MYNCEES
NCEES LogoNCEES Logo no background

Southern Zone Interim Meeting

Meeting details

April 23–25, 2026
The Royal Sonesta San Juan
5961 Isla Verde Avenue
Carolina, Puerto Rico 00979

The deadline for member boards to name funded delegates is January 13.

Registration will open in late January. Anyone funded to attend the meeting must use the registration link provided in the invitation.

The registration deadline for funded attendees is March 9. Fees for paying delegates and guests will increase by $50 after this date.

Welcome to the enchanting island of Puerto Rico for the 2026 Southern Zone interim meeting. The Puerto Rico Board of Examiners of Engineers and Land Surveyors looks forward to hosting you at The Royal Sonesta San Juan in Carolina. We invite you to explore our beautiful island, with notable sites such as Old San Juan, Yunque Rainforest, and El Morro, as well as our island’s hospitality, culture, and exceptional cuisine. Join us for an engaging and memorable experience.

Registration

Delegate registration fee: $450 for delegates, which includes Thursday’s welcome reception; Friday’s breakfast, lunch, and evening event; and Saturday’s breakfast. The registration fee will increase by $50 after March 9.

Guest registration fee: $400 for guests, which includes Thursday’s welcome reception; Friday’s breakfast and evening event; and Saturday’s breakfast. The registration fee will increase by $50 after March 9.

Registered guests may add a guest tour or lunch with delegates on Friday at NCEES’ costs for these events. Descriptions are provided in the ‘Meeting and event details’ section below and in the registration system.

  • City Art Museum Tour: $110
  • Old San Juan Walking Tour: $100
  • Awards luncheon with guest speaker: $80

Group tours on Thursday and Saturday (optional; pricing available online)

NCEES is working with an independent tour provider to make private tours available to delegates and guests on Thursday and Saturday. These must be booked directly with the tour operator, and a minimum number of attendees on each tour must be reached. If the minimum on any tour is not reached, the tour will be canceled, and full refunds will be given. bookeo.com/ncees_southern_zone

Registration process

The method used to register depends on whether you are funded by NCEES to attend the meeting. All NCEES-funded attendees will receive a special invitation via email containing detailed funding information and an individualized link to register.

Online registration should only be used by delegates who are not funded by NCEES. If your board has not yet named its funded delegates, you may wish to wait to register. Check if your board has already named its funded delegates.

Funded delegates should allow one week after their board has submitted the notification form to receive an invitation. If you have not received an invitation and feel you should have, email [email protected].

PAYING DELEGATES ($450) REGISTER

Meeting and event details

The NCEES zone interim meetings are held each spring for representatives from the member licensing boards to hear and discuss reports from the NCEES board of directors, CEO, standing committees, and task forces. The work of the committees and task forces results in motions that will be presented for Council vote at the annual meeting in August. Zone meeting delegates can ask questions and discuss possible annual meeting motions, and they are encouraged to take information back to their boards for further discussion. Member boards will provide individual board updates, and the Southern Zone will elect a secretary.

Friday awards luncheon with guest speaker, José Izquierdo Encarnación, BSCE, MCE, P.E., HACI

The awards luncheon will include recognition of the 2026 Southern Zone Distinguished Service Award recipients and a discussion on the infrastructure and maintenance of Old San Juan, the island’s most famous historic center. Engineer Izquierdo served as secretary of state of Puerto Rico and secretary of the Department of Transportation and Public Works. His roles have also included president of PORTICUS CSP, ACI honorary member, National Construction Safety Team Advisory Committee member, chair of the CIAPR Earthquake Committee, and chair of ACI COMM 314 Simplified Design of Concrete Buildings. Guests may choose to have lunch with the delegates for $80.

City Art Museum Tour (optional; $110)

Step into the vibrant world of Puerto Rico’s art scene. This four-hour tour combines the best of the island’s art. First, explore the renowned Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico (MAPR), followed by an immersion in the colorful, expressive urban art of Santurce. Conclude with a stroll through the historic cobblestone streets of Old San Juan. Physical requirement: Old San Juan has uneven cobblestone streets. Comfortable closed-toe flat shoes are strongly recommended. 

Old San Juan Walking Tour (optional; $100)

Experience the vibrant history of Puerto Rico! This four-hour tour begins with a ride through modern San Juan (Isla Verde, Condado, and past Fort San Gerónimo) before stepping into Old San Juan for a guided walking tour. The guide will take you to Fort San Cristóbal, an integral defense point against British, Dutch, and pirate attacks, before leading you through the narrow city streets, pointing out landmarks like La Rogativa, the San Juan Cathedral, and Capilla del Cristo. Marvel at the 17th-century Spanish ironwork, stroll on the blue-black cobblestones, and explore local shops. Physical requirement: This tour requires extensive walking (up to three miles) over uneven cobblestone streets. Comfortable closed-toe flat shoes are strongly recommended.

Friday evening event

Indulge in authentic cuisine at the hotel while enjoying live entertainment that captures the unique spirit of the island. Hosted drinks will be available.

Group tours on Thursday and Saturday (optional; pricing available online)

NCEES is working with an independent tour provider to make private tours available to delegates and guests on Thursday and Saturday. These must be booked directly with the tour operator, and a minimum number of attendees on each tour must be reached. If the minimum on any tour is not reached, the tour will be canceled, and full refunds will be given. bookeo.com/ncees_southern_zone

Business casual attire is appropriate for all meetings (for example, polo shirts, blouses, slacks, skirts, khakis, or dress pants). The evening events are resort casual.

Elections

An election will be held at the 2026 Southern Zone interim meeting. The term will begin at the conclusion of the annual meeting in August. Candidate pages will be added when campaign materials are received.

2026–28 Southern Zone secretary candidates

Hotel

The meeting will be held at the Royal Sonesta San Juan. NCEES has negotiated a room rate of $339 for standard laguna-view rooms, single or double occupancy. Current taxes are 9 percent. Required fees include maid gratuity ($2 per person per day) and a one-time bellman fee ($5.50 per person). The daily resort fee (22 percent of the room rate, plus applicable taxes) is waived for those who stay within the NCEES room block.

Upgrade your guestroom view

Individuals have the option to upgrade to a room with a different view based on availability at the time of the request. Funded attendees will see availability at the time they register.

  • Garden or pool view: $369/night
  • Ocean view: $399/night

Extended stays

The room rate may be available before and after the meeting based on availability at the time of the request. Funded attendees will see availability at the time they register.

Check-in is after 4:00 p.m.; checkout is at 11:00 a.m.

The hotel does not provide an airport shuttle. See the “Travel and local information” section of this page for important ground transportation information. Arrangements should be considered in advance of arrival.

Full funding details will be provided in individual invitations. Accommodation funding is not transferable to alternate dates.

NCEES will be direct-billed for the standard room rate, taxes, and required fees for funded nights. Attendees are responsible for paying for any room upgrades, additional nights, and maid gratuity and bellman fees for guests at checkout. Upgrades and additional nights are subject to availability and may sell out during registration.

Register online by March 9. NCEES will make hotel reservations for NCEES-funded attendees (such as funded delegates, past presidents, and zone officers) based on information provided during registration. A hotel confirmation will be emailed about two weeks before the meeting.

Delegates not funded by NCEES can make hotel reservations after registering for the meeting. The link will be provided in the registration confirmation email.

Register and reserve accommodations as early as possible before the NCEES room block is exhausted. The NCEES room block will close shortly after March 9. NCEES may cancel any reservations made within the block if there is not a matching registration for the meeting.

Self-parking (currently $15 per night) is available at the hotel.

Travel and local information

Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport is located two miles (10 minutes) from the hotel.

If you are funded by NCEES to attend the zone meeting, you must arrange your flight through Travel Inc. Booking instructions are provided in the personal invitations.

The hotel does not provide an airport shuttle.

Taxis are available. The fare is a $10 fixed rate for up to five passengers, plus required airport and luggage surcharges. The total cost is typically under $20, including gratuity.

Uber is also available. Fares are typically under $20, including gratuity.

Lyft began operation in Puerto Rico in July 2025. Availability is currently limited, so using taxis or Uber is recommended.

To start planning your trip and discover all the amazing things to do—like exploring the bioluminescent bays or enjoying the local cuisine—visit the Discover Puerto Rico tourism site here: www.discoverpuertorico.com/things-to-do.

Other

NCEES will fund the lodging and travel expenses and meeting registration fees for the designated member board administrator from each member board. When an MBA represents more than one board, the funding will be for the designated MBA only and not for the assistant MBA or for member board staff. In addition, NCEES will fund the lodging and travel expenses and meeting registration fees for three voting delegates from each eligible member board. NCEES will be direct-billed for airfare and hotel room and tax charges for up to three nights (April 23, 24, and 25—funded nights must fall within this date range; accommodation funding is not transferable to other dates).

For delegates to qualify for this funding, NCEES must be notified of their identity by January 13. Substitutions can be sent to [email protected] until March 9.

Funded attendees must register and make travel arrangements for the meeting by March 9. If you have questions about funding, send an email to [email protected].

Links to our current policies can be found here.

All registrations for NCEES zone meetings should be submitted with payment by the registration deadline. Registrations that have not been paid by April 8 will be canceled.

Only written refund requests as outlined below will be considered.

Written requests should be sent to the NCEES Meetings Department and must include

  • Name of registrant for whom refund is requested
  • Name of member board or other organization represented
  • Name and address of party to whom the refund should be issued (if payment was originally made by check)

Complete requests for refund received at least 31 days prior to the meeting will be granted, less a $35 administrative fee per registration.

Complete requests for refund received 15 to 30 days prior to the meeting will be granted, less a $100 administrative fee per registration.

Refund requests received fewer than 15 days prior to the first day of the meeting will not be granted.

Note: Registration fees may be transferred to the credit of a substitute delegate upon request at no additional charge.

Refund exceptions for medical reason or family emergency

Delegate: A delegate who cancels attendance for a documented medical reason or family emergency will be granted a full refund.

Guest: NCEES is unable to refund any costs already incurred for a guest at the time of cancellation. Individual guest costs (i.e., guest tour, hotel meals, catering, or optional events) are incurred once a guarantee is submitted as required by each vendor. A refund will be granted, less any of these already incurred costs at the time of cancellation. No refund is typically possible within seven days of the event.