TIP NYC 2026 SUMMIT
Transforming Infrastructure Performance (TIP) NYC returns to New York City in April 2026 at a moment when the infrastructure sector is entering a markedly different operating environment.
The past few years have been defined by scale, historic federal investment, expanded capital programs, and an unprecedented pipeline of projects moving into delivery. The next phase will be defined by something harder, performance. As major federal programs approach their sunset, infrastructure owners and operators are being asked to stretch every dollar further, manage assets longer, and deliver outcomes that endure well beyond initial construction.
At the same time, new pressures are reshaping the system. Rapid growth in data centers and the AI economy is driving surging demand for power, transmission, water, land, and digital connectivity, often faster than infrastructure planning, permitting, and delivery frameworks were designed to accommodate. Financing models are becoming more dynamic and locally driven. Permitting timelines remain misaligned with the pace of economic and technological change. And communities expect infrastructure that is not only functional, but resilient, reliable, and responsive to daily life.
New York City sits at the center of these dynamics. Few places concentrate as much infrastructure complexity, institutional fragmentation, climate exposure, and economic intensity in one system. What works in New York, and what doesn’t, matters for the rest of the U.S. and the world.
TIP NYC 2026 will explore how New York City can remain dynamic, resilient, and responsive to community needs, drawing on best practice from across the United States and around the world, and translating those lessons into insights relevant for infrastructure systems nationwide.
Please register using the form at the bottom of this page
In-person event | Limited capacity
EVENT DETAILS
- Date: 16 April 2026
- Time: 10am – 4pm
- Venue: IBM Flagship HQ,
1 Madison Ave, New York,
New York, 10016
WHY TIP & WHY NOW
TIP NYC is not designed as a general forum or a policy debate. It is a working summit for leaders responsible for real systems, real assets, and real consequences.
Across the program, TIP NYC 2026 will examine how infrastructure leaders are responding to changing circumstances by evolving how infrastructure is planned, governed, financed, and managed over time.
The program will tackle the disconnect between how assets are delivered and how they are operated, maintained, and funded across decades of service. It will examine where technology is already improving decision-making, and where expectations exceed practical reality. And it will confront the hard trade-offs facing infrastructure owners as demand accelerates, funding tightens, and systems are pushed to operate closer to their limits.
LEADERSHIP
TIP NYC Chair
TIP NYC 2026 Co-Chairs
Mark Coates
Vice President, Infrastructure Policy Advancement, Bentley Systems
Julie Chang
CEO, JCA Strategic Solutions
Ross Van Dongen
Chief of Infrastructure and Workforce Development, Accelerator for America
SPEAKERS
Andy Byford
Special Advisor, Amtrak
Marie Lam-Frendo
Chief Strategy Officer, Meridiam
Veronica Vecchi
Chair, Infrastructure Commission, Milan–Cortina 2026 Olympics & Professor of Public Management, Bocconi University
David Gilford
Senior Advisor, Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners
Rick Geddes
Professor and Founding Director, Cornell Program in Infrastructure Policy
Maria Lehman
Interim Executive Director, American Society of Civil Engineers
David Goldwater
Senior Vice President, Public Policy, Stantec
Antony Oliver
Host, The Infrastructure Podcast
AGENDA
TIME | TIP Toronto 2025 | Speakers |
8.00 AM | Breakfast reception and event registration | |
9.00 AM | Event commencement Welcome & Opening Remarks | Pippa Higgins, Vice President, Group Lead-Transit & Urban Mobility/ Institute of Civil Engineers- Toronto |
9.10 AM | Chairperson’s Address: The State of Infrastructure Performance in 2025- Bentley Systems Infrastructure performance is now at the centre of national conversations, shaped by fiscal pressures, climate impacts, digital transformation, and the expectations of communities who rely on it every day. As Canada meets the challenges of a rapidly changing world, the imperative is clear: infrastructure must deliver more value, more reliably, and more sustainably for our communities and economy. In this opening address, Mark Coates, VP of Infrastructure Policy Advancement at Bentley Systems, will set the stage for the day by examining the current state of infrastructure performance in Canada and globally. He will highlight where progress is being made, where systemic challenges remain, and how leaders can work together to deliver better outcomes. | Mark Coates, VP, Infrastructure Policy Advancement, Bentley Systems |
