ARTBA’s P3s in Transportation Conference, now in its 31st year, is the nation’s premier and longest-standing transportation P3 networking event. Attendees will:
- CONNECT with hundreds of key decision makers, project sponsors, private-sector finance executives, and government leaders;
- EXPLORE new market opportunities;
- PARTICIPATE in interactive sessions on timely topics;
- GATHER EXPERT INSIGHTS developed from over three decades of P3 experience;
- LOOK AHEAD to the developing P3 markets;
- WIN prizes with our new social media raffle;
- EARN Professional Development Hours (PDH);
- CONGRATULATE the winners of the annual ARTBA P3 Awards Program;
- SALUTE the 2018-19 P3 Division Board of Directors;
- WELCOME the next generation of P3 leaders through the Emerging Leaders track; and
- ENJOY complimentary admission to the 6th Annual National Workshop for State & Local Transportation Advocates.
Please contact ARTBA’s Ed Tarrant with questions.

“ARTBA has always been a steadfast advocate of critical issues to transportation, including long-term funding solutions, as well as leading the discussion regarding the best way to procure and deliver major transport infrastructure projects. The Annual P3 Conference has been and will continue to be the preeminent summer gathering of transport advocates, financiers, builders, designers and operators. There is no better place or time to meet and receive updates related to upcoming legislative, regulatory and project pipeline in our industry.”
31st Annual Public-Private Partnerships (P3s) in Transportation Conference
Washington. D.C.
July 17-19, 2019
Program as of July 12, 2019. Session topics and participants subject to change.
*Asterisk indicates panelist invited and pending confirmation.
Wednesday, July 17 | |
2 - 5 p.m. | Owners Peer Exchange Facilitated by Gail Lewis, Arizona DOT, and Sam Beydoun, Illinois DOT By invitation only Public owners will gather for their annual peer discussion on current topics in P3 project planning, finance and delivery. |
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | National Workshop for State & Local Transportation Investment Advocates Included with your P3 Conference registration The signature program of ARTBA’s Transportation Investment Advocacy Center™ (TIAC) brings together transportation infrastructure champions from around the country to share best practices, playbook secrets and other keys to success in advancing state and local legislative and ballot initiatives that boost investment. |
6 - 7:30 p.m. | Opening Reception |
7:30 - 9:30 p.m. | P3 Division Board Meeting & Dinner By invitation only |
Thursday, July 18 | |
7 - 8 a.m. | Conference Sponsors Breakfast By invitation only |
7:30 - 8 a.m. | Continental Breakfast For all attendees |
8 - 8:15 a.m. | Welcome Remarks Dave Bauer, ARTBA President & CEO Jennifer Aument, Transurban, ARTBA P3 Division President |
8:15 - 8:45 a.m. | Opening Keynote Speaker The Honorable Dan DeBono, Chief Infrastructure Funding Officer, U.S. Department of Transportation |
8:45 - 9:15 a.m. | Plenary Session: The View from Capitol Hill Hear the latest on current and potential transportation and P3-related legislative initiatives directly from the halls of Congress. Moderator: Dean Franks, ARTBA Senior VP for Congressional Relations |
9:15 - 10:15 a.m. | Plenary Session: Making P3s a Reality... An Owners Discussion Key state transportation leaders provide insight into how they have surmounted obstacles and built momentum for major P3 projects. Moderator: Deborah Brown, WSP Panelists: Dr. Shawn Wilson, Secretary, Louisiana DOTD Pete Rahn, Secretary, Maryland Department of Transportation Meg Pirkle, Chief Engineer, Georgia Department of Transportation |
10:15 - 10:30 a.m. | Networking Coffee Break |
10:30 - 10:45 a.m. | 15-Minute Project Spotlight: WestConnex Presenter: Adam Hesketh, Transurban |
10:45 - 11:45 a.m. | Plenary Session: The Great Debate... Are P3s Even Worth It? Differing Views on the Risk Appetite for P3s This year’s debate – a tradition at the ARTBA P3 Conference – features multiple expert viewpoints on risk, and how it may be driving the U.S. P3 market. Moderator: Sia Kusha, Plenary Group Panelists: Bob Alger, Lane Construction and ARTBA Chairman Jim Ray, Former Senior Advisor, U.S. Department of Transportation Tony Geach, Parsons Joe Wingerter, Kiewit |
11:45 a.m. - 12 p.m. | 15-Minute Project Spotlight: LAX Automated People Mover Presenter: Noah Jolley, ACS |
12 - 1:30 p.m. | Awards Luncheon The ARTBA P3 Division presents its four annual awards recognizing noteworthy individuals and projects. ARTBA P3 Division President Jennifer Aument will look back on the past 12 months, and attendees will meet the 2019-2020 P3 Division Officers and Board of Directors. |
