Hamilton 2024 Conference Recap

ITE Canada’s 2024 Annual Conference was a resounding success. Hosted June 9-12 in Hamilton, Ontario, over 500 delegates, speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors gathered to connect, learn, and advance the industry.

Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Comments from attendees like this one show this was truly a conference for the books!

The aspects that stood out most included the abundant networking opportunities, engaging and interactive sessions, high-quality speakers and presentations, diverse and relevant topics, smooth organization, social events, innovative demonstrations, and a focus on accessibility and inclusivity. These elements combined to create an enriching and memorable experience for me.

We are pleased to share photos and highlights from a jam-packed four days in The Hammer.

Technical Program

Hamilton 2024 marked the first time our conference technical content was coordinated by the National Technical Program Committee (NTPC), a group of volunteers from across Canada. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive with delegates highlighting the diverse and innovative session formats, cohesive topics, and strong organization.

I’ve been to a few different ITE Canada conferences in the past, and I felt like ITE Canada was really trying out some different ways to present the technical program. For example, the panels, rapid fire presentations, mock trial, and the Jeopardy game on the last day.

You can browse the print program below or the detailed schedules, speaker list, and more on our conference website here.

Click here to open in full screen or download the PDF using the ⤓ button.

Among the plethora of excellent technical content, our top sponsors hosted and led Thought Leader Sessions to spark conversation and share their expertise:

• EXP – Do our projects really match our priorities?
• Innovative Traffic Solutions (ITS) – The Integration of the Digital Intersection & Cloud Based Signal Preemption
• BA Group – More than Meets the Eye: Transforming Retail Centres – Lime Ridge Mall Hamilton, A Case Study
• Stantec – Equity and Resilience in Transportation Planning

Technical Tours

As always, our technical tours proved to be a popular offering for conference delegates.

[I like] getting a local feel to the conference community and what they have that is similar and different to my community.

The volunteer leads did a stellar job showcasing Hamilton and giving attendees an on-the-ground look at transportation challenges, solutions, and innovations being applied and developed on tours including:

• Transportation in the Arts District: Lively James Street North
• Downtown Art, Culture and Transportation
• Innovation in the Hammer: McMaster Automotive Research Centre (MARC)
• We Got the Goods: Hamilton Bayfront Industrial Area
• One-way, two-way, which way, blue way? Cycling in all directions
• Moving Mountains: Overcoming Topographical Challenges in Transportation

We extend a special thanks to our Silver Sponsors who made these cycling, walking, e-scooter, and facility tours possible: Associated Engineering, CBCL Limited, Creative Transportation Solutions, MobilSafe Solutions, Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited, Parsons, Pyramid Traffic, RC Spencer Associates Inc. Consulting Engineers, R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited, Robinson Consultants, SGI CANADA, True North Safety Group, and TYLin.

Social & Plenary Events

Welcome Reception

The conference-opening Welcome Reception on Sunday evening, presented by CAA, was a joyous reunion for friends and colleagues, an opportunity to make new connections from across Canada, and a chance for attendees to learn about innovations and services offered by our exhibitors.

Welcome reception was excellent in terms of space, ability to meet colleagues and visit with exhibitors

This year, we were also pleased to launch a First Timers’ Reception to give new ITE Canada conference attendees a safe space to get to know our Board of Directors and other first-time attendees in a welcoming and smaller group.

I love that we have events like first time attendees and the mentor program. Our conference is so great because we train people to mix.

We extend our gratitude to all of the team members from these exhibiting companies who put hours of effort into making a great trade show experience:

Kickoff Keynote

The conference kicked off on Monday with an opening keynote by Jeff Casello of the University of Waterloo highlighting this year’s theme – Disruptive Progress: The Path to Safer, Cleaner & More Equitable Transportation, presented by Diamond Sponsor EXP. Jeff explored North America’s transportation challenges and past disruptions in the industry. He then challenged attendees to reflect on the most promising paths forward and what they mean for our profession.

We were also honoured to have Knowledge Keeper Elaine Lee in attendance to provide a traditional Indigenous welcome. Opening remarks were offered as well by Magdy Samaan, Vice President, Transportation Central Canada of EXP; Brian Hollingworth, Director of Transportation Planning and Parking at City of Hamilton and Conference Co-Chair; Pedram Izadpanah, ITE Canada President, and Conference Co-Chair Jill Juhlke.

