The City of Warsaw became a key central hub last week to discuss ongoing cooperation and future developments for the Intelligent Transport Systems community.
ERTICO’s CEO Joost Vantomme addressed the opening of the 17th ITS Poland Congress via video message, sharing updates on ERTICO’s current initiatives and some latest insights from the European policy, research and deployment angle. He extended his best wishes for two days of engaging discussions and collaboration.
ITS Polska also organised a productive dialogue session where ERTICO' CEO and ITS Nationals former Chair, Guenther Weber, discussed the cooperation and future path of the ITS Nationals Network. It was a unison voice calling to strengthen the partnership and to place technology, innovation, and digitalisation high on the agenda for policies and deployment.
At the same time, the Network of ITS Nationals Associations convened for its Annual Plenary meeting and National Awards Ceremony. Mr Vantomme extends his warm congratulations to all the award winners. “All ITS Nationals organisations are working on Europe’s transport innovation ecosystem. Big congratulations to all winners on receiving the prestigious awards across all nomination categories. A special recognition to TTS Italia for taking home the Excellence in Transportation Award sponsored by the 2027 Birmingham ITS World Congress.”
The Nationals Award recognises how the 29 organisations across Europe support their sectors, embracing best practice amongst its members. Joost continued, “We look forward to continuing to strengthen our cooperation at all levels, and in particular to shape the next ITS Congresses to reflect the breadth of expertise in the ITS community. Together we will not only build an event, but a unique forum to connect, exchange and explore new ideas”.
Chris Lane, Strategic Head of Transport Innovation at TfWM, and leading the West Midlands’ planning for the ITS World Congress in Birmingham, also emphasised on the co-operative nature of the plans for 2027. “This is the first time the UK has hosted the ITS World Congress since London in 2006. The ITS Nationals network has told us they want a Congress not just in the West Midlands but showcasing the innovations of the West Midlands – showing the solutions being delivered in and around Birmingham as the UK’s first Future Transport Zone.”
“And,” Mr Lane concluded, “we’ll be showing off the best of the West Midlands too, from soccer and Shakespeare to Cadbury’s and curry. We really want to hear more about what you’d like to experience in Birmingham – the deep expertise of the Nationals network is vital in delivering a successful and valuable Congress.”
Around 15,000 participants from across the globe are expected at the Congress at Birmingham’s NEC, with five days of technical and special interest sessions, hands-on demonstrations, technical visits, and robust networking opportunities under the theme “Connect Ideas. Transform Transport.”
“All members of the ITS Nationals network are big supporters of the ITS World Congress and are excited to be involved in the planning for Birmingham 2027,” added Network Chair Dónal Hodgins, “Our collaboration with ERTICO can only deliver good things for the sector as we use the Congress to boost the awareness and deployment opportunities of transport technology”.
With the event now just two years away, ERTICO and TfWM are inviting members of the broader industry to convene the Highways UK event in Birmingham on Wednesday, 15 October, to receive more intel on early engagement opportunities for the World Congress.
Participants will also gain more details about the upcoming ITS European Congress edition, taking place in Istanbul from 27 – 29 April 2026. Explore all speaking opportunities and exhibition reservations at itseuropeancongress.com