Q: Who should attend the conference?
A: Bridge design engineers; consultants; fabricators; erectors; precasters; construction professionals; maintenance engineers; transportation officials; policy makers; marketing professionals; federal, state, and local agencies; city, county, and regional officials; industry suppliers; academicians; and bridge professionals with any aspect of bridge design, construction, or maintenance.
Q: Will this be a face-to-face conference?
A: Yes, this is a fully face-to-face conference.
Q: Who is co-sponsoring the conference?
A: Sponsored and Organized by the US Department of Transportation through the Innovative Bridge Technologies/Accelerated Bridge Construction – University Transportation Center (IBT/ABC-UTC), and 33 State Departments of Transportation will be co-sponsoring the 2026 World Bridge Engineering Conference.
Following is the current list of Conference Co-Sponsors:
| Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) | Michigan Dept. of Transportation |
| Alabama Dept. of Transportation | Minnesota Dept. of Transportation |
| Alaska DOT&PF | Mississippi Dept. of Transportation |
| Arizona Dept. of Transportation | Missouri Dept. of Transportation |
| Arkansas Dept. of Transportation | Nebraska Dept. of Transportation |
| California Dept. of Transportation | Nevada Dept. of Transportation |
| Colorado Dept. of Transportation | Oklahoma Dept. of Transportation |
| Connecticut Dept. of Transportation | Oregon Dept. of Transportation |
| Delaware Dept. of Transportation | Pennsylvania Dept. of Transportation |
| Florida Dept. of Transportation | South Carolina Dept. of Transportation |
| Georgia Dept. of Transportation | Tennessee Dept. of Transportation |
| Illinois Dept. of Transportation | Texas Dept. of Transportation |
| Indiana Dept. of Transportation | Utah Dept. of Transportation |
| Iowa Dept. of Transportation | Vermont Agency of Transportation |
| Kansas Dept. of Transportation | Virginia Dept. of Transportation |
| Louisiana Dept. of Transp. & Dev. | Washington State DOT |
| Maine Dept. of Transportation | Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation |
| Wyoming Dept. of Transportation |
To become a co-sponsor, please contact Atorod Azizinamini (aazizina@fiu.edu).
Location of the conference
Q: Where will the conference take place?
A: Hyatt Regency Downtown Miami
400 SE 2nd Ave.
Miami, FL 33131
305-358-1234
Accommodation
Q: Is there a block of rooms?
A: Yes, Block of rooms at special conference rate can be reserved by visiting
Conference rate- single/double – $289 + tax/night
Government rate- single/double – $210 + tax/night
Government rate housing is for U.S. government employees only. The registrant has to show a valid government ID by checking in. Please note rooms are limited and will be available on a first come, first served basis.
Transportation
Q: How far is Miami airport from Hyatt Regency?
A: It’s about 8.9 miles away.
- Rideshare / Driving: It takes about 15 to 25 minutes along the FL-112 E and I-95 S route. Expect standard Uber/Lyft fares to range from $20 to $35, though pricing and travel times can increase significantly during peak morning or evening rush hours.
- Public Transit (Metrorail): It takes about 40 minutes and costs $2.25. You can take the free MIA Mover shuttle from the airport terminal to the Miami Airport Station, board the Metrorail Orange Line southbound, exit at the Government Center Station, and take a quick 3-minute ride on the free Metromover Inner Loop directly to the Knight Center Station, which connects straight into the Hyatt.
Q: Is there parking available at the Hyatt Regency?
A: Self-parking is not available. Overnight valet parking is $56/day with in & out privilege.
The discounted conference rate valet parking is $35 per day, with in and out privilege.
NETWORKING/SOCIAL EVENTS
Q: Is there going to be a reception?
A: Yes, on Tuesday Dec.1st, 2026, there will be a reception.
Q: Do we have to register and pay for the reception.
A: No, reception is included in the registration fee.
Q: Will dinner be served at the reception?
