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ITAym General Assembly and Interactive Session Bring Young Professionals Together

ITAym General Assembly and Interactive Session Bring Young Professionals Together On 18 May, the ITAym programme at the ITA WTC2026 brought together young professionals and Member Nation representatives for a day focused on collaboration, networking and the future of the tunnelling industry. The activities included both the ITAym General Assembly and an interactive session designed to encourage exchange between participants from around the world. ITA Young Members Session Open to all Young Members attending the Congress, the interactive workshop created an engaging space for networking, collaboration and discussion among young tunnelling professionals from diverse countries and backgrounds. Participants were divided into groups to explore a variety of tunnelling-related topics in a dynamic and informal setting. The session aimed to foster new connections, encourage the exchange of ideas and provide an opportunity for participants to share experiences and perspectives on current tunnelling challenges. ITA Young Members General Assembly The ITAym General Assembly brought together the official Young Member representatives from each national association, while remaining open to all participants interested in ITA activities. During the session, members elected a new Chair and Vice-Chair from within the current Steering Committee, as well as two new representatives to join the Committee. Representatives also discussed and planned upcoming initiatives and activities for the year ahead, sharing ideas and identifying key topics and events of interest for the global Young Members community.

Join the WTC 2029 Candidates Presentations This Evening

📍 Venue: Palais des congrès de Montréal – Exhibition Area Stage 🕠 Tuesday 19 May | 17:30–19:00 Tonight at ITA World Tunnel Congress 2026, discover an exciting new format as Finland and Austria present their candidatures to host WTC 2029 live on stage. Taking place in the Exhibition Area, this dynamic and interactive session replaces the traditional Member Nations and Candidates Dinner, bringing delegates closer to the ideas, vision and ambition behind each candidature. Join colleagues and industry peers for an engaging evening celebrating innovation, collaboration and the future of the global tunnelling community.

ITACUS Think Deep Session Explores the Future of Underground Space

The ITACUS Young Professional Think Deep Session took place on Monday at ITA World Tunnel Congress 2026, bringing together young professionals and industry leaders for a dynamic discussion on the future of underground space and urban connectivity. Held in the Exhibition Hall, the session explored the theme “From Below to Beyond: Reimagining How Underground Space Connects Cities” through round table discussions and input statements from international participants and contributors.

Asia-Pacific Forum today

🗓️ Tuesday 🕜 1:30 – 3:00 PM 📍 Room 447–448 (ITA Meeting Room) The objective of this forum is to highlight the importance of working together across the Asia-Pacific region, while fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. The session will include the sharing of information, as well as educational and practical examples that demonstrate innovation, best practices, and regional expertise. This is an excellent opportunity to connect with peers, strengthen partnerships, and contribute to shaping future collaboration within our community. We warmly encourage your participation and look forward to your contribution to the discussion.

Exhibition Hall Officially Opens with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The Exhibition Hall at ITA WTC2026 officially opened on Monday with a ribbon cutting ceremony welcoming delegates, exhibitors and industry partners from around the world. The opening marked the start of several days of innovation, networking and exchange, showcasing the latest technologies, projects and solutions shaping the future of underground infrastructure and tunnelling.

Opening Ceremony & Muir Wood Lecture

The Opening Ceremony on Monday, 18 May officially marked the start of ITA World Tunnel Congress 2026. A key highlight of the ceremony was the prestigious Muir Wood Lecture, delivered by Remo Grandori, nominated by the Italian Tunnelling Society and selected by the ITA Executive Council. His lecture focused on the role of tunnel boring machines (TBMs) in large-scale underground construction, exploring key challenges, innovations and logistics shaping major projects worldwide.

ITA General Assembly Opens WTC Week in Montreal

The first part of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA-AITES) General Assembly took place on Sunday, officially launching an important week of discussions and collaboration during ITA WTC2026. The session was chaired by ITA president Andrea Pigorini, who welcomed delegates and representatives from across the international tunnelling and underground space community. Members gathered to review key association matters, exchange updates, and discuss strategic topics shaping the future of the industry. The discussions reflected the strong engagement of ITA members and the shared commitment to advancing underground infrastructure and international cooperation. The second part of the General Assembly will take place on Wednesday.

Join the ITACUS Think Deep Session at ITA WTC2026

Join us on Monday, 18 May, at the ITA World Tunnel Congress 2026 in Montreal for the ITACUS Young Professional Think Deep Session, bringing together young professionals and industry experts to explore the future of underground space and urban connectivity. Hosted by ITACUS and the Tunnelling Association of Canada (TAC), the session will feature the Montreal case study “From Line to Life” and showcase innovative ideas developed by 20 young professionals from around the world on integrating underground space into the city’s waterfront landscape. The session will take place on Monday 18 May, from 11:00 to 12:30 in the Exhibition Hall (210 A/B). Don’t miss this opportunity to discover fresh perspectives, exchange ideas and be part of the conversation shaping the future of underground space.

