In cooperation with the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, we hosted a "Zero Waste Event".

The goal of zero waste is to divert the maximum amount of waste from landfill.

Thank you to all exhibitors, presenters and participants for helping us pursue this important goal.

Day 1: May 28, 2007

Sustainable Transportation – What it Means to All of Us:

At the heart of this discussion is the question “what is sustainable transportation, and what does it mean to all of us?” This panel provides an opportunity to listen to innovative thought leaders share their visions for the future of transportation. Panellists will discuss broad issues, including the relationship between environmental and transportation issues, economic impacts and opportunities.

• Glen Murray, Chair, National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy
• Todd Litman, Founder and Executive Director, Victoria Transport Policy Institute
• Sue Zielinski, Managing Director, Sustainable Mobility and Accessibility Research and Transformation, University of Michigan
• William Cosgrove, President, Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE), Quebec

Showing People the Way - Marketing Transportation Demand Management:

Efficient alternatives to the single occupant vehicle are out there, but not everyone knows where to look. Many services such as car sharing, carpooling and public transit are significantly underutilized despite being only steps away from the average home. This panel offers listeners the opportunity to learn about “drivers” for Transportation Demand Management strategies with first hand success stories.

• JoAnn Woodhall, Transportation Demand Management Planner, Region of Waterloo
• Brian Shifman, Executive Director, Smart Commute - North Toronto, Vaughan

Transportation Under the Weather – The Impacts of Climate Change:

For the average transportation system, climate change isn’t a day at the beach. All areas of transportation are feeling the broad impacts that changing weather patterns are having on materials, maintenance, and general operations. This session will identify the challenges associated with climate change and discuss what it means in areas such as winter maintenance and pavement structures.

• Dr. Quentin Chiotti, Co-Lead, Ontario Chapter National Assessment of Climate Change and Air Programme Director, Pollution Probe
• Brian Mills, Researcher, Adaptation & Impacts Research Division, Environment Canada

Using the Market to Achieve Sustainability:

Many people believe that the environment and the economy don’t mix. This panel will break down this perceived barrier between environmental and economic issues and reveal the possibilities for harnessing market forces to correct market distortions, promote sustainable practices for infrastructure design and construction and increase mobility options.

• Glen Murray, Chair, National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy
• Todd Litman, Founder and Executive Director, Victoria Transport Policy Institute
• Peter Livesey, Senior Policy Analyst, HM Treasury in the Corporate and Private Finance Team, United Kingdom
• Todd Latham, Publisher, ReNew Canada: The Infrastructure Renewal magazine

Transportation for Everyone - Designing Accessible Transportation Systems:

How do we design transportation systems that meet the diverse needs of people in society? What is the impact of demographics on the way we plan communities and the transportation services to support them? Join speakers as they discuss what systems are in place and what can be done to keep everyone moving better and faster.

• Glenn Miller, Director of Education and Research, Canadian Urban Institute
• Dr. Catherine O'Brien, Assistant Professor, School of Education, Health & Wellness, Cape Breton University
• David O’Toole, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ontario Ministry of Transportation

Making the Connection - Inter-modal Freight Movement:

There is more than one way to move freight, and more ways can mean better efficiency. Traditional and new means of transportation are playing a significant role in the way goods get from Point A to Point B. For a truly sustainable transportation system, all modes must play a role, and this panel will highlight the opportunities for an holistic approach that sees rail, truck, marine and even human powered delivery as methods to reduce congestion and emissions.

• Bob Armstrong, President, Armstrong Trade and Logistics Advisory Services (ATLAS) and Chair, Ontario Chamber of Commerce Borders and Transportation Infrastructure Committee 
• Sander van 't Verlaat, Director, Shortsea Promotion Centre, Holland
• Wayne Scott, Automobile Dependence Reduction Officer, HOOF&CYCLE

Day 2: May 29, 2007

New Mobility - An Emerging Market:

According to a recent U.N. population study, by 2025, two-thirds of the world, and almost 80 percent of North Americans will live in urban areas. This poses significant social, environmental and economic challenges related to meeting the increasingly complex needs of growing urban populations.

