Vision & strategy sessions
Explore our vision & strategy sessions at ASCE2027—here’s a preview of what’s in store.
See the ASCE2027 program
AI-Driven Design & Cyber-Resilience
Engineering the Future: Harnessing Digital Transformation in Civil Engineering
Moderator: Norma Jean Mattei
Civil engineering is going digital. From AI and digital twins to drones and predictive analytics, emerging technologies are transforming how infrastructure is designed, built, and maintained. This session brings together industry leaders to explore how tech-driven innovation is optimizing performance, boosting sustainability, and reshaping the asset lifecycle. Panelists will share real-world examples, strategies for overcoming adoption barriers, and insights on aligning infrastructure investments with digital transformation.
Cyber Resilience in the Age of Smart Cities
Moderator: Judith Mitrani-Reiser
With the benefits of greater interconnectedness come greater risks. As cities become increasingly reliant on smart technologies, a significant risk is the emergence of cyber threats. Experts from academia, industry, and government will lead this vital discussion, focusing on cyber resilience in the built environment and highlighting key vulnerabilities, emerging threats, and best practices for safeguarding smart city infrastructure.
Future Proofing Your Community
Moderator: Judith Mitrani-Reiser
It’s time to rethink how we build-and rebuild. Civil engineering leaders must confront tough questions and bold challenges to create future-proof infrastructure. This session brings together public works executives, strategists, and resilience experts to explore transformative approaches, featuring case studies from U.S. cities and global conflict zones. Attendees will gain actionable insights to safeguard communities and drive innovation in the built environment.
Autonomous & Smart Tech Frontiers
The Future of Mobility: Connecting People and Commerce in Greater Philadelphia
Moderator: Kevin Brown
Transportation powers Philadelphia’s future. As the region plans for growth through 2035, connecting communities to the goods and services they rely on is more critical than ever. This panel convenes visionary leaders from across the city’s transportation ecosystem for a candid conversation on the bold collaborations reshaping the region.
Global Lessons, Local Impact: Rethinking U.S. Infrastructure Investment
Moderator: Norma Jean Mattei
Global infrastructure is evolving—and the U.S. has a chance to lead. Around the world, cities are investing in high-speed rail, green ports, and climate-ready design to boost resilience and quality of life. This session brings together global executives, investors, and policy experts to explore international funding trends and breakthrough innovations. Panelists will share bold models of collaboration and design that are reshaping infrastructure—and offer actionable insights for how the U.S. can adapt global best practices to build smarter, more connected systems.
Deep Technical Dive
Energy Outlook
Moderator: Craig Ruyle
Explore the future of energy infrastructure, including transmission, storage, and emerging approaches to building a resilient national grid.
Engineering at the Edge
Resilience Reimagined: Community Recovery after Disaster Strikes
Moderator: Craig Ruyle
Rebuilding stronger starts now. As disasters grow more frequent and severe, civil engineering leaders face a critical challenge: how to rebuild smarter, faster, and more sustainably. This session brings together experts from government, industry, and community organizations to share bold strategies for recovery—highlighting innovative financing, inclusive engagement, and climate-informed design. Attendees will gain insights into how resilient rebuilding can protect communities and accelerate recovery after crisis.
Future Materials & Construction Methods
Innovation and Risk in Mega Projects
Moderator: David Odeh
Communities across the United States and around the world are reimagining their urban identity through transformative infrastructure. Explore how visionary design, advanced construction methods, and financial modeling are converging to shape ambitious developments. Megaprojects throughout the Philadelphia region exemplify these trends – hear successes and lessons learned from executives on projects as varied as the Navy Yard expansion, the proposed retractable-roof stadium, and Penn’s Landing I-95 CAP.
Rethinking Infrastructure Finance & Policy
Financing Resilience: How Investors are Shaping the Nation’s Infrastructure
Moderator: David Odeh
Resilience is redefining risk. Financial institutions are evolving how they assess value as climate and technology reshape infrastructure. This session explores how resilience is integrated into funding and investment decisions.
Revitalizing the Nation’s Cities
Moderator: Judith Mitrani-Reiser
Cities remain economic engines and cultural anchors. Learn how visionary urban design, investment models, and inclusive planning are shaping the future of revitalized American cities.
Small Business Owner Roundtable
Moderator: David Odeh
This session focuses on the realities facing emerging engineering firms, including finance, mergers, acquisitions, funding, and technology development.
Wins Contracts, and Protects Your ROI: Insurance Drives Trust
Moderator: Craig Ruyle
Insurance is more than protection, it is a strategic differentiator. Learn how liability, coverage, and risk frameworks shape competitiveness and client trust in major civil engineering work.
The Future Workforce & Practice Methods
Engineering the Future of the A/E/C Workforce
Moderator: Kevin Brown
Explore how organizations are rethinking talent pipelines, training, and workforce development to meet the evolving needs of the industry.
Building a Resilient Infrastructure Team
Moderator: Stacey Kulesza
Leaders share real world strategies for team resilience, engagement, and managing workforce burnout across multigenerational engineering environments.