Welcome to the 2017 Engineering Mechanics Institute Conference (EMI 2017), the premier annual US-based conference of the EMI, to be held at the Omni San Diego Hotel, San Diego, CA, on June 4-7, 2017. The conference features an extensive technical program that includes plenary lectures, technical minisymposia, student poster and paper competitions, and short courses. The plenary lectures feature highly-cited engineers and scientists representing several important areas of engineering mechanics. Although the congress technical program is quite busy, be sure to take time to enjoy San Diego and its surroundings. This part of Southern California is one of the most desirable locations in North America in terms of its geography, climate, and the natural beauty and cultural diversity it offers.