The organisers and host of the ITS World Congress 2027, to be held at Birmingham’s NEC, have announced the host committee chairs responsible for delivering this global prestigious event.
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), the Department for Transport, Department of Business and Trade, ITS UK and Visit Britain, are collaborating with the organiser, ERTICO-ITS Europe to bring transport technology to life during five days, 25-27 October 2027.
As preparations already accelerate, Andy Graham of White Willow Consulting has been appointed chair of the Technical Working Group, and Louise from WSP, chair of the Sponsorship, Promotions and Delegate Experience Advisory Group. Both will report to the Host Committee, which is chaired by TRL CEO Paul Campion.
The Technical Committee will work closely with ERTICO and the UK Host committees to ensure the country’s strengths in ITS and cutting-edge technologies are highlighted, via the development of presentations, papers, demonstrations and exhibition. This will help enhance the technical programme by identifying exciting demonstrations and technical visits. The Committee is also tasked with inspiring young professionals.
The User Experience group will be working on making sure the 15-thousand participants to the NEC have a memorable time, through everything from local travel, in-congress experience, local visits and socialising. They will advise on additional ways of attracting attendees and ensuring a sustainable and inclusive event.
“It is an honour, and a great opportunity for Birmingham and the UK to host ITS World Congress in 2027: we expect to welcome 15,000 people from around the world and it is a chance for us to show not just the UK leadership in intelligent transport technologies but, even more importantly, what those technologies can do for people, the economy and the environment,” says Campion. “I feel immensely privileged to be part of an advisory group that draws on the whole breadth of knowledge in the UK, and we intend to do Birmingham, the West Midlands and the whole of the UK proud.”
“The last time the ITS World Congress came to the UK was 2006 in London, so a country gets to host it at most twice in someone’s career,” says Graham. “We are building a team of the finest out there, to make sure we maximise the value of the Congress via our exceptional West Midlands and wider UK talent.”
“No matter how good the speakers, exhibition or demonstrations are, we want to make certain every attendee’s lived experience from the second they decide to register exceeds their expectations – that is what will make this congress a standout success,” adds Louise Lawrence. “It doesn’t matter how good the speakers, exhibition or demonstrations are if people get lost, are soaked in the rain or unable to get a drink in the evening.
“We will learn from what works and doesn’t work at other Congresses and Exhibitions here and around the world, to make sure we put on a memorable show that people remember for all the right reasons.”
Among those who have already volunteered on the committees are leaders from suppliers, consultants and government, along with media, business and exhibition professionals.
“We really are building up a delivery team of all the talents,” says TfWM’s Head of Transport Innovation Chris Lane, who is leading the planning for the host region. “It’s amazing how much talent there is in our industry – we have so many people who have been to more than ten Congresses around the world, and even have someone who ran operations at the London Olympics in 2012. Of course, we’re also helped by the “godfather” of ITS Congresses, Professor Eric Sampson CBE who delivered the first ever Congress in 1994 and the 2006 event in London and is providing invaluable expertise and insight this time around.”
“On behalf of ERTICO, I wish to extend a warm welcome to Andy Graham and Louise Lawrence in their leading roles as we prepare for Birmingham at full speed,” says Joost Vantomme, CEO of ERTICO-ITS Europe. “As we look ahead to the first milestones for the commercial partnerships and exhibition opportunities which will open up next year, we look forward to working towards delivering a truly outstanding event. Together, we will ensure this World Congress sets new standards of excellence.”
The host organising team are already being supported by contributions from the Transport Technology Forum, Intelligent Transport Systems UK, Local Council Roads Innovation Group, Innovate UK, and the Connected Places Catapult.
The 2027 ITS World Congress will showcase the latest transport technology, including connected, electric and zero-emission, and autonomous vehicles, 5 and 6G technology and traffic management systems.
TfWM is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) which, through initiatives like the Future Transport Zone, is a global leader in the field and at the cutting edge in key areas of research and development such as autonomous vehicle development, battery technology, the emerging very light rail system and smart ticketing.
The ITS World Congress is an annual event held in rotation between three global regions – the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe, Middle East and Africa. Birmingham will host the 33rd ITS World Congress from 25-29 October 2027. The event is organised by ERTICO-ITS Europe.
