2012 TAC conference & Exhibition

Hopewell Rocks
Photo: Department of Tourism and Parks, New Brunswick

October 14-17 ~ Fredericton, New Brunswick

Transportation: Innovations and Opportunities

 

 

LION’S DEN - Innovating Ideas into Reality

Monday, October 15 – 14:15-17:00

Have you ever thought of implementing an innovating concept or process in your organization?  Have you ever witnessed a colleague introduce a novel idea that was rejected by an organization unwilling to accept change? 

Innovators are dedicated people who want to turn their vision into reality. They use the latest science, tools and technology at their disposal to bring their ideas to life. Witness how innovative ideas in the transportation industry are introduced to the Lion’s Den!  A panel made up of industry leaders judge and assess innovations that are relevant to your industry. Witness how decisions are made related to innovative ideas from beginning to end and hear the Lions debate and proclaim their verdict. Join us for this exciting interactive event!

INSIDE THE LION’S DEN

The Lion’s Den features four key groups of participants: Innovators, Lions, Audience Members, and you the viewer. 

Innovators will pitch their ideas to the lions. Their objective is to obtain support (testing, resources or guidance) in the desired format needed for implementation in their organization. The innovators can achieve their goal by striking a deal with a member, or all members of the Lion’s Den.

 

Lions evaluate the proposed innovations on behalf of each organization. They may choose to support the proposal or reject it. The jury’s final decision can be made independently or as a team. Their objective is to engage the innovators by evaluating if concepts should be implemented at an organizational level.

Audience members will witness the exchange between these two groups and have an opportunity to provide feedback after each presentation. They can help innovators recognize their current attitudes towards accepting risk through innovation to promote change at an organizational level. 

You! Viewers will have the opportunity to vote for each innovator in real time by the use of an electronic audience response system to confirm your thoughts of the innovation.

THE INNOVATORS

 

Winners were determined by the following criteria:

  • Brief explanation of idea

  • Relevance to conference theme

  • Trial or implementation stage, and required implementation steps

  • Resources and support required for implementation

  • Value to transportation agency

  • Benefits and return on investment – monetary or otherwise

  • Potential for broader use and ease of knowledge transfer

  • Degree of risk and management plans

After much deliberation, The Lion’s Den Review Committee selected the following innovators to appear on TAC’s very first “Lion’s Den”:

 

Rope Access Maintenance Inc. (RAM)          

  • Paul Tessier, Chief Executive Officer

 Softree Technical  Systems Inc.         

  • Craig Speirs, President and David Mills, Software Engineer

 EZ Street Canada (part of the Mainroad Group of Companies)

  • Christopher Hunt, National Manager

THE LIONS

  • The Honourable Claude Williams, Minister, New Brunswick Department of Transportation and Infrastructure

  • Al Humphries, Assistant Deputy Minister, Alberta Transportation

  • Helena Borges, Assistant Deputy Minister, Program Group, Transport Canada

  • Steven Damp, Senior-Vice President, EllisDon Corporation

THE AUDIENCE MEMBERS

 

  • Doug McNeil, Deputy Minister, Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation

  • Steve Cripps, Executive Director, Provincial Highways Management Division, Ministry of Transportation, Ontario

  • His Worship, Brad Woodside, Mayor of the City of Fredericton

  • Michel Gravel, Executive Director, Transportation Association of Canada

YOU - OUR VIEWERS!

 

Remember, you must pre-register to attend the Lion’s Den as space is limited. As a conference delegate, don’t miss your opportunity to be in the first group to take part in this interactive event.  Vote as you see fit! Simultaneous Interpretation will be provided.