Ertico - ITS Europe has announced some of the key names responsible for delivering the ITS World Congress 2027 in Birmingham, UK.
Andy Graham of White Willow Consulting has been appointed chair of the Technical Working Group. Meanwhile, Louise Lawrence from WSP has been made chair of the Sponsorship, Promotions and Delegate Experience Advisory Group.
Both will report to the Host Committee, chaired by TRL CEO Paul Campion.
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), the UK Department for Transport (DfT), Department of Business and Trade, ITS UK and Visit Britain are collaborating with Ertico on the event.
The event will showcase the latest transport technology, including connected, electric and zero-emission, and autonomous vehicles, 5G and 6G technology and traffic management systems.
The Technical Committee will work closely with Ertico and the UK host committees "to ensure the country’s strengths in ITS and cutting-edge technologies are highlighted, via the development of presentations, papers, demonstrations and exhibition".
This will help enhance the technical programme by identifying exciting demonstrations and technical visits. The Committee is also tasked with inspiring young professionals.
The User Experience group will be working on making sure the thousands of visitors to the event at the NEC exhibition centre have a memorable time, and will advise on additional ways of attracting attendees and ensuring a sustainable and inclusive event.
Campion says: “It is an honour, and a great opportunity for Birmingham and the UK to host ITS World Congress in 2027: we expect to welcome 15,000 people from around the world and it is a chance for us to show not just the UK leadership in intelligent transport technologies but, even more importantly, what those technologies can do for people, the economy and the environment."
“The last time the ITS World Congress came to the UK was 2006 in London, so a country gets to host it at most twice in someone’s career,” adds Graham. “We are building a team of the finest out there, to make sure we maximise the value of the Congress via our exceptional West Midlands and wider UK talent.”
“No matter how good the speakers, exhibition or demonstrations are, we want to make certain every attendee’s lived experience from the second they decide to register exceeds their expectations - that is what will make this congress a standout success,” says Lawrence.
"We will learn from what works and doesn’t work at other Congresses and exhibitions here and around the world, to make sure we put on a memorable show that people remember for all the right reasons.”
Leaders from suppliers, consultants and government, along with media, business and exhibition professionals have volunteered for various committees.
“We really are building up a delivery team of all the talents,” commented TfWM’s head of transport innovation Chris Lane, who is leading the planning for the host region. “We have so many people who have been to more than 10 Congresses around the world, and even have someone who ran operations at the London Olympics in 2012."
There would also be "invaluable expertise and insight" from the 'godfather' of ITS Congresses, Professor Eric Sampson CBE who delivered the first ever Congress in 1994 and the 2006 event in London.
Ertico CEO Joost Vantomme says the team is preparing for Birmingham "at full speed".
"As we look ahead to the first milestones for the commercial partnerships and exhibition opportunities which will open up next year, we look forward to working towards delivering a truly outstanding event. Together, we will ensure this World Congress sets new standards of excellence.”
Transport Technology Forum, Local Council Roads Innovation Group, Innovate UK and the Connected Places Catapult are also involved in supporting the 33rd ITS World Congress, which runs from from 25-29 October 2027.