ITA Engage Africa – Special Strategic Session at ITA WTC2026 – Mon 18 May 14:30

Date & time: Monday 18 May, 14:30 Venue: Room 447/448, ITA Meeting Room As part of the ITA World Tunnel Congress 2026 in Montreal, ITA will host a Special Engage Africa Strategic Session, bringing together African Member Nations and key stakeholders to advance a coordinated approach to tunnelling and underground space development across the continent. Building on the Engage Africa initiative launched after WTC 2023 in Athens and further discussions held in Cape Town in 2024, the session will provide a focused and interactive platform to identify priority needs, policy and technical gaps, and opportunities for education, training and capacity building. Particular attention will be given to strengthening institutional readiness and exploring partnerships with multilateral institutions. Designed as a collaborative brainstorming session, the discussion aims to lay the foundations for a shared action plan and high-level roadmap to support sustainable underground infrastructure development in Africa, led jointly by ITA and its African Member Nations

Canada Showcases Deep Geological Repository Plans

Date & time: Monday 18 May, 14:30–17:30 Venue: Room 516 C, Palais des congrès de Montréal Canada will highlight its long-term nuclear waste strategy at ITA WTC2026, focusing on deep geological disposal and underground engineering excellence. On Monday, 18 May 2026, ITA WTC2026 in Montréal will host a dedicated “Showcase Canada” session exploring the country’s approach to the long-term management of used nuclear fuel. The session will present Canada’s Deep Geological Repository project, addressing key aspects such as governance frameworks, site selection, repository design, and engineering challenges associated with deep underground infrastructure. Bringing together ITA members and international stakeholders, the event will emphasise constructability, underground logistics, risk management, and programme integration, reinforcing Canada’s leadership in advancing safe and sustainable underground solutions.

ITA Open Session – Part I: New ITA Guidelines in Focus – Tue 19 May 08:30 – 10:30

Date & time: Tuesday 19 May, 08:30–10:30 Format: Five parallel technical sessions Venue: Palais des congrès de Montréal As part of the ITA World Tunnel Congress 2026 in Montreal, ITA Open Session – Part I will feature five parallel technical sessions showcasing the latest ITA guidelines, released shortly ahead of WTC 2026. During this focused morning programme, ITA Working Groups and the ITAtech Committee will present new and updated guidance reflecting the most recent advances in tunnelling and underground space design, construction and operation. The sessions provide delegates with direct insight into how ITA’s technical work is translating research, experience and innovation into practical guidance for the international underground community. Designed for engineers, owners, designers, contractors and decision makers, the Open Session – Part I offers an efficient overview of key developments across multiple technical domains, highlighting ITA’s central role in setting common references and supporting best practice worldwide. The sessions underline ITA’s commitment to delivering relevant, timely and globally applicable guidance that responds to emerging challenges and evolving industry needs.

Reserve you podium spot to highlight your company.

Take the spotlight at the Exhibitor Podium during WTC 2026 in Montréal. This is your opportunity to showcase your innovations, share your expertise, and connect directly with a global tunnelling audience. Elevate your visibility and position your company as a leader in the industry—secure your time slot today, as availability is limited.

Welcome Reception Brings Delegates Together

The Welcome Reception on Sunday evening marked the start of a vibrant week at ITA WTC2026, bringing together delegates, partners, and industry professionals from around the world. The event offered a warm and welcoming atmosphere filled with networking opportunities and exchanges ahead of the technical programme and activities to come.

Join us at the Welcome Reception - Sunday May 17th 18:00

A Taste of Canada to Kick Off WTC2026 Start your Congress experience the Montréal way. The Welcome Reception officially opens WTC2026 with an evening inspired by the flavours of Montréal. Included with your registration, this gathering brings together delegates from across the industry for the first major networking moment of the event. Enjoy a curated Montréal tasting experience featuring local culinary specialties and Québec-inspired bites. Reconnect with colleagues, meet new collaborators, and set the tone for the days ahead in a relaxed and festive atmosphere. This is where conversations begin — and where the Congress truly comes to life. Included with full registration. We look forward to welcoming you.

ITA Open Session – Think Tank at ITA WTC2026 – Tue 19 May 10:50 – 12:30

Date & time: Tuesday 19 May, 10:50–12:30 Venue: Plenary Hall, Palais des congrès de Montréal The ITA Think Tank on the Role of AI in the Underground will connect the diverse expertise of the WTC 2026 community for an interactive and accessible discussion on the application of AI in tunnelling practice. Led by keynote speaker Ramy Nassar, the session will demystify AI by establishing a common language and setting realistic expectations for its capabilities. It will highlight responsible, real-world applications while encouraging critical reflection on limitations and potential misuse, and will provide valuable insights to the ITA on both the state of the art and the state of practice across the tunnelling sector. Keynote Speaker: Ramy Nassar is a futurist, AI strategist, and innovation expert at the intersection of technology, design, and business strategy. A former Head of Innovation at Mattel, he now helps global organizations navigate AI and emerging technologies with clarity and confidence. With over 25 years of experience advising more than 250 organizations, including Apple, TD Bank, and Verizon, he is known for cutting through the hype to deliver practical tools that turn complexity into action and disruption into opportunity. As the ITA Think Tank keynote, he will frame the discussion on the role of AI in the underground, bringing a builder’s mindset focused on designing the future. Keynote Summary: AI is reshaping how communities are connected through infrastructure, and the engineers who build it should lead that transition. This keynote will provide a clear, jargon-free perspective on what AI can do today, where it is heading as predictive analytics and language models converge, and what will remain essential: professional judgment, accountability, and curiosity. Both a practical field guide and a call to action, the session will leave participants asking sharper questions, thinking more broadly about their work, and ready to turn AI from noise into a meaningful advantage. The Moderators: The ITA Think Tank will be moderated by Gregory Charles and Dr. Josephine Morgenroth. Gregory Charles is a renowned Canadian performer, broadcaster, and communicator, celebrated for his dynamic stage presence and ability to engage diverse audiences. A classically trained pianist with a career spanning music, media, and public dialogue, he brings a unique talent for making complex ideas accessible and fostering meaningful conversation. Josephine Morgenroth is a senior geotechnical engineer at BGC Engineering specializing in tunnelling and machine learning applications in underground rock engineering, with hands-on experience across mining, hydropower, and civil infrastructure; her work integrates traditional engineering practice with data-driven tools, focusing on applications such as tunnel stability prediction, digital geotechnical mapping, and automated underground inspection.