A: Finger food will be served.
Q: Will food be served at the conference?
A: On Wednesday Dec. 2nd breakfast will be served in the exhibit hall. There will be a cash bar for lunch where attendees can purchase lunch on both conference days. Coffee will be served in the morning and the afternoon on both conference days.
SESSIONS
Q: Will the conference contain parallel sessions?
A: Yes, there will be six parallel sessions.
Workshops
Q: Will there be any workshops?
A: Yes, there will be three free workshops:
- Monday Nov. 30th – Non-Destructive Testing
Lecture: 8:00am- Noon
Demo in the exhibit hall 1:00pm-4:00pm
- Monday Nov. 30th – What Bridge Engineers Should Know about AI
1:00pm-4:00pm
- Friday Dec. 4th – Sprayable UHPC
Location will be announced. Priorities will be given to contractors and state engineers.
Q: Do I have to register for the workshops?
A: Yes, even though the workshops are free, the attendees have to register.
Continuing Education Hours
Q: Do we get continuing education hours for attending the conference?
A: Yes, attendees will receive certificate of attendance for the duration of a participating session. The conference organizer (Florida International University) is responsible only for issuing the certificates of attendance.
Q: Do the certificates automatically, count as PDHs?
A: No, it will be the attendee’s responsibility to present this certificate to his/her Board of Professional Engineers for use in fulfilling continuing education requirements. FIU is an official approved sponsor of continuing education for professional engineers in Florida and New York State.
EXHIBITS
Q: When do the exhibitors move in/out?
A: Move in: Monday Nov. 30th, 2026, from Noon – 6:00 pm
Move out: Wednesday, Dec. 2nd, 2026, from 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Q: What are the exhibit hours?
A: The exhibit hall will be open:
Tuesday Dec. 1st, 2026, from 7:00 am – 7:30 pm
Wednesday Dec.2nd, 2026, from 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
It is up to the exhibitors when they would like to be present at their booths.
Q: What is the cost of an exhibit booth?
A: $2,950+tax for an 8×10 booth. Please see the website https://abc-utc.fiu.edu/conference/exhibitors/
or contact Mrs. Mina Saremi msaremi@fiu.edu 954-789-3210
Q: What does come with a booth reservation?
A: The 8 x 10 booths come with:
8′ High Back Drape, 3′ High Side Drapes, ID Sign, and 2 participation IDs
Q: Can an exhibitor become a sponsor?
A: Yes, there are several different sponsorship opportunities such as:
| Conference Reception ONLY 1 Sponsor | $4,000 | To be held on Tuesday evening in the exhibit hall. |
| Breakfast Sponsor on Wednesday 12/2/2026 ONLY 1 Sponsor | $2,500 | Breakfast buffet will be served on Dec. 2nd from 7:00am – 8:00am in the exhibit hall |
| 2 Coffee Sponsors on Tuesday 12/1/2026 2 Coffee Sponsors on Wednesday 12/2/2026 | $1,500 $1,500 | We will offer coffee during the morning and afternoon coffee breaks in the exhibit hall. |
| Lanyards for Name Badges* | $3,200**** | Name and company logo will be placed on the Lanyards. |
| Conference Bag ⃰ ⃰ | $3,700**** | Company name and logo will be placed on bag, as well as placing any advertisement materials inside the bag. |
| Session sponsorship ⃰ ⃰ ⃰ | $1,400**** | 5 minutes presentation of your company and product at beginning of the session of your choice.⃰ |
*The exhibitor has to provide the labeled lanyards. This sponsorship fee is subject to 7% tax and will be added to the listed prices.
⃰ ⃰The exhibitor has to provide the labeled bags. FIU and IBT/ABC-UTC logos will also be placed on the bags. This sponsorship fee is subject to 7% tax and will be added to the listed prices.
⃰ ⃰ ⃰Session choice will be based on first come first serve.
