events

WESTAC brings together transportation leaders at a variety of events throughout the year.

  • Member Forums: WESTAC’s signature event is its bi-annual Member Forum, a one- to two-day member-only event offering in-camera presentations and discussions about topical issues. Featuring high-profile speakers, they allow for the lively exchange of ideas and opinions and provide opportunities for informal meetings between senior industry representatives and decision-makers.
  • Roundtables: WESTAC regularly hosts member-only roundtables for newly appointed Ministers of Transportation from across the region. The Council is called upon to convene and facilitate seminars and workshops on specific issues impacting transportation across Western Canada.
  • Conferences: Periodically, WESTAC hosts high-quality larger conferences that are open to the wider transportation community.


Upcoming Events


2022 Fall Member Forum

Driving Future Change in Transportation

Nov 21, 2022 – Nov 22, 2022
Hyatt Regency, Calgary

The past two years have had a lasting impact on the future of work and our understanding of what a better future for Canada might look like. Therefore, evaluating the immediate and long-term implications of these changes and the need to adapt is essential.

What if we could see the future today? To find innovative solutions, we need to start in the future and work backwards to define the steps to take and modify our current strategies.

The 2022 Fall Forum will look at adaptation to the changing climate and the changing workforce. How can we improve transportation efficiency, grow the economy, and adjust to workers' needs?

The Forum will also feature a unique opportunity—to discover the future in transportation. We will hear from one of North America's top futurists, Brian David Johnson. Connect with him in the "futurist lounge," and he will help you understand your future and the steps needed to get there.

Join us in Calgary as we discuss driving future change in transportation.

2023 Spring Member Forum

May 4, 2023 – May 5, 2023
Fairmont Hotel, Winnipeg

Program and registration details will be available in early 2023.

PAST SPEAKERS

WESTAC hosts thought-leaders and expert speakers at its annual forums. Below is a small selection of speakers.

  • David Bach, Deputy Dean & Professor in the Practice of Management, Yale School of Management
  • Nikolas Badminton, Futurist
  • Stephen Beatty, Global Chairman, Infrastructure, KPMG
  • Pieter Bottelier, former Chief of World Bank office in Beijing and former Professor, China Studies at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies
  • Darrell Bricker, Chief Executive Officer, Ipsos Public Affairs
  • Brian Lee Crowley, Managing Director, Macdonald-Laurier Institute
  • Martin Ford, Futurist, New York Times Bestselling Author, Keynote Speaker and Silicon Valley Entrepreneur
  • Dr. George Friedman, Founder & Chairman, Geopolitical Futures
  • Dr. Richard Haass, President, Council on Foreign Relations
  • Peter Hall, Vice President & Chief Economist, Export Development Canada
  • Bruce Heyman, Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada
  • Patricia Mohr, ‎Vice-President, Economics & Commodity Market Specialist, The Scotiabank Group
  • Stephen Poloz, Special Advisor, Osler
  • David Rosenberg, Chief Economist & Strategist, Gluskin Sheff + Associates
  • A. Gary Shilling, Forbes and Bloomberg columnist
     

Top left: Nikolas Badminton, top right: Dr. George Friedman, bottom left: David Rosenberg, bottom right: Martin Ford

PAST EVENTS

WESTAC addresses timely, strategic transportation issues through its Member Forums, roundtables and industry conferences. Follow the link below to see a full list of past events or browse through the most recent events listed below.

SEE PHOTOS FROM PAST EVENTS

Liberal Prairies & Northern Caucus

May 30, 2018
Ottawa, ON

WESTAC members presented to the Liberal Prairies & Northern Caucus to share an overview of the transportation network that is critical to Canada’s trade and economic well-being.

Expert Forum On Coastal Transportation Infrastructure

Climate Change and Coastal Transportation Infrastructure

May 16, 2018 – May 17, 2018
Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue

This Forum will focus on the management of risks associated with extreme weather, natural disasters, sea level rise, and climate change as they impact the movement of people and goods in coastal communities in British Columbia.

2018 Spring Member Forum

Evolution in Transportation: Incremental Steps Towards Optimization

May 3, 2018 – May 4, 2018
Fairmont Hotel, Winnipeg

The 2018 Spring Member Forum will explore opportunities to evolve the Western Canadian transportation system within the next five years. The meeting aims to assess the options available to advance the industry in more incremental ways versus the disruptive forces that have dominated recent discussions.

Hon. Ron Schuler Roundtable, Manitoba

Welcome roundtable for new Manitoba Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. Ron Schuler. 

Mar 5, 2018
Winnipeg

Stakeholders briefed Minister Schuler on issues and opportunities in the Western Canadian transportation system, with a focus on Manitoba.

2017 Fall Member Forum

Forces of Change

Nov 6, 2017 – Nov 7, 2017
Calgary, Sheraton Suites Eau Claire

This Forum provides an opportunity to think about longer-term global issues to support the strategic decisions leaders must make for their organization. The 'forces' which will be explored include: One Belt, One Road; blockchain, shipping industry transformations and the future of work.

Hon. David Marit and Hon. Lyle Stewart Roundtable, Saskatchewan

Roundtable for Saskatchewan's Minister of Highways & Infrastructure, Hon. David Marit, and Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Lyle Stewart. 

Apr 26, 2017
Regina

Stakeholders briefed the Ministers on issues and opportunities in the western Canadian transportation system, with a focus on Saskatchewan. 

2017 Spring Member Forum

Capacity Conversations

Apr 26, 2017 – Apr 27, 2017
Regina

At the 2017 Spring Member Forum, WESTAC members representing the shipper and the service provider communities will be encouraged to share information and insight to improve capacity and service.

Women in Transportation: A WESTAC and APGST Roundtable

Women in Transportation: A WESTAC and APGST Roundtable

Mar 14, 2017
Vancouver, BC

WESTAC is bringing together stakeholders for a conversation on engaging women in leadership roles within the transportation industry. The roundtable is hosted by the Asia Pacific Gateway Skills Table and organized by WESTAC. A report synthesizing the experiences of over 30 women in the sector will be made available prior to the roundtable. Registration is complimentary and by invitation only. 

21st Annual Fields on Wheels Conference

Grain Complexity: Grow it, Move it and Trade it!

Oct 21, 2016
Winnipeg, MB

For 20 years the Fields on Wheels conferences have presented expert speakers, expanding the knowledge base and fostering discussion on developing trends and changes in the grain supply chain.

2016 Fall Member Forum

Exceptional Speaker Series

Oct 13, 2016 – Oct 14, 2016
Vancouver, BC

As organizations head into the new year, certain factors are bound to have a substantial bearing on the global economy and cascading impacts for transportation and trade in Western Canada.