cdpACCESS Preview and Voting Test Anticipated as part of International Code Council Hearings

10th Anniversary Celebration, Training, Expo Also Highlight ICC’s 2013 Annual Conference

Following Group B Public Comment Hearings Oct. 2-10 in Atlantic City, N.J., the International Code Council (ICC) expects to conduct tests of the online voting process for a handful of proposed changes to the 2015 International Codes. The test is the next step in the development of cdpACCESS, ICC’s initiative to create the code development process of the future.

The current process will be unchanged: Code Council Voting Members will take action on public comments to proposed changes to the Group B International Codes at the Public Comment Hearings. Eligible Voting Members who attend the hearings will vote in person, as usual, when the moderator calls for a vote. This vote will determine the final outcome.

Following the hearings, eligible voters will be able to cast their votes on the selected code changes online. Eligible voters will receive a communication from ICC when the system is available. Since the online votes will be a test, the results will not be binding.

“While we will take exciting first steps in Atlantic City, it is important to remember that cdpACCESS is more than just remote voting,” said Code Council CEO Dominic Sims. “The ICC code development process encompasses several components leading up to the Committee Action and Public Comment Hearings, including submitting code changes and public comments and exchanging ideas and thoughts with colleagues and others with an interest in building safety. Ultimately, cdpACCESS will allow participation in all phases from a computer or tablet, regardless of the voter’s location.”

The Code Council’s plan is to launch cdpACCESS on Nov. 15 in time for the Group C code development cycle. The Group B Public Comment Hearings with cdpACCESS voting testing will be held in conjunction with the Code Council’s 2013 Annual Conference Sept. 29-Oct. 2 at the Atlantic City Convention Center. ICC will recognize its 10th Anniversary as a consolidated organization during the conference, which also will feature training, Membership Council meetings, ICC Board elections and the Annual Business Meeting, an awards luncheon, the 10th Annual Bob Fowler Motorcycle Ride, Chapter meetings, and an ICC Expo.

“This year marks a historic milestone in the rich history of the International Code Council,” said ICC Board of Directors President Ronald Piester, AIA. “Join us as we celebrate ICC’s 10th Anniversary with the theme, ‘Looking Back…Moving Forward,’ and appropriately remember the heroes and legends of ICC’s past while looking forward to the future of code development and our association.”

Register before Aug. 16 and receive discounts on full and daily conference rates. Specially negotiated hotel room rates range from $119-$159 per night, with lower government rates available on a limited basis. Hotel reservations must be made before Sept. 6 to ensure ICC rates.

The Code Council requires all Governmental Member Voting Representatives are registered and validated by Aug. 30 to be eligible to vote during the hearings and at the Annual Business Meeting. There is no charge to attend or participate in the Group B Public Comment Hearings, but registration is encouraged.

The 2013 ICC Education Program is designed around three themes: Evolving Education, Leveraging Existing Technology and Emerging Practices. Attendees can earn Continuing Education Units and Contact Hours while participating in the three-hour sessions. The annual Cracker Barrel education session will be held on Oct. 2.

Certification examinations will be administered twice daily at 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 3-4. Walk-in registration will be available from 7:30–8 a.m. and 1–1:30 p.m. on both dates.

A new schedule will allow conference attendees more time to visit the ICC Expo. Expo prize drawings will take place on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. Attendees will have a chance to win $25,000.

President Barack Obama and Gov. Chris Christie recently praised New Jersey’s rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Sandy. The boardwalk and Atlantic City are open for business and looking forward to hosting the International Code Council this fall.

Dave Jones, Founder and CEO of StormCenter Communications, Inc., will be the keynote speaker during the Members Luncheon. His topic will be, “Climate Change & Extreme Weather: What’s Going On and How Might Building Codes Be Affected?” Comedian Jimmy Carroll will perform at the Annual Banquet.

The International Code Council is a member-focused association. It is dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. Most U.S. communities and many global markets choose the International Codes.