****+7%tax
For more detailed information please contact Mrs. Mina Saremi msaremi@fiu.edu or 954-789-3210
Conference Sponsorship Opportunities
Q: Can companies sponsor the conference?
A: Yes, please see the table below:
| Level | Amount | Participation IDs | Poster Ad Display at Conference | Special Benefits and Recognition at Conference | Recognition conference web site |
| Double Diamond | $8,453 | 3 | Full poster ad | 5 minutes presentation of your company in the General Session (limit 3 companies) Special recognition and Plaque at General session. Name and logo of your company on banners at the conference | Name, Logo, Ad |
| Diamond | $5,457 | 2 | Half poster ad | 5 minutes presentation of your company in the beginning of one of the parallel technical sessions of your choice (limit 3 companies) Special recognition and Plaque at General session. Name and logo of your company on banners at the conference | Name, Logo, Ad |
| Platinum | $3,424 | 1 | Name w/ Company Logo | Special recognition at the General session. Name and logo of your company on banners at the conference | Name and Logo |
| Gold | $2,500 | 0 | Name w/ Company Logo | Recognition at General session. Name and logo of your company on banners at the conference | Name and Logo |
| Silver | $1,500 | 0 | Name Displayed | Recognition at General session. Name and logo of your company on banners at the conference | Name Displayed |
Note: Double Diamond, Diamond, and Platinum fees are subject to a 7% tax and will be added by the checkout.
For more detailed information please contact Mrs. Saremi msaremi@fiu.edu 954-789-3210
REGISTRATION
Q: What is the registration fee?
A: Please see below:
Q: Do the speakers have to register?
A: Yes, all the speakers have to register. The presenting authors will register at a special rate.
Q: Can the speakers cancel their registration?
A: Registrations for speakers are non-cancellable and non-refundable.
Cancellation Policy
Q: What is the cancellation policy?
A: No refund request will be honored after September 11, 2026. All cancellations must be in writing and emailed to Ms. Saremi at msaremi@fiu.edu. If you do not cancel, and are not able to attend the conference, you will be responsible for your full payment.
Please note that registrations for speakers are non-cancellable and non-refundable.
Registration cancellations are subject to $100 administration processing fee.
Exhibit cancellations are subject to $500 administration processing fee.
Nearby Attractions:
———————————- Within Walking Distance (Under 15 Mins): ———————————-
- Miami Circle National Historic Landmark
Miami Circle National Historic Landmark – 4-minute walk. A fascinating waterfront archaeological site at the mouth of the Miami River featuring a 2,000-year-old prehistoric structure built by the indigenous Tequesta people. It offers beautiful views of the bay and the modern Brickell skyline.
- Museum of Miami
Museum of Miami – 13-minute walk. Recently rebranded from History Miami Museum, this Smithsonian affiliate is a fantastic place to learn about South Florida’s rich multicultural history, featuring a 1920s trolley car and shipwreck treasures.
- Bayfront Park & Water Fountain
Bayfront Park & Water Fountain – 12 to 13-minute walk. This massive 32-acre urban oasis right on Biscayne Bay features walking paths, a sandy beach area, and the iconic, recently restored Isamu Noguchi water fountain, which hosts synchronized light and water shows.
———————————- A Quick Drive or Transit Ride (5–10 Mins) ———————————-
- Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel
Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel – 5-minute drive / 17-minute walk. Located right next to Bayfront Park at Bayside Marketplace. It takes you 200 feet in the air inside fully climate-controlled, private glass gondolas for sweeping panoramic views of the city and the ocean.
- Freedom Tower at Miami Dade College
Freedom Tower at Miami Dade College – 3-minute drive / 19-minute walk. Known as the “Ellis Island of the South,” this historic 1920s Mediterranean Revival building features a deeply moving museum dedicated to the Cuban immigrant experience, alongside temporary exhibits like the FIFA soccer showcase.
- Maurice A. Ferré Park
Maurice A. Ferré Park – 5-minute drive. A gorgeous waterside