1:30 - 2:30 p.m. | Plenary Sessions: Streamlining the Streamlining... Putting Project Delivery Reforms to Work Practitioners explore recent federal reforms and how to take full advantage of them at the project level. Moderator: Dusty Holcombe, RS&H Panelists: Amanda Baxter, Transurban Melanie Valk, Itinera April Marchese, U.S. Department of Transportation |
2:30- 2:45 p.m. | 15-Minute Project Spotlight: Colorado Central 70 Presenter: Nick Farber, Colorado High Performance Transportation Enterprise |
2:45 - 3 p.m. | Networking Coffee Break |
3 - 4 p.m. | Plenary Session: The View from the State Legislatures Presented with the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) No one has more influence over state-level P3 policy than legislators. Once again this year, NCSL draws from its membership to present a panel diverse in political views, geography and experience with P3s. Understanding their perspectives can be a key to effective advocacy for P3s. Moderator: Matt Girard, Plenary Group Panelists: State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Alabama) State Sen. Mathew Pitsch (R-Arkansas) |
4 - 5 p.m. | Plenary Session: Into the P3 Sea... A Deep Dive on U.S. P3 Market Opportunities Panelists bringing a variety of perspectives – including international – paint the “big picture” of the U.S. P3 market, now and in the future. Moderator: David Spector, KPMG Panelists: Marty Klepper, Fengate Susan Howard, AASHTO/BATIC Institute Mark Romoff, Canadian Council of Public Private Partnerships Donald Ludlow, CPCS Edward Fanter |
6 - 7:30 p.m. | Evening Networking Reception All Conference attendees are welcome to attend |
Friday, July 19 | |
7:30 - 8 a.m. | Emerging Leaders Mentoring Breakfast For “Emerging Leaders Track” participants and invited mentors only Emerging leaders will meet informally with senior executives in the industry for one-on-one discussion. 7 – 7:30 a.m. – Emerging Leaders only 7:30 – 8 a.m. – Emerging Leaders and Mentors |
7:30 - 8 a.m. | Continental Breakfast For all Conference attendees |
8 - 9 a.m. | Breakout Session 1: DBE Compliance on P3 Projects The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) works with state agencies to administer the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, an important requirement on federal-aid projects. FHWA recently released a new DBE program handbook for use in alternative contracting and procurement, such as P3 projects. FHWA officials will present an overview of the handbook. The session will also include a state perspective on contracting and diversity. Moderator: Wanda Brown, BTG Panelists: Martha Kenley, Federal Highway Administration Christine Thorkildsen, Federal Highway Administration Greg Slater, Maryland State Highway Administration Breakout Session 2: Putting P3 Research into Action Planned for “Emerging Leaders Track” participants; other conference attendees are welcome to attend as well. Candidates for advanced academic degrees share their P3-related research with emerging leaders, with the shared objective of gaining more recognition for and positively influencing real-world projects through this important work among P3 practitioners. Moderator: Dr. Jonathan Gifford, George Mason University Panelists: Carter B. Casady, Stanford University Eric Childress, George Mason University Kunqi (Quincy) Zhang, University of Maryland, College Park |
9 - 9:15 a.m. | 15-Minute Project Spotlight: Ports America Chesapeake Presenter: Bayard Hogans, Ports America Chesapeake |
9:15 - 10:15 a.m. | Plenary Session: (Don't) Kill All the Lawyers... Untangling Risk Issues in P3 Projects An all-star panel of legal minds will provide a lively and entertaining look at current P3 risk issues. It’s a worthy follow up to the previous day’s Great Debate session, but this time with lawyers! Moderator: Chuck Wall, Seyfarth Shaw Panelists: Andy Fraiser, Ashurst Sam Gilmore, Kiewit Simon Santiago, Nossaman Joe Seliga, Mayer Brown |
10:15 - 10:30 a.m. | Networking Coffee Break |
10:30 - 11 a.m. | Featured Speaker The Honorable Nicole Nason, Administrator, Federal Highway Administration |
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Closing Plenary Session: Interactive Town Hall Discussion For all Conference attendees and “Emerging Leaders Track” participants The traditional conclusion to ARTBA’s P3 Conference will give all attendees an opportunity to share thoughts on the issues raised over the past three days. Moderator/Facilitator/Ringmaster Steve DeWitt will lead the proceedings. Moderator: Steve DeWitt, ACS Panelists/Facilitators: Bryan Kendro, Star America Yousef Salama, LA Metro David Spector, KPMG Mariana Torres, YPI |