At the same time, cutting edge innovations in services, products, technologies and approaches are coming together worldwide to form the foundation of an emerging new mobility industry. Not unlike the telecommunications industry, which evolved from the massive institutional mainframe into a diverse and connected portfolio of customized, connected, and affordable options, urban transportation is becoming increasingly diverse, connected, sustainable and sophisticated.

This panel presents new business and economic development opportunities related to the growing sustainable urban transportation market.

• Sue Zielinski, Managing Director, Sustainable Mobility and Accessibility Research and Transformation, University of Michigan
• Robin Chase, Founder & CEO, GoLoco; Founder, Zipcar
• Dave Berdish, Manager of Sustainable Business Development, Ford Motor Company
• Val Stoyanov, Managing Partner, Cisco Systems Canada

Innovation in Action - Sustainable Technology in Transit Operations:

Transit is an essential tool for reducing the environmental impacts of transportation and for easing congestion, but more can be done. Just ask these panelists who will reveal the new ways of thinking and leading edge technologies adopted in their transit operations. Learn about the innovative practices implemented by these agencies including solar and wind power, recycling water and designing energy and environmentally advanced transit stations.

• Neil McKendrick, Manager, Transit Planning, Calgary Transit
• Jennifer Kalczuk, External Relations Manager, The Rapid, Michigan
• Monica Adams, Planner II, Construction Projects and Capital Development, Pierce Transit, Washington State

Fuelling Fuel Efficiency:

Transportation related activities account for a significant amount of energy consumption and are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. At the same time, transportation is a fundamental driver of our economy. This panel will showcase technologies and programs that can reduce the environmental impact of key transportation modes: Marine, rail and truck.

• Roger Smith, Director, Fleet Challenge Ontario
• John Cocchiola, Program Manager, Fuel Management Systems, Teleflex Power Systems
• Aurem Langevin, Project Engineer, Maritime Innovation

Sustainable Communities - Transportation, Health, and the Environment:

Communities rely on transportation systems to thrive, but not all communities are designed efficiently. Good government planning and support from developers is crucial to creating communities that support access and sustainability. This interactive panel discussion will examine the relationship between transportation and land-use planning - highlighting the importance of designing communities that promote more active forms of transportation.

• Jean Lam, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Health Promotion
• Bryan Tuckey, Commissioner, Planning and Development Services, Regional Municipality of York
• Barry Lyon, N. Barry Lyon Consultants Limited
• Michael Haynes, National Active Transportation Coordinator, Go for Green
• Gil Penalosa, Executive Director, Walk and Bike for Life

Spreading the Word:

The term “sustainable development” has become part of common language. But being familiar with the term doesn’t mean that people know how to incorporate it into their own lives. This panel will touch on different aspects of education – from formal education in the school systems to organizational and behavioural change in workplaces and other disciplines.

• Pam Schwartzberg, Executive Director, Learning for a Sustainable Future
• JoAnn Woodhall, Transportation Demand Management Planner, Region of Waterloo
• Jacky Kennedy, Program Manager, Active & Safe Routes to School, Green Communities Canada

When Materials Matter – New and Better Tools for Life Cycle Assessment:

As we strive to improve the environmental performance of transportation infrastructure, tools will be needed to evaluate the relative costs and benefits of the materials we use. Life cycle assessment tools (LCAs) can be effective for guiding decisions and panelists will reveal the value of LCAs, where traditional LCAs may fall short on reflecting environmental costs, and what tools are available to address this gap.

• Dr. Ralph Haas, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Waterloo
• Christopher Holt, Ph.D., P.Eng., Head, Geotechnical Services, Nova Scotia AMEC
• Tom Kazmierowski, Manager, Pavements & Foundations, Ontario Ministry of Transportation