Our Methodology
How we design and deliver impactful infrastructure events that drive meaningful outcomes across Canada
Evidence-based Agenda Design
Our conference and event agendas aren't created in isolation—they emerge from a rigorous process of research and consultation that ensures relevance and impact. We begin by conducting comprehensive needs assessments across the Canadian infrastructure sector, identifying both persistent challenges and emerging opportunities that warrant focused attention.
This process includes:
- Detailed analysis of municipal infrastructure reports and strategic plans to identify common challenges and priorities
- Structured interviews with public works directors, procurement officers, and infrastructure contractors to understand operational pain points
- Review of academic research and industry publications to identify emerging best practices and innovations
- Examination of regulatory changes and policy developments that impact infrastructure planning and management
- Assessment of previous event feedback to continuously refine our approach and address identified gaps
Once we've established a comprehensive understanding of sector needs, we curate content that balances theoretical frameworks with practical implementation strategies. Our typical format combines plenary sessions for broad knowledge sharing, targeted roundtables for deep discussion of specific challenges, and hands-on workshops where participants develop actionable plans for their own contexts.
Speaker and case study selection follows equally rigorous criteria, prioritizing:
- Demonstrated expertise and implementation experience rather than theoretical knowledge alone
- Diverse perspectives that represent different regions, municipality sizes, and stakeholder groups
- Ability to communicate complex concepts in accessible, actionable ways
- Willingness to engage in honest discussion of both successes and failures
- Relevance to current Canadian infrastructure contexts and regulatory frameworks
This evidence-based approach ensures our events don't simply present interesting ideas—they deliver practical insights that participants can immediately apply to improve infrastructure management in their own communities.
Stakeholder Consultation & Participation
Meaningful infrastructure events require input from all stakeholders who influence and are affected by public works decisions. Our stakeholder engagement model ensures diverse perspectives shape every aspect of our programming, from initial concept to post-event implementation support.
Our consultation process includes:
- Pre-event interviews with municipal leaders, contractors, engineers, and community representatives to identify priority topics and desired outcomes
- Targeted surveys that gather quantitative data on infrastructure challenges across different regions and municipality sizes
- Advisory boards comprising representatives from various stakeholder groups who provide ongoing guidance throughout the planning process
- Regular feedback loops that allow us to adjust programming based on emerging needs and changing priorities
- Post-event consultations to assess impact and identify opportunities for continued support
This multi-faceted approach ensures our events reflect the full complexity of infrastructure management, balancing technical, financial, regulatory, and community considerations. We deliberately create space for different—sometimes conflicting—perspectives, facilitating productive dialogue that leads to more robust solutions.
Our methodology for balancing practical and policy content includes:
- Pairing policy presentations with implementation case studies that demonstrate real-world application
- Creating dialogue opportunities between policy makers and practitioners to bridge the implementation gap
- Structuring workshops where participants translate high-level principles into context-specific action plans
- Facilitating peer learning between municipalities at different stages of implementation
- Documenting both policy frameworks and practical implementation tools in post-event resources
By ensuring all relevant stakeholders have meaningful input into our events, we create programming that addresses the full spectrum of infrastructure challenges and opportunities across Canada.
Measurement & Reporting
The true value of our events emerges in their aftermath, as participants implement new approaches and forge productive relationships. We employ a comprehensive measurement framework to track outcomes across multiple dimensions, ensuring our events deliver meaningful impact for all stakeholders.
Our key metrics include:
- Policy Outcomes: Changes to municipal infrastructure policies, procurement frameworks, and management approaches implemented following our events
- Procurement Improvements: Efficiencies gained in procurement processes, including reduced timelines, increased competition, and better value outcomes
- Innovation Adoption: Implementation of new technologies, methodologies, and management approaches introduced during our programming
- Networking Value: Partnerships, collaborations, and knowledge sharing relationships that emerge from structured networking opportunities
- Participant Development: Enhanced capacity among infrastructure professionals, measured through self-assessment and supervisor feedback
Our measurement process combines:
- Immediate post-event evaluations capturing participant satisfaction and intended actions
- Three-month follow-up assessments tracking initial implementation of learnings
- Six-month impact reports documenting concrete outcomes and ongoing challenges
- Annual longitudinal studies examining longer-term effects in selected case study municipalities
- Qualitative interviews capturing nuanced impacts not reflected in quantitative measures
These findings inform comprehensive reports provided to participants, sponsors, and other stakeholders, documenting both immediate outcomes and longer-term impacts. Reports include concrete examples of implementation, barriers encountered, and strategies for overcoming challenges—creating a valuable resource that extends the event's impact far beyond its conclusion.
This rigorous approach to measurement and reporting ensures our events don't simply deliver engaging experiences—they catalyze meaningful improvements in infrastructure management across Canadian communities.