9:20 AM | Opening Keynote Address: MP Jennifer McKelvie- From Roads to Results: Aligning Infrastructure for Shared Success Canada’s infrastructure must deliver more than physical assets, it must drive economic competitiveness, climate resilience, and growth that leaves no one behind. Achieving this requires alignment across federal, provincial, municipal, and community priorities, ensuring that projects contribute to shared outcomes Canada-wide. In this keynote, MP Jennifer McKelvie, Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure, will explore how Canada can move from building roads and bridges to delivering measurable results for citizens, highlighting the importance of policy alignment, accountability, and collaboration. | Keynote: MP Jennifer McKelvie, Parliamentary Secretary, Infrastructure |
9.35 AM | Twin Talk #1 Keynote: Matt Macdonald, Advisor to CEO, AECON | Keynote: Matt Macdonald, Advisor to CEO, AECON |
9.45 AM | Twin Talk #1: Building for Growth: The Role of Infrastructure in Canada’s Nation-Building Agenda Canada is at a critical economic crossroads. With the lowest productivity growth in the OECD and growing trade uncertainty with the United States, bold action is needed to secure the country’s long-term competitiveness. The federal government has responded with an ambitious nation-building agenda focused on removing internal trade barriers, accelerating major infrastructure projects, and unlocking new avenues for growth. At the heart of this agenda is infrastructure, a foundational driver of productivity, economic resilience, and national cohesion. From ALTO high-speed rail, the Gordie Howe International Bridge, and Ontario’s GO Expansion to B.C.’s Site C Clean Energy Project, flagship investments are stitching the country together, boosting trade, mobility, energy security, and long-term competitiveness. This panel will explore how Canada can build smarter, faster, and more inclusively, focusing on projects of national significance, workforce readiness, and the urgent need to streamline interprovincial trade. The discussion will also look at how modern infrastructure can better connect Canadian businesses to global markets and strengthen Canada’s position in an increasingly competitive world. | Moderator: Alim Somani, Managing Director Digital, Hatch Panellists: · Matt Macdonald, Advisor to CEO, AECON · Karla Avis Birch, Principal Major Rail Projects Leader, ARUP · Sabrina Fiorellino, Chief Executive Officer, Fero
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10.15 AM | Twin Talk #2 Keynote: Laurent Boinot, Power and Utilities Lead, Microsoft | Twin Talk #2 Keynote: Laurent Boinot, Power and Utilities Lead, Microsoft |
10:25 AM | Twin Talk 2 – Powering the Future: AI, Energy Infrastructure, and Canada’s Competitive Edge. As Canada accelerates its energy transition and digital transformation, the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and energy infrastructure is reshaping the landscape. Panellists will discuss the growing energy demands of AI itself, assess the current and future capacity of Canada’s energy infrastructure, and consider strategic investments needed to support sustainable growth. How can Canada balance AI-driven innovation with resilient, clean, and competitive energy systems? What infrastructure is required to keep pace with global trends and maintain leadership in a rapidly evolving energy economy. | Moderator: Antony Oliver Panellists: · Ben Davies, Chief Information Officer, Vector Institute · Laurent Boinot, Power and Utilities Lead, Microsoft
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10.55 AM | Networking Coffee Break |
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11.25 AM | TIPLive Toronto: The Infrastructure Podcast Interview with Divya Shah, Managing Director, Trade & Transportation, Canada Infrastructure Bank | Moderator: Antony Oliver Guest: Divya Shah, Managing Director, Trade & Transportation, Canada Infrastructure Bank |
11:55 AM | Twin Talk #3 Keynote: Daniel Farina, General Manager, CDPQ Infra | Keynote: Daniel Farina, General Manager, CDPQ Infra |