Monday Lunch + ITE Address

We were pleased to have John Davis, President of ITE International, share news and updates from ITE at our Monday Luncheon presented by Gold Sponsor SWARCO McCain. Delegates also enjoyed the chance to network and connect at this event.

Traffic Bowl

In what may have been our closest final ever, it was a hard-fought battle between the University of British Columbia (UBC), University of New Brunswick (UNB), and Mohawk College Student Chapters. In the end, UBC emerged as repeat Canadian champs heading to Philly to represent our District at the ITE International Grand Championship!

Well done to all the competitors from the University of Manitoba, University of Victoria, McMaster University, University of Waterloo, Western University, and the University of Calgary ITE Student Chapters.

We extend a special thanks to Urban Systems Ltd., our #ITECanada2024 Traffic Bowl sponsor.

Play Street

Our Monday outdoor event at #ITECanada2024 was a hit! The Local Arrangements Committee hosted an inclusive and welcoming Play Street. Delegates loved trying out the e-scooter and cycling obstacle courses and enjoyed some traffic-themed corn hole toss and Lego.

Play Street was a good way to interact with other attendees and experience street closure for public realm improvements.

Special thanks to presenting sponsor LEA Group, New Hope Community Bikes for their support with the bike obstacle course, and the City of Hamilton staff who aced the e-scooter course, complete with technical drawings and custom signage.

Student Mixer

Students and professionals alike had a great time connecting at the Student Mixer presented by Egis. This is what brings people back to our conferences year after year. Ample networking opportunities to create “an enriching and memorable experience,” as one happy delegate put it in our post-conference survey.

Tuesday Lunch + Panel

Our Tuesday lunch featured four outstanding leaders in the industry in conversation on Disruption in Transportation, presented by Gold Sponsor CIMA+. The panel included three Past ITE Canada Presidents–Joanna Kervin (Vice President, External Approvals and Implementation of Crosslinx Transit Solutions), Julia Salvini (President of Salvini Consulting), and Jen Malzer (Leader, Public Spaces Project Development at City of Calgary)–and was moderated by Vice President of ITE International Karen Aspelin (Olsson).

Annual Banquet

The Tuesday Banquet, presented by Arcadis, was held at the historic LIUNA Station, a beautifully restored former CN station next to a multi-modal transit hub. Delegates enjoyed ample time to network and mingle over a cocktail hour and buffet dinner at this event.

Loved the food and vibe. Great time to network and chat with old friends.

Great size for the crowd in attendance and great atmosphere. I think the Liuna Station was an outstanding choice for the banquet.

Wednesday Awards Luncheon

We wrapped up our conference with the launch of the Future Transportation Leaders Fund, ITE Canada’s new charitable foundation, by Chair Bruce Belmore and the presentation of our 2024 Excellence in Transportation Awards and Scholarships. These shining stars in Canada’s transportation community were celebrated at the conference closing luncheon on Wednesday, June 12, presented by Gold Sponsor WSP. Learn more about all of our 2024 award and scholarship recipients here.

Thank You

We first thank the 500+ attendees who came to Hamilton with enthusiasm and positive energy. ITE Canada 2024 was a great success thanks to your willingness to share and connect. We also extend our gratitude to over 150 presenters for bringing your unique insights, knowledge, and experience to move our profession forward.

Our Annual Conference would not be possible without the incredible work of many volunteers. From the Local Arrangements Committee who dedicated years to this effort to volunteers who stepped up for a few hours in Hamilton, thank you to everyone who played a part in making this a successful conference, including the following volunteers and their employers.

Local Arrangements Committee – Hamilton Section

National Technical Program Committee

• Paula Sawicki (Chair) – Region of Waterloo
• Garrett Donaher (Vice-Chair) – Englobe
• Amy Do – Toronto Metropolitan University
• Maryam Hasanpour – Toronto Metropolitan University
• Omar Shams – City of Hamilton
• Borg Chan (ex-officio) – ISL Engineering

Finally, we thank our ITE Canada 2024 sponsors for their continued support of Canada’s community of transportation professionals.