22 May

7:30 | Registration

Registration & Networking

8:35 | Housekeeping

8.40 | Welcome

8:45 | Introduction to the Transforming Infrastructure Performance Summit

8:50 | Chair’s Opening Remarks

8:55 | The Infrastructure Podcast Episode (Fireside Chat)

Collaboration and Technology for Disaster Recovery and Rebuild: Lessons from the Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse

In the wake of the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, innovations in technology and collaboration have enabled a community-led recovery to rebuild a critically important piece of national infrastructure to re-open one of the U.S.’ commercial gateways to the world.

In a discission between Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, Aruna Miller and Infrastructure Podcast Host, Antony Oliver, this session will explore how collaboration between the Federal, Maryland and Baltimore governments have expedited permitting, secured funding and set the foundations for a swift and full rebuild and to help the local community process an unfathomable loss.

As a civil engineer by trade, Lieutenant Governor Miller will share her perspective as a policymaker and an infrastructure expert.

This session, recorded as a podcast, will explore how the latest technology including drones, 3D imaging and digital twins have improved outcomes at every stage of the disaster recovery and rebuild for one of the most complex infrastructure emergencies in recent U.S. history.

9:35 | Keynote: Delivering Results for San Antonio, TX.
Maximizing Infrastructure Outcomes through Innovative Approaches to Capacity Constraints and Workforce Readiness

U.S. infrastructure faces many challenges in the years ahead. One longstanding and critical challenge is that of capacity.

The U.S. currently lacks the capacity to meet our growing infrastructure needs. From our workforce to materials, our demand for infrastructure is outpacing our ability to supply the infrastructure we need. Estimates show that of 400,000 new engineers we need for infrastructure demand in the U.S. ever year, one third of positions will go unfilled to 2030.

In this session, the Mayor of San Antonio, TX, Ron Nirenberg, will share how this mid-size city is enabling its rapid growth by meeting capacity challenges head on. The Mayor will share how innovative strategies in workforce development have helped attract and retain talent and skilled workers to the city. Mayor Nirenberg will share lessons from successes and setbacks to address infrastructure capacity from his eight years as mayor and four years on city council.

9:47 | Q&A led by Mark Coates

9.55 | Refreshments

10.10 | Keynote: Establishing a National Baseline: The State of U.S. Infrastructure

Every four years, the U.S. infrastructure community anticipates the release of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Infrastructure Report Card. In March this year, ASCE shared its latest findings, ranking of 18 categories of infrastructure. Overall, the U.S. received its highest grade yet, a C. The report highlighted the progress made as well as the work still to do.

In this keynote, Executive Director of ASCE, Tom Smith, will share the findings from the report card, providing a comprehensive look at the current condition of U.S. infrastructure, highlighting key trends, challenges, and opportunities.  

10:20 | Twin Talk Panel #1

How do we improve infrastructure for U.S. communities? Lessons from home and abroad

Infrastructure isn’t just about steel and concrete. It’s about community. It’s about the environment. It’s about providing the building blocks for people to unleash their potential, building systems that are resilient, equitable, and future-ready.

This panel brings together leaders and experts with insights from both U.S. and abroad to explore what’s working, what’s not, and what we can learn from one another. From funding and technological innovation to community engagement and resilient design, we will discuss practical strategies and bold ideas to transform infrastructure where it matters most at the local level.

10:50 | Q&A Led by TBC

Keynote: Financing the Future: Private Sector Pathways to Resilient and Sustainable Infrastructure

As the U.S. grapples with an aging infrastructure network, evolving infrastructure demands, and constrained public budgets, unlocking private capital has never been more critical. Meridiam has been at the forefront of advancing resilient and sustainable infrastructure through innovative public-private partnerships, including headline projects such as New York’s LaGuardia Airport Terminal B and the Purple Line light rail in Maryland.

With reauthorization of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act on the horizon in 2026, the time is ripe to reflect on what has worked, and what’s next.  Drawing on his experience as the former Program Director for Infrastructure at the National Governors Association and now as a senior advisor at Meridiam, Tom Curtin will explore how the U.S. can deepen private sector collaboration to accelerate delivery, improve resilience, and ensure that infrastructure serves communities for generations to come.

This keynote will set the stage for a deeper discussion on investment trends, public-private partnerships, and how the U.S. can position itself as a beacon for global infrastructure investment.

