Enthusiastic volunteers representing le ministère des Transports du Québec and la Ville de Montréal welcomed over 1,200 delegates, including companions, at TAC’s 100th anniversary Conference & Exhibition, the largest TAC Conference to date.
The second largest was held in Edmonton, Alberta in 2011 with 1,150 delegates.
The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Federal Transport Minister headlined the October 1 luncheon.
Highlights included special guest speakers, well-attended events and a record-breaking number of speakers and sessions. Over 350 speakers at more than 65 sessions, panels and workshops covered a variety of topics, including the conference theme, Transportation 2014: Past – Present – Future. An international panel discussion, jointly sponsored by the Canadian National Committee and the PIARC-Quebec Committee of the World Road Association was also offered to delegates.
The first-ever TAC Conference mobile application was launched, which provided delegates with easy access to conference information; the Association’s social network expanded as delegates joined in the conversation via TAC’s social media pages.
Headliners
- Ford Canada Chief Technologist John Ellis took the stage at the Monday Plenary Session to talk about the manufacturer’s role in the future of connectivity, transportation and the development of new technologies. TAC Acting President, Doug McNeil, unveiled the much-anticipated TAC 100 video, showcasing interviews with key stakeholders on the Association’s journey through past, present and future.
- Mylène Paquette, first North American woman to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean from Nova Scotia to France, captivated delegates at the September 30 luncheon with her fascinating recount of 129 days at sea over 10-meter waves.
- The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Federal Minister of Transport, headlined the October 1 luncheon. “I am pleased to be here in Montreal to congratulate the Transportation Association of Canada on their 100th anniversary. Our government understands the important role that transportation plays in creating jobs, promoting economic growth and supporting Canadian families and communities. Our government will continue to work closely with the Association and its partners to ensure our transportation system remains, safe, secure and efficient,” noted Minister Raitt.
Showstoppers
- Delegates and companions were treated to a carnival-themed atmosphere at Monday’s Montreal Centennial Event, showcasing Montreal’s culinary delights; performances by le Cirque Éloize; mentalist Gary Kurtz and a musical tribute to Montreal by celebrated artists Mélanie Renaud and Marc-André Fortin.
- Critically-acclaimed musical act, la Famille Painchaud, performed to an energetic crowd at the Wednesday Closing Event including bow on fire, the six-handed piano and a very special rendition of the movie Top Gun. Newly-dubbed TAC President Gerry Chaput played along when he got called to the stage.
- Unique technical tours – Delegates were able to choose from 12 unique technical tours offering a variety of interesting sites including the Turcot Interchange, the Port of Montreal and the Global Command and Control Centre to ensure safe, reliable and smooth-flowing travel along the City’s four subway lines.
- Transportation 2014 Showcase – Presented by the Ville de Montréal and le Centre d’histoire de Montréal, delegates and the general public discovered the past, present and future of Canadian transportation at various provincial/territorial exhibits along the Trans-Canada Highway. We thank our 20 showcase partner organizations.
- Over 110 transportation-related booths at the W.H. Yeates Exhibition – our biggest Exhibition yet – showcased their transportation and roads-related products and services at the Palais des congrès in Montreal.
Movers and Shakers
- New TAC President – Gerry Chaput, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Transportation of Ontario, became the new TAC President. “The transportation challenges of the future are complex, but we face them with confidence, having witnessed first-hand, here in Montreal, the strength of our industry and its enthusiasm at tacking these challenges together,” noted Gerry. Michel Gravel, TAC Executive Director, also gave a heartwarming speech as he retires after 15 years of service.
- The Centennial Road Safety Awards were presented to celebrate progress in the field of road safety over the past 100 years in Canada. Winners included Dr. Tarek Sayed, University of British Columbia (Academic Research); Jeanette Espie, Alberta Transportation (Public Sector); and Dr. Ezra Hauer, University of Toronto (Outstanding Career).
- Technical Excellence Awards – Recognizing the importance of member technical excellence in Educational Achievement (Kativik Regional Administration and MTQ); Environmental Achievement (Dillon Consulting Limited and the City of Ottawa), Sustainable Urban Transportation (City of Edmonton) and Road Safety Engineering (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia and partners).
- Canadian Transportation Awards - The Award of Academic Merit was presented to Dr. Susan Tigue, University of Waterloo; Dr. Jake Kosior and Mr. David Lettner, both from Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation, received an Award of Achievement for their joint collaboration; and Mr. Fahad Shuja, Ontario Goods Roads Transportation received the second Award of Achievement. Angela Iannuzziello, of AECOM, won the 2014 Transportation Person of the Year award.
Twenty-eight conference partner organizations generously supported the event as either partners or advertisers – a testament to the value of this major annual conference to the Canadian transportation and roadways sectors.
The 2014 conference papers, listed by category, author or title, can be viewed at: http://conf.tac-atc.ca/english/annualconference/tac2014/english/papers_by_category.htm
