There are those who consider the European Transport Conference to be a conference for researchers. Research sessions are an important element, but the Conference's reputation has been built on the interface between research, policy and practice. Speakers are asked to draw out the policy implications of research - not to concentrate on the design and operation of a model, for example. Equally, practitioners and policy makers are encouraged to relate their presentations to the research behind the implementation of schemes and policies.
The Conference has built its reputation on the excellence of presentations and papers and the fact that all delegates are involved in the dissemination of transport research, the formulation of policy and the implementation of those policies and practices. It presents a great opportunity for networking and forming career-spanning professional relationships. Although sessions at the Conference can be challenging in discussing matters of policy at the highest level, they can also provide good, basic education and training opportunities - it is truly a conference for all.
The Conference has up to 10 seminars running simultaneously each day allowing delegates access to a range of sessions - there is freedom to choose between all the sessions on offer. The chairman of each session is asked to make sure there is ample time for discussion of papers and questions and each day has time set aside for networking opportunities.
Transferring knowledge between research and practice
The range of topics and the multi-seminar approach makes ETC unique among transport conferences held in Europe. The Conference programme covers supranational issues, national and local policy, and the implementation of projects at a local level. Issues of key importance are picked out each year for special examination and will be introduced in daily plenary sessions.
Profile of delegates and speakers
The Conference attracts transport planners and engineers; local, regional and central government officers; public transport planners and operators; providers of technical advice and consultancy; policy-makers, researchers and academics; those who evaluate and finance projects.
Format of the European Transport Conference
The Conference is held over three days. Working hours are between 0900 to 1830. In the evenings, optional social events and networking opportunities are offered.
A plenary session is held every day. These present an opportunity to invite keynote speakers and to hold panel sessions which deal with key critical topics, affecting transport across Europe, that are of interest to all delegates.
Each day has 3 sessions of up to 2 hours with up to 4 papers presented in each session (minimum of 10 minutes discussion on each). Up to 10 sessions are held simultaneously so delegates can choose to listen to papers ranging from in-depth discussion of general policy at local, national and supranational levels to research methods and the implementation of projects.
An attractive package is available to encourage attendance for the full three days of the Conference. To maximise networking opportunities offered by the event, it is hoped that delegates attend for the whole Conference. However, attendance on single days is also possible. The Conference Rover ticket also allows organisations to book for the full three days and send a different delegate on separate days.
Conference language
The language of the Conference is English and all presentations will be made in English. Speakers and delegates are advised that it is necessary to have a good standard of spoken English to take full advantage of the Conference.