Planning & Design Conference
Choosing the Fast Lane
Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook Chicago
2815 Jorie BoulevardOak Brook, IL 60523-2161
United States
Overview
Attend this year’s highly anticipated IRTBA Planning & Design Conference! The event will feature IDOT Assistant Secretary Tom Carney as the Keynote Speaker!
Choosing the Fast Lane is what members can expect in the session line-up; Design Build Excellence, AI Spectrum, Generational Shift in the Workforce, and Explaining NITA. This highly informative day will conclude with the type of top notch networking reception that this conference is known for. Make sure you register early because this event usually sells out!
Tom Carney was appointed assistant secretary in 2025. In this role, he works closely with internal and external stakeholders to develop policy and implement strategic goals and initiatives for the department. Carney previously worked for 23 years at the Chicago Department of Transportation, serving in several leadership positions, including commissioner. In his time with the city, he worked extensively on the development and deployment of large-scale projects and initiatives, as well as efforts to improve and streamline the delivery of core city services.
Agenda
| July 16 | |
| 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Registration Desk Open |
| 12:00 PM - 12:15 PM | Keynote Address |
| 12:15 PM - 1:00 PM | Lunch Service |
| 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM | Design-Build Excellence |
| 1:45 PM - 2:30 PM | The AI Spectrum: Innovation, Ethics and Impact |
| 2:30 PM - 2:45 PM | Afternoon Break |
| 2:45 PM - 3:15 PM | The Generational Shift |
| 3:15 PM - 4:00 PM | NITA Explained |
| 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Networking Reception |
Session Descriptions
Design-Build Excellence: Lessons from Real Projects
The IDOT presentation will provide an understanding of the governing legislation and revisions, procedural memorandum, organizational structure, roles, industry outreach activities, contractual arrangements and forms of contract, risk management, delivery method comparison, candidate project identification, procurement process, training opportunities, review of active project status, and an overview of the State-wide Off-System Structure Bundling Program. Time will be allotted for questions and answers.
Speaker: Mike Stirk, Illinois Department of Transportation
The AI Spectrum: Innovation, Ethics and Impact
Did you miss out on convention? We can’t bring the beach, but we are bringing the most talked-about convention panel to the P&D Conference. It’s no secret that AI is rapidly changing the way we do business. Industry leader Andrew Keaschall will lead the panel discussions. It will show as an example how drone technology is improving predictions, how AI applications has the power to both positively and negatively impact the industry, and what you need to know regarding insurance and legal liability.
Panelists: Brad Noack, DB Sterlin Consultants; James Chivilo, Holland & Knight LLP; TBD Matt Fazio, USI
The Generational Shift
Who better to address the ongoing generational shift in the workforce than our very own alumni from the IRTBA Emerging Leaders Program. Leading the panel, Eileen Chin, a graduate from the inaugural class, will discuss what makes a workplace desirable; balance, salary, environment, leadership and mentorships. Also, how is AI impacting your job, what drives retention and future concerns.
Panelists: Justin Mickens, Parsons; Colleen Miller, SINGH & Associates, Inc.; Anastasia Kotsakis, Collins Engineers, Inc.; and Dan Faerber, Dunnet Bay
NITA Explained
The Northern Illinois Transit Authority is here! Leading the panel, Beth McCluskey will discuss with agency leaders and key NITA advocates how and why this newly established agency came to be, what the future looks like, how funding will be split and spent, policy, staffing, funding, leadership and what challenges and improvement can be expected.
Panelists: Bill Mooney, Chicago Transit Authority; Scott Schiemann, Metra; Eva-Dina Delgado, Illinois State Representative; Elaine Nekritz, Attorney and former Illinois State Representative
Speakers
Tom Carney
Assistant Secretary
Illinois Department of Transportation
Bill Mooney
Chief Operating Officer
Chicago Transit Authority
Scott Schiemann
Chief Engineering Officer
Metra
Eva-Dina Delgado
Illinois State Representative
Elaine Nekritz
Attorney and former Illinois State Representative
Mike Stirk
Bureau Chief of Innovation Project Delivery
Illinois Department of Transportation
Brad Noack
Structural Engineering Department Head
DB Sterlin Consultants
James Chivilo
Partner
Holland & Knight LLP
Matt Fazio
Partner | Senior Vice President
USI Insurance Services
Justin Mickens
Principal Bridge Engineer
Parsons
Colleen Miller
Chief Business Development Officer
SINGH & Associates, Inc.
Anastasia Kotsakis
Group Manager
Collins Engineers, Inc.
Dan Faerber
Estimating / PM
Dunnet Bay
Registration Options
|
Registration Options
|
Price |
|---|---|
|
P&D Conference - Member Access
|
$215.00 |
|
P&D Conference - Late Registration
|
$265.00 |
|
P&D Conference - Silver Sponsor
Registration Ends 7/13/26 at 6:00 PM CDT
|
$1,000.00 |
|
P&D Conference - Gold Sponsor
Registration Ends 7/10/26 at 6:00 PM CDT
|
$1,750.00 |
|
P&D Conference - Platinum Sponsor
Registration Ends 7/3/26 at 12:00 AM CDT
|
$3,000.00 |
|
P&D Conference - Reception Sponsor
Registration Ends 7/13/26 at 6:00 PM CDT
|
$1,300.00 |
Sponsorship Opportunities
Platinum Sponsorship Package - $3,000
Limited Availability
- Company logo on all event emails to industry leaders and agency reps
- Company logo appearing on the P&D Conference webpage
- Company name listed in the Friday Facts, received by over 3,000 industry & agency professionals
- Company logo featured on the scrolling screen during registration, lunch and the networking reception
- Platinum Sponsor recognition ribbon on all company attendee name badges
- Company Name in Lights during sessions for all attendees and agency members to see
- Three Complimentary tickets to the conference
Gold Sponsorship Package - $1,750
- Company logo on all event emails to industry leaders and agency reps
- Company logo appearing on the P&D Conference webpage
- Company name listed in the Friday Facts, received by over 3,000 industry & agency professionals
- Company logo featured on the scrolling screen during registration, lunch and the networking reception
- Gold Sponsor recognition ribbon on all company attendee name badges
- Two Complimentary tickets to the conference
Silver Sponsorship Package - $1,000
- Company logo on all event emails to industry leaders and agency reps
- Company logo appearing on the P&D Conference webpage
- Company logo listed in the Friday Facts, received by over 3,000 industry & agency professionals
- Company logo featured on the scrolling screen during registration, lunch and the networking reception
- Silver Sponsor recognition ribbon on all company attendee name badges
- One Complimentary ticket to the conference
Reception Sponsor - $1,300
Limited Availability
- Recognition as the Networking Reception Sponsor with custom branded napkins
- Company logo on all event emails to industry leaders and agency reps
- Company logo appearing on the P&D Conference webpage
- Company logo listed in the Friday Facts, received by over 3,000 industry & agency professionals
- Company logo featured on the scrolling screen during registration, lunch and the networking reception
- Reception Sponsor recognition ribbon on all company attendee name badges
- One Complimentary ticket to the conference
For More Information:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
RECEPTION SPONSORS
