2026 01 28 CAPG MEETING
Meeting Title: CAPG Ongoing Activities & Initiatives Updates
Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Time: 7:00 AM & 4:00 PM (Beirut Time)
Platform: Online Meeting via Microsoft Teams
Presentation Slides: 2026-01-28_CAPG_Presentation_RE.pdf
- Attendees
Chair: Dr. Roger Estephan (RE)
Participants at 4 :00 PM:
- Shehab Wissa Agaiby
- Aline Kahwaji
- Ed Smit
- Hugo Acosta
- Van Impe Peter
- Detert, Oliver
- Pedro Fernández
- Amjad Alashqar
- Chris Martin
- Anna Borduzha
- Carolina Hidalgo
- Miguel NAVARRETE
- Albrion Symonette
- Abir Awad
Participants at 7 :00 AM:
- Harry Poulos
- Buddhima Indraratna
- Tamboura Hamidou Hamadoum
- Cholachat Rujikiatkamjorn
- Ang Koh An
- Richard kelly
Agenda Overview
RE opened the meeting, welcomed attendees, and presented the content as participants joined. He then introduced the agenda, outlining key discussion items, including and not limited to the below:
- CAPG LinkedIn Account Update
- PMGEC Pan Mediterranean Geotechnical Conference – Beirut, Lebanon; 2528 March 2026
- CAPG Marketing Ongoing Campaign and Progress
- ICSMGE 2026, Vienna Conference Preparations
- Heritage Time Capsule (HTC) Contributions @ICSMGE 2026
1. CAPG LinkedIn Account
The Chair RE reported that the CAPG LinkedIn page has reached over 140 followers. All Corporate Associate Members were encouraged to:
- Follow the CAPG LinkedIn account, and
- To invite colleagues and professional contacts to follow the page The objective is to further strengthen visibility and engagement within the geotechnical community.
2. PMGEC - Pan Mediterranean Geotechnical Engineering Conference – Beirut (25– 28 March 2026)
- RE stated that CAPG is planning to organise a panel discussion session during PMGEC Beirut conference that will be held in 25-28 March 2026.
- He described that potential participants include representatives from international societies, board members, and local industry stakeholders and the conference will be held in downtown Beirut, with a comprehensive and rich technical, and social programme.
- All Members in the region were encouraged to attend and participate, including as panel contributors where possible.
3. Marketing Campaign Progress
The Chair (RE) presented an update on the ongoing marketing campaign (it is in its second Month now), highlighting the following actions that were taken to date:
- Outreach to 90+ ISSMGE Member Societies through the ISSMGE Secretariat.
- Promotion via GeoWorld, Geoengineer, CAPG website, and CAPG LinkedIn.
- Direct one-to-one email invitations sent to approximately 600 individuals.
- Monitoring of CAPG webpage has been carried out and over 1,200 website visits recorded during campaign phases. The highest engagement was observed on the CAPG members listing page, indicating strong interest in existing membership.
RE invited and encouraged all Corporate Associates Members to:
- Use the prepared campaign materials and invite potential members to join CAPG.
- Actively approach contacts within their networks to promote CAPG membership.
4. ICSMGE Vienna 2026 Conference Preparations
- RE informed the CA members that five companies have been selected to participate in the CAPG Vienna session in ICSMGE 2026, in addition to a CAPG introductory presentation (six presenters total).
- A 30-minute session is planned, with approximately 4 minutes per presenter.
- Presentation materials will be supported by QR codes enabling:
- Access to shared materials.
- Direct follow-up with presenting companies.
- A proposal was made to organise an informal CAPG members’ gathering during the Vienna event, subject to confirmation.
5. Heritage Time Capsule (HTC) Contributions
- RE stated that six CAPG member companies have already submitted digital materials for inclusion and additional contributions are encouraged, including:
- Digital content (presentations, media, company materials)
- Physical items (books, instruments, geotechnical materials, etc.)
- He reminded the attendees that the Time Capsule will be sealed for 100 years following the Vienna event.
- All contributions require endorsement by CAPG prior to submission.
6. CA member participation
- Amjad Alashqar (Sequent) expressed strong support for CAPG initiatives and confirmed their:
- Commitment to promoting CAPG on LinkedIn.
- Participation in the Beirut PMGEC conference, March 2026.
- Support in recruiting additional CAPG members.
- RE thanked all participants for their engagement and continued support.
Action Items
- Reminder to all Corporate Associate members will be sent as emails to follow and promote CAPG LinkedIn account.
- Support CAPG membership and bring potential member to grow our community through ongoing campaigns and emails.
- PMGEC upcoming conference– working to finalize Beirut panel session details.
- Preparation of Vienna CAPG session materials & QR code.
- Encourage HTC contributions.
Meeting Closure
There being no further questions, the meeting was adjourned.
RE stated that the Minutes of Meeting will be circulated to all CA members.
