is an international association of contractors, engineers, manufacturers, suppliers, academics and owners in the geotechnical industry. Our multidisciplinary membership creates a consensus voice and a common vision for continual improvement in geotechnical and geoenvironmental design, manufacturing and construction. We bring together members for networking, education, communication and collaboration. With our members, we promote the advancement of the industry through technical committees, educational programs and conferences, publications, research, government relations and outreach. DFI has more than 4,500 members worldwide.
Contact: Theresa Engler, DFI Executive Director, (973) 423-4030, tengler@dfi.org