Events

Shaw Centre, Level 3, Parliament Foyer & Canada Hall 3; Business Casual

Join us for a spectacular start to the 2023 TAC Conference & Exhibition at the Welcome Reception in the Exhibition Hall! Connect with fellow delegates and vendors, enjoy delicious refreshments, and get to know the incredible exhibitors and their offerings. Cash bars will be available*

*Only credit and debit cards accepted

Shaw Centre, Level 3, Canada Hall 1 & 2; Business Casual

Lessons in Leadership, featuring: representatives from our Conference co-hosts Transport Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation; TAC’s Distinguished Service Award; a panel of industry leaders; and keynote speaker, Jennifer Keesmaat

In times of rapid change, leadership and innovation are key. How is Canada’s transportation sector responding to transformative challenges in areas like safety and security, mobility, equity, technology, and climate change resiliency? The conference will showcase lessons learned as organizations break new ground as they seek – and find – bold transportation solutions.

Get ready for a thought-provoking event featuring insights from distinguished speakers, including:

Representatives from our Conference co-hosts Transport Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

TAC’s highest honour, the Distinguished Service Award, will be presented to Scott Stewart.

We're also excited to hear from a panel of industry leaders on the “Lessons in Leadership” theme, representing TAC’s Premier sponsors, Arcadis IBI Group, EXP, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, Parsons, and AtkinsRéalis.

And Jennifer Keesmaat, renowned urban planner and forward thinker, will be our Keynote Speaker!

Jennifer Keesmaat is an entrepreneur, urban planner and real estate developer who has spent the past 15 years leading transformative change from C-suite positions in both the public and private sectors. Jennifer has been named one of the “most powerful people in Canada” by Macleans, one of the “most influential” by Toronto Life, and one of the top Women of Influence in Canada. Following the creation of a national planning practise, she spent five years as Toronto’s Chief City Planner, where she was celebrated for her forward thinking and collaborative approach to city-building. Jennifer is passionate about creating places where people flourish. Keesmaat is CEO of The Keesmaat Group, working with progressive cities, corporations, and organizations around the world to advance transformative change, and a founding partner of Markee Developments, developing new communities across the Greater Toronto Area as sustainable, liveable places that prioritize access to high quality, affordable rental housing.

This event was livestreamed publicly with the exception of the Keynote which was recorded and will be available to registered delegates, post-conference. 

Shaw Centre, Level 3, Canada Hall 1 & 2; Business Casual

Recognizing TAC’s People, 12:30-13:00

TAC honours 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.

The 2023 recipients recognized during the event include winners of:

• TAC Leadership Award
• TAC Individual Contribution Award
• TAC Committee Excellence Award

This event was livestreamed publicly.

Canadian Museum of History, 100 Laurier Street, Gatineau, Quebec; Casual  

Get ready to experience the best of the region’s local flavours and entertainment at the Canadian Museum of History. It is a stunning space and a destination of choice in the National Capital Region. An architectural jewel designed by Canadian architect Douglas Cardinal, the Museum is less than five minutes from downtown Ottawa and Parliament Hill. Explore Canada’s rich history and the outstanding achievements of First Peoples. Marvel at the world’s largest indoor collection of totem poles. The Canadian History Hall, the signature exhibition, will let you discover the events, personalities and historical currents that have shaped Canada — from time immemorial to the present day.

Exciting news! The Museum gift shop will be open until 21:00. Make sure to explore its unique treasures, find souvenirs, and products related to the themes of the Canadian Children’s Museum as well as the current exhibitions of the Canadian Museum of History.

Special Performance by Amanda Rheaume!

Join us for a night of extraordinary music with the talented, Ottawa-born artist, Amanda Rheaume. Her unique blend of folk and soul will create a memorable and uplifting atmosphere. Don't miss this incredible performance! Performances at 20:00-20:30 and 21:00-21:30.

Amanda Rheaume’s rootsy, guitar-driven ballads introduce crucial dimensions to the world of Heartland Rock. In a genre characterized by anthems of underdogs, assumptions and unfair advantages, Rheaume’s sound and story crucially and radically expand the boundaries, geographic and cultural, to make space for new perspectives on resistance and resilience. A Citizen of the Métis Nation, and an active and proud member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, Rheaume’s music is indeed from the heart, and the land.