“We have found that no other gathering has the depth of professional experience in the audience and at the presenter podium and that brings ultimate value to our time together. From the view from the Hill, the “great debate” to subject matter sessions and deal flow presentations by State representatives to the social gatherings, the ARTBA P3 conference seamlessly stiches them together into a marvelous opportunity for all attendees.”
Click here to see the latest on award nominations and winners!
New this year!
Thanks to all who entered our Social Media Raffle by using #ARTBAP3 on Twitter and LinkedIn.
The inaugural ARTBA P3 Social Media Raffle is RS&H. Thank you for your promotional support of this year’s P3 Conference!

“The networking opportunities and relationships developed as a part of the ARTBA P3 conference have truly been a benefit to expanding my understanding of the P3 market place. The involvement of owners, developers, contractors, and designers all in one location is not replicated at any other conference I’ve attended. My involvement and attendance at the ARTPA P3 conference is one of the most important events for American Structurepoint that I attend every year.”
For the third year, ARTBA’s P3 Conference welcomed the next generation of leaders through a special registration rate and schedule exclusively designed for emerging leaders in transportation P3s. ARTBA teamed up with Young Professionals in Infrastructure (YPI) again to host the 2019 edition.
For rookies, veterans or professionals just interested in the P3 sector, this half-day track was an excellent opportunity to network, hear insights from industry peers and executives, and join interactive discussions on pertinent industry issues. This event aims to improve both the careers of those who participate, as well as the future of the industry.
The half-day track included welcome remarks, mentorship breakfast, two panel sessions, a networking coffee break, and an interactive town hall discussion from 7:15 – 11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 19.
The registration also included an invitation to the P3 Conference’s Networking Reception, which took place the night before, July 18, from 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Professional Development Hours (PDHs) are available, subject to the approval of your governing State Accrediting Agency.

“The half day track for emerging leaders at ARTBA’s P3 conference is a rare opportunity to network with peers and senior executives, learn P3 basics and the latest industry trends, and join advocacy efforts that further sound infrastructure policy. For all these reasons, it’s a smart investment of your time.”
ARTBA is proud to continue its Professional Development Hours (PDH) program to all of the attendees of the 2019 P3 Conference as a value-added benefit at the event, subject to the approval of your governing State Accrediting Agency.

“The ARTBA P3s in Transportation Conference is full of excellent panels and speakers from public and private leaders across the P3 industry, and the mentorship and networking opportunities through the emerging leaders track as part of this conference are unparalleled. I look forward to this event every year and encourage everyone from students to young professionals to attend and grow their knowledge of P3s, help ensure a strong future for our vital industry, and have a bit of fun as well!”