The 2024 Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) Conference & Exhibition in Vancouver was a milestone event, bringing together 1,767 transportation professionals to share knowledge and explore innovations in the sector.
Among the attendees were two remarkable young professionals—Jacob Malleau, recipient of TAC’s Young Innovators in Transportation Grant, and Jean-Gabriel Dorval, winner of the Allan Widger Consulting Corporation Grant. Their reflections highlight the conference as an essential gathering for young professionals passionate about shaping the future of transportation.
Diverse Learning Opportunities
Jacob Malleau described the conference as “a wealth of knowledge, networking opportunities, and professional growth.” The Wednesday lunch presentation on the Burnaby Mountain Gondola Project and sessions on sustainable transportation, urban mobility data, and infrastructure innovations stood out to him. One session, “Complete Networks—Fitting into the Bigger Picture,” resonated deeply with Jacob’s urban planning interests, offering lessons from cities like Vancouver and Saint John.
Jean-Gabriel Dorval also emphasized the technical richness of the event. “Attending this year’s TAC events was a unique opportunity to exchange ideas with experts from across the country,” he said. Presentations on topics like Indigenous Road Safety and climate-resilient infrastructure provided practical insights, including the importance of listening to communities and tailoring solutions to their realities.
Networking Across Canada
For both recipients, the conference’s networking opportunities were invaluable. Jacob appreciated connecting with other “transportation nerds,” sharing ideas and fostering professional relationships. Jean-Gabriel echoed this sentiment, highlighting the chance to engage with colleagues tackling similar challenges in Québec and beyond. “It was inspiring to see how shared challenges lead to shared solutions,” he noted, underscoring the collaborative spirit of the event.
Practical Takeaways
The conference left both participants with actionable insights to implement in their work. The discussions he engaged in sharpened Jean-Gabriel’s focus on improving resiliency in remote communities. Meanwhile, Jacob gained fresh ideas on curbside management and sustainability targets that directly apply to his role. Jacob summed up his experience by encouraging others to seize the opportunity to attend TAC’s events:
