2022 Conference & Exhibition Wrap-Up

Monday, October 17, 2022

Thank you to everyone who took part in our in-person Conference – the 2022 TAC Conference & Exhibition – in particular our local hosts, Alberta Transportation, the City of Calgary and the City of Edmonton, for their partnership and collaboration.

Without the involvement and continued support of many TAC volunteers who organized and moderated the sessions, the presenters, the interest of those who attended, the exhibiting companies, and TAC’s 2022 sponsors, the TAC Conference & Exhibition would not be possible.

The event saw an increased participation from previous years with over 1220 people registered to attend in-person. More than 62 companies were involved in the Exhibition the Conference offered a full program of 87 technical sessions, panels and workshops and 12 technical tours across multiple tracks that were aligned with topics concerning TAC’s councils and committees.

“I think the turnout, in terms of delegates, sponsors and exhibitors is a testament to how much we all missed the opportunity to connect and how much we know we can gain from sharing and learning and working together here at the Conference.”
Sarah Wells, TAC Executive Director

 

 

The Conference saw many firsts, including our first live-streamed session for the Opening Plenary with Kevin Volk, Assistant Deputy Minister, Major Projects, Infrastructure & Properties, BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Kate Rich, Assistant Deputy Minister and Stewardship Commissioner, Alberta Environment and Parks, Ethan Askey, Manager, Environmental Systems, City of Calgary and Frédéric Pellerin, Assistant Deputy Minister, Engineering and Infrastructure, Ministère des transports du Québec. Other live-streamed events include the Monday and Wednesday Lunch. Recordings of these events are now available for free.

This year’s Opening Plenary Session offered perspectives on the Conference theme, Changing Ways for our Changing Climate. Panelists tackled questions about transportation planning and engineering practices to address climate change, the financial implications of building more resilient systems, and strategies for responding effectively to future events.

Supporting the Conference theme, the 2022 Conference was also TAC’s most sustainably-planned event ever. Our approaches to planning and hosting the event conserved and reused resources, reduced and recycled waste, and reduced and offset carbon emissions. Emissions produced by attendees’ travel to, and participation in, the event are being offset by the purchase of certified Gold Standard carbon credits. A donation to Alberta-based activities promoting CO2 capture and climate change mitigation is also being made. Another first at a TAC Conference, on Tuesday delegates were treated to a vegetarian menu, creating half the carbon emissions compared to a meat-based meal.

Delegates attending the Welcome Reception had the opportunity to meet and network with some of the top companies and leaders in the transportation sector for the opening of the 2022 Exhibition. Insightful conversations with visitors and lively exchanges with business partners or potential collaborators were had between delegates and the exhibitors.

While touring the Exhibition, delegates had the occasion to try out Ledcor’s snow plow simulator and a truck simulator from the Alberta Motor Transport Association. The Exhibition continues to be a valuable complement to the learning experienced during the technical sessions and tours offered throughout the Conference. 

The technical tours gave delegates a chance to see and learn about Edmonton’s evolving transportation infrastructure, while the technical presentations, panel discussions and workshops covered a broad range of expertise, projects, and innovations. The opportunity to hear about the successes and challenges of every project and experience highlighted in the presentations provided learning opportunities for all of us.

During the Conference, TAC honoured its difference-makers – members who have contributed their time and effort to help advance the work of the Association and to improve transportation in Canada. Congratulations to these deserving individuals; learn more about each award and the recipients.

Tuesday was Student Day at the TAC Conference, an opportunity to share knowledge, broaden experiences, and welcome new faces to TAC’s network! TAC recognized and awarded the TAC Student Paper Award winners during the Tuesday lunch. Congratulations to Mohamed Saleh, first place winner, for his paper entitled, Evaluation of Cracking Resistance and Permanent Deformation of Control and Fibre Modified Plant Produced Hot Mix Asphalt.

During the Wednesday Lunch, TAC President, Sarah Thiele, outlined the Association’s key activities and milestones of the past year – and it was a busy one! The exceptional contributions made by member organizations thorough TAC’s Technical Achievement Awards were also recognized. View the 2022 Technical Achievement Awards Video shown at the Conference and learn more about each award and recipient.  

“For me, in addition to the tremendous learning opportunities our annual Conference always provides, my biggest takeaway was the many excellent opportunities to network with and learn from the other passionate transportation professionals. The hallway discussions, corner huddles, and meal conversations were robust.”
Sarah Wells, TAC Executive Director

Those who registered for the Conference will have full access to the recorded Conference content in October 2022! Those who didn’t attend in person can still purchase access to the session recordings, to watch at their leisure through March 2023, contact secretariat@tac-atc.ca.

The TAC Conference & Exhibition has become one of the keystone transportation Conferences of the year. The transportation industry, and its members, are stronger when we share knowledge, ask tough questions, and grow together as professionals.

The 2023 TAC Conference & Exhibition will be held in Ottawa, September 24-27! Themed Lessons in Leadership the event will explore how Canada’s transportation sector is responding to transformative challenges in areas like safety and security, mobility, equity, technology, and climate change resiliency. Lessons learned will be shared and showcased as organizations break new ground as they seek – and find – bold transportation solutions. We’re grateful to our recently-confirmed local co-hosts, Transport Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, for committing their support.

 


Thank you to our Premier Sponsors