Take a Capitol Tour with SMPS Wisconsin on June 8 in Madison
Just how much impact does the government have on the AEC industry? In this SMPS Wisconsin event, we will take a tour of the prominent Wisconsin State Capitol building, learning more about its history and impressive architectural features.
Following the tour, Bob Cook, Senior Vice President of Government Relations at HNTB, will provide an informative presentation at The Old Fashioned on the Capitol Square. This presentation will delve into how legislation directly impacts the AEC industry.
The day will be capped off with a happy hour, including appetizers and two drink tickets.
Additional details can be found below. This event will involve a lot of walking so please plan accordingly.
PRESENTER BIO
Bob Cook, Senior Vice President, Government Relations, HNTB
Bob returned to HNTB in 2016 after serving as Vice President of the Milwaukee Bucks where he was responsible for working with state and local legislators to pass 2015 Wisconsin Act 60, a bill to authorize and fund a new sports and entertainment arena in Milwaukee. He has also been involved in the process to develop a 30-acre district surrounding the arena that will transform downtown Milwaukee.
Prior to joining the Bucks, Bob was Vice President and Director of Government Relations for HNTB Corporation from 2007-2014. He also served as executive director of the Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin, a 400-member trade association that promotes statewide transportation investment. Bob was the association’s primary spokesperson and developed programs to educate the public and policy makers about the needs and challenges of the state’s transportation system. He also served as executive assistant to the secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, where he assisted in setting transportation policy for the state’s programs and was a liaison between the department, USDOT, federal, state and local elected officials and the public.
Bob also has served as project director for the House Committee on Science in Washington, DC; legislative director for Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner; deputy director of Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson’s Wisconsin Office of Federal-State Relations; and legislative assistant to Congressman Scott Klug.
Bob has extensive experience working with elected officials to build consensus for infrastructure projects and get the funding necessary to build them. In 2012, he was appointed by Senate Majority Leader, Scott Fitzgerald, to the Wisconsin Transportation Policy and Finance Committee.
Bob grew up in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin and is a graduate of UW-Madison.
SCHEDULE
Capitol Tour – 2:00 PM (tour begins promptly on the hour)
Presentation – 3:30 PM
Happy Hour – Following presentation
COST
SMPS Wisconsin Members – $25
SMPS WisconsinNon-members – $45
LOGISTICS
Capitol Tour
Tours begin promptly on the hour. The tour will begin in the tour orientation center located in the southeast basement of the Capitol. Access the orientation center via the metal doors beneath the grand stairs on Martin Luther King Blvd. Please allow sufficient time to arrive and be ready to start. If you arrive late, you may be asked to join the tour in progress or your tour may be shortened. Groups may be combined. The tour will last approximately 45 to 55 minutes. Groups may see the Rotunda, the Supreme Court, the Governor’s Conference Room, the Assembly, the Senate and the North Hearing Room (all subject to availability). The observation deck is open daily from May 1 through November 1.
NOTE: If you have questions or need directions, please see the information desk on the ground floor of the rotunda.
Public parking is available around the Capitol. Additional details found here.
Cameras with flash and video recorders are allowed in all areas of the Capitol except in the legislative galleries during floor sessions. Wheelchair access is available at the Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Wisconsin, East Washington and West Washington Avenue entrances.
Presentation and Happy Hour
The presentation and Happy Hour will be held in the upstairs room at The Old Fashioned, a Madison favorite. The Old Fashioned is located on the Square at 23 North Pinckney Street, near the corner of Hamilton and Pinckney (map).