First a songwriter, Rheaume comes from a long line of tireless, transformational organizers and activists, and carries this lineage forward in her ever-growing role as a crucial builder of Indigenous music infrastructure and community. From the International Indigenous Music Summit, to newly-founded Ishkode Records, and the National Indigenous Music Office, the goal of raising Indigenous sovereignty in the music industry drives all of Rheaume’s work.

Rheaume (she/her) has released 5 full-length albums over a period of 15 years, a self-managed career that has traveled countless tours and milestones. 2013’s Keep a Fire was nominated for a JUNO Award and won a Canadian Folk Music Award for Indigenous Songwriter of the Year. With a new single “100 Years,” a driving, surging Copperhead Road-esque journey through a wilfully, harmfully misrepresented chapter in a violent colonial timeline, Rheaume makes a powerful statement about history and identity.

Getting There

1. Walk: Located just across the Alexandra Bridge from downtown Ottawa, this is a pleasant 20-to-30-minute walk with stunning views of the Parliament of Canada and the Ottawa River.
2. Bus: Shuttle buses will run from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, picking up in front of the Westin Hotel. Return shuttle buses back to Ottawa begin at 9:00 pm with the last departure leaving the Museum at 11:00.
3. Water Taxi: You can take a water taxi from Water Taxi Eh? to cross the Ottawa River to the Museum! For $7, this short boat ride departs from the base of the Ottawa Locks and drops you directly at the Canadian Museum of History. Capacity is limited.

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Shaw Centre, Level 3, Canada Hall 1 & 2; Business Casual

Engaging Students and Young Professionals, 12:30-13:00

Tuesday is Student Day at the TAC Conference. The Tuesday Lunch is where the role of students and young professionals as the future of Canada’s transportation industry is highlighted. Individuals who have been role models of excellence and leadership are celebrated.

The lunch program will include:  

• Recognizing the winner of the Allan Widger Consulting Corporation Grant for Young Geotechnical Engineers in Transportation.
• The TAC Student Paper Award Winners are recognized as the principal authors of the top three student papers presented at the conference.
• Young Professional Armchair Interview: This insightful event is set to be a highlight, offering an opportunity to engage with rising stars in the transportation industry. Meet the panelists:
  • Scott Stewart: Distinguished for his remarkable contributions, Scott is a Board Member, Treasurer of the TAC Foundation, and recipient of this year's esteemed TAC Distinguished Service Award.
  • Dr. Liraz Fridman: The recipient of TAC's 2021 Young Transportation Professional Award, Liraz brings a wealth of knowledge from her role at the City of Guelph, embodying passion, and dedication in her pursuits.
  • Matt Pinder: As the recipient of TAC's 2022 Young Transportation Professional Award, Matt's insights from his role at WSP Canada have marked him as an emerging leader with a unique perspective.
    
    Their insights promise to resonate with students, young professionals, and seasoned experts alike, making this panel a must-attend event during the conference.
• TAC Young Transportation Professional Award: An employee of a TAC member organization who has made outstanding contributions to the transportation sector will be recognized.
• Words from the TAC Foundation: Learn about the programs and activities that support the education and development of tomorrow’s transportation professionals, and the donors that make it all possible.

This event was livestreamed publicly. 

Student Day Mini Career Fair | 13:45-16:00
Shaw Centre, Level 3, Parliament Foyer & Canada Hall 3; Business Casual

Look for a floor sticker at booths of exhibitors welcoming students to drop by and introduce themselves to discuss future employment or even internships.

Students & Young Professionals Meet & Greet | 15:45-17:00
Shaw Centre, Level 2, Atrium; Business Casual

Students and young professionals are invited to end the day at this casual reception. Network with peers, and have the opportunity to learn more about getting involved with TAC’s councils and committees.  

Canapés and refreshments will be available.

Shaw Centre, Level 3, Canada Hall 1 & 2; Business Casual

Conference Wrap-Up, 12:15-12:45

Not only will you enjoy a delicious lunch, but you'll also have the chance to hear closing remarks about the conference and its highlights, both in and out of the session rooms.

Take a few minutes to learn about the eerie depths of Ottawa's past with a “Haunted Talk”. Your spooky guides will give you a taste of Ottawa's haunted history, where shadows hold stories, and the past lingers in every corner.

Last but not least, the hosts of the 2024 TAC Conference & Exhibition, September 22-25 in Vancouver will tempt you with an exclusive teaser for next year. See what awaits you in this vibrant city known for its innovative transportation initiatives and breathtaking surroundings. You won't want to miss it!

This event was livestreamed publicly.