The ITE Toronto, Hamilton and Southwestern Ontario Sections are joining forces this year and are pleased to announce a Mini Transportation Conference! We are delighted to reignite a partnered event enjoyed by many in previous years and are welcoming anyone involved in the transportation industry – from transportation professionals to students in the public, private and academic communities. Please join us on:
DATE: Wednesday, October 1, 2025
TIME: 8:00am to 3:15pm EST
LOCATION: Oakville Conference Centre, 2515 Wyecroft Road, Oakville
The conference centre is accessible by transit using GO Transit and Oakville Transit services (closest GO station is Bronte GO) and has direct access at the interchange of the QEW (Hwy 403) and Bronte Road, with free parking available on-site.
This all-day event is packed with 4 technical sessions presented by 9-12 speakers and two breaks to foster social networking and student-industry engagement opportunities through student posters. A breakfast and lunch will be provided as part of your admission.
You can earn 4.0 PDH credits for your participation at the conference.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATION:
A courtesy room block at the adjacent Holiday Inn & Suites Oakville @ Bronte has been secured for any attendees, and reservations can now be made. The block covers the nights before and after the event (nights of September 30 and October 1), with a preferred rate of $159.00 per night plus applicable taxes. Attendees can book using one of the following methods:
Please note that this rate and room availability are guaranteed only until Monday, September 15, after which bookings will be subject to availability and prevailing rates.
AGENDA:
8:00am-9:00am – Breakfast & Opening
9:00am-10:00am – Technical Session #1 – Accessibility
10:00am-10:30am – Break #1 (Student Posters & Networking)
10:30am-11:30am – Technical Session #2 – Transit Electrification
11:30am-12:30pm – Lunch
12:30pm-1:30pm – Technical Session #3 – Goods Movement and Supply Chain
1:30pm-2:00pm – Break #2 (Student Posters & Networking)
2:00pm-3:00pm – Technical Session #4 – Data Analytics & ITS
3:00pm-3:15pm – Closing
GUEST SPEAKERS:
It would not be a sectional conference without our guest speakers, who have graciously volunteered their time and efforts in making this event possible. We are honoured to host this year’s selection of keynote speakers including:
Stay tuned.
Dr. Ahmed Foda is a Postdoctoral Fellow and Project Manager at McMaster Institute for Transportation & Logistics (MITL) – McMaster University. Ahmed’s research focuses on system planning for electric mobility, supply chain and logistics, operations management, and data analytics. He is committed to developing sustainable and resilient transportation systems that integrate zero-emission technologies, advancing the future of smart mobility. His work emphasizes analyzing, projecting, planning, and configuring electric mobility systems, including electric vehicles, battery electric buses, hydrogen fuel-cell buses, UAVs for last-mile delivery, and decarbonizing waste collection systems.”
Mike Macas has worked at the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) for 15+ years and serves as the Chief Engineer of Vehicles. He oversees the engineering and performance of the TTC’s diverse vehicle fleet, ensuring safety, reliability, and efficiency in public transit operations. He has been instrumental in the TTC’s transition to low and zero-emission technologies, assessing and implementing battery-electric buses while addressing challenges such as cold weather performance. His leadership in this area underscores his commitment to sustainable transit solutions. Mike has held various positions at the TTC, including Senior Manager of Vehicle Engineering and Manager of Vehicle Reliability & Quality Assurance. Prior to the TTC, Mike spent almost 10 years working for a major automotive OEM as Product Engineering specializing in the design, testing and manufacturing of chassis systems.
Adrian Kawun, Director, Oakville Transit, has worked in the transit industry for over 15 years and is a transit leader within the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA). He is currently Oakville Transit’s Director. Adrian and his team are responsible for overseeing the planning, maintenance, and operation of the Oakville Transit system as a network integrating with neighbouring transit agencies and the GO Transit regional system. Adrian is a recipient of the Mass Transit 40 under 40 award, which recognizes individuals for their contributions and a job well done. It is a listing of individuals who have shown a capacity for innovation, demonstrated leadership and a commitment to making an impact in transit. Adrian would like to recognize his team for the collaboration and day-to-day hard work required to provide outstanding customer and transit services. Adrian holds an Urban and Regional Planning degree from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) and works with post-secondary institutions to bring more young brilliant minds into the transit field.
Matthew Roorda is Professor and Associate Chair of Undergraduate Studies in Civil Engineering at the University of Toronto. He has been a faculty member since 2005 and has worked in the transportation engineering profession since 1998. He is a highly published expert in freight transportation and logistics and is chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Smart Freight Centre. Dr. Roorda’s research interests include urban freight transportation, freight planning and operations, freight and passenger travel survey methods, city logistics, agent-based simulation, parking and curbside management, street and neighbourhood design, emissions analysis, activity-based travel demand modelling, and firm behaviour.
Dr. Elkafi Hassani, is a Professor and Associate Dean of the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University. Professor Hassini specializes in data-driven optimization with applications in supply chain management. His current research interests include big data optimization, supply chain analytics, supply chain risk management, sustainability performance measurement and strategic procurement. His research has been funded by several funding agencies including CFI, MRI ORF-RI, NSERC and SSHRC. His research has also been recognized through best paper awards and the faculty researcher of the year award. He teaches supply chain management, procurement operations management and applied optimization.
Stephanie Holko serves as the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Growth at Innovation Factory, the business accelerator and regional innovation centre serving Hamilton and Halton Regions. Stephanie’s work has a focus on smart mobility technology, as the Director of the Centre for Integrated Transportation and Mobility (CITM), the Hamilton-based Regional Technology Development Site for the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN). Prior to joining Innovation Factory, Stephanie held engineering and management roles in the steel industry and advanced manufacturing funding space. She is currently the Past Chair of the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) and is a member of the Board of Governors for OCAD University.
Chris Philip, P.Eng., Director, Transportation at CIMA+
Mara Bullock, P.Eng., National Smart Mobility Manager WSP, loves finding solutions to transportation problems using technology. This includes supporting the transition to Automated, Connected, Electric & Shared Mobility (ACES), understanding how to leverage existing and emerging technologies to solve transportation issues and preparing for smart cities.
Jesse Coleman is the Manager of Transportation Data & Analytics in the City of Toronto’s Transportation Services Division. In this role, he leads an in-house team of data professionals that covers the full lifecycle of data management,including data collection, data operations, advanced analytics, data science and software development. The team partners actively with Universities, researchers and the Toronto tech community to advance leading approaches to transportation analytics and digital transformation. Prior to this role, Jesse led the creation of the Big Data Innovation Team at the City of Toronto as an in-house data science practice to be able to measure the impact and benefits of the City’s transportation policies and projects.
SPONSORSHIPS:
Four GOLD Level Sponsorships ($500) are available to support each of the technical sessions. In exchange for your generous contribution as a sponsor, the ITE Sections are collectively inviting sponsors to bring a roll-up board with banner stand (24” to 33” by 80”) to promote their transportation services. The company’s logo will be pre-assigned to one of the four technical sessions, and the company will be recognized verbally in the proceedings. One free individual member registration is included with this sponsorship.
Please bring your inquisitive minds and curiosity as we share, explore and learn about a range of transportation topics together at an event that encourages audience engagement and social networking.
Registration closes on September 24th, 2025 at 11:30pm, so register now while quantities last!
== Refunds and cancellations of tickets are permitted only until September 17 at 5pm. ==