12.05 PM | Twin Talk #3 – Financing Canada’s Infrastructure Transformation Canada is at a pivotal moment in reshaping its infrastructure to meet the demands of a low carbon, digitally connected, and socially inclusive future. Behind this transformation is a sophisticated and evolving financing ecosystem, one that brings together public institutions, pension funds, private capital, and Indigenous and community-based investment models. This panel explores how Canada’s leading institutional investors and infrastructure enablers are building that ecosystem to deliver resilient, sustainable infrastructure at scale. | Moderator: Lisa Mitchell, President and CEO, CCPPP Panellists: · Daniel Farina, General Manager, CDPQ Infra · Alena Thouin, Chief Operations and Strategy Officer, Building Ontario Fund · Hillary Thatcher, Managing Director, Canada Infrastructure Bank
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12.45 PM | Networking Lunch Break |
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1.45 PM | Keynote: Digital Project Delivery – Realizing Value | Randy McMeekin, Global Managing Director, Engineering, Hatch |
2.00 PM
| Twin Talk #4 Keynote: Amar Singh, Executive Vice President – Commercial Advisory & Strategy at Infrastructure Ontario | Keynote: Amar Singh, Executive Vice President – Commercial Advisory & Strategy at Infrastructure Ontario |
2.10 PM | Twin Talk #4- Bridging the Digital Divide, Advancing Digital Twin Adoption for Canadian Infrastructure As Canada accelerates the modernization of its infrastructure, digital twins are emerging as a critical tool for enhancing planning, delivery, and operations. However, adoption remains uneven across sectors and jurisdictions, constrained by technical, financial, and institutional barriers. This panel will mark the official launch of the Future of Infrastructure Group (FIG) digital twin paper, unpack its findings and lay out actionable recommendations for accelerating uptake across the public and private sectors. | Moderator: John Allen, Vice President & National Infrastructure Practice Lead, Global Public Affairs
Panellists: · Amar Singh, Executive Vice President – Commercial Advisory & Strategy at Infrastructure Ontario · Alim Somani, Managing Director of Digital Practice, Hatch · Farzad Jalaei, Research Officer, Digitalization of Construction Processes Lead National Research Council · Lindsay English, Associate Principal, Digital Services, ARUP
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2.50 PM | TIPLive Toronto: The Infrastructure Podcast Episode (Fireside Chat) – Interview with Peter Weltman, Vice Chair of the Canada Infrastructure Council and Director at Technomics Canada Building the Backbone: Housing-Enabling Infrastructure and the Future of Canada’s Communities. Antony Oliver sits down with the Vice Chair of the Canada Infrastructure Council to explore the critical role of infrastructure in enabling housing development across Canada. As the country faces mounting housing pressures, the conversation delves into how coordinated planning, smarter regulation, and nation-building programs can unlock the infrastructure needed to support sustainable, liveable communities. | Moderator: Antony Oliver
Guest: Peter Weltman, Vice Chair of the Canada Infrastructure Council/Director, Technomics
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3.30 PM | Afternoon Coffee Break | |
3:55 PM | Program Management Insights Toronto Pearson LIFT: Creating the Airport of the Future | Jeff Walter, Senior Digital Twin Architect and Innovation Leader, AECOM
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4.25 PM | Closing Reflections | John Allen, Vice President and National Infrastructure Practice Lead, Global Public Affairs
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| Networking Cocktail Reception 4:30-6:00 PM |
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BROUGHT TO YOU IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
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Join a select group of infrastructure leaders, policymakers, and innovators for a meaningful exchange of ideas. These invite-only gatherings offer a chance to explore forward-thinking approaches, share your perspective, and help shape the future of infrastructure. Space is limited, register early to secure your spot.
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We respect your privacy. By submitting this form, you consent to us collecting, storing, and processing your personal data in accordance with GDPR. Your information will be used solely for event registration and for sharing post-event content and marketing materials, as outlined in our Privacy Policy. We will not share your information without your explicit consent. You can withdraw your consent at any time by contacting our team.
REGISTRATION CLOSED
Thank you for your interest in this event. Registration is now closed.