11:10 | Twin Talk Panel #2: Infrastructure Investment in the U.S. and across the globe. Trends, challenges, opportunities

The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provided a critical boost for investment in U.S. infrastructure. With the legislation set to expire in 2026, this panel will explore how the U.S. can leverage the investments made from IIJA to continue to meet the challenges and opportunities to improve, secure and modernize our infrastructure.

New York City has been at the forefront of these efforts, including innovative approaches to financing accessibility improvements at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and recent uptick in P3s across New York and the United States. Globally, infrastructure investors mobilized billions in private capital to support the next generation of infrastructure, from clean energy to digital, but a large infrastructure deficit persists. Panelists will explore the challenges governments and private partners face, and uncover emerging opportunities to build smarter, more sustainable systems at scale in the U.S. and across the globe.

This panel will provide both a local and global perspective on what’s driving progress and what’s holding it back and how the U.S. can position itself as a partner of choice for infrastructure investors.

11:40 | Q&A led by David Gilford

11:55 | Morning session highlights

12:05 | Lunch

13:20 | Keynote Address: How the MTA is delivering the next generation of infrastructure for New Yorkers

The MTA operates North America’s largest transportation network, serving over 15 million people and driving economic activity across the tristate area and the U.S. Late last year, the MTA released its Capital Improvement Plan, investing $68.4 billion over the next five years to ensure New Yorkers have access to reliable, accessible and sustainable transit.

In this keynote, President of the MTA’s Construction and Development, Jamie Torres Springer, will share how the MTA is delivering on this plan, outlining the opportunities and challenges of delivering such an ambitious infrastructure agenda for one of the world’s largest and busiest cities.

13:30 | Twin Talk Panel #3: Planes, Trains and Automobiles: Reimagining the Next Generation of Transportation Infrastructure in the U.S.

What does the future of transportation look like in the United States?

This panel discussion brings together leaders from some of the biggest transit programs in New York and the U.S. to explore how cities, counties and states are rethinking mobility for the 21st century.

From modernizing transit networks and upgrading airports to integrating emerging technologies, panelists will discuss the innovations, investments, and partnerships needed to create a more connected, efficient, and resilient transportation across America. Most importantly, panelists will share how they are overcoming roadblocks to deliver for their communities.

14:00 | Q&A led by Julie Chang

14:15 | Keynote: Advancing Water Using a Systems-Wide Method. A transformative approach for water and wastewater utilities across the United States

The US Water Alliance is a national membership organization advancing policies and programs to secure a sustainable One Water future for all.

In this keynote, US Water Alliance CSO, Renée Willette, will share how the Alliance’s One Water approach is transforming water outcomes for U.S. communities, whether from the tap, a stream, a storm, an aquifer, or a sewer, in a collaborative, integrated, inclusive and systems-wide manner.

14:25 | Twin Talk Panel #4: From Sea to Shining Sea: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities in Water and How AI is driving Change across the Sector

Water infrastructure in the U.S. faces unprecedented challenges, from aging systems and climate change to increased demands, pollution and shifting regulatory pressures.

This discussion brings together experts from across the U.S. water sector to examine emerging trends, key challenges, and the transformative opportunities ahead.

Panelists will explore how AI is revolutionizing water management, improving efficiency, enhancing predictive capabilities, and enabling smarter decision-making from resource allocation to disaster response.  

14.55 | Q&A led by Victoria Johnson

15:10 | Refreshments

15:25 | Fireside Chat: Transforming Infrastructure Performance. A Shared Priority. How can we leverage the power of investment, expertise and experience to improve infrastructure for Americans and Brits alike?

Both the UK and the U.S. have put infrastructure at the heart of their economic agendas and record investment is flowing. The UK has laid out a bold agenda with commitment to green growth and net zero and through initiatives like the former Infrastructure and Projects Authority’s Transforming Infrastructure Performance program. While the U.S. has recently made record infrastructure investments through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.

What are the shared lessons? Where are the gaps? And how can collaboration between the public and private sectors, and between the two countries, unlock greater value and improve infrastructure performance? This discussion will explore how to raise game on both sides of the Atlantic.

15.55 | Q&A led by Antony Oliver

16:10 | Closing Reflections

16:15 | Close and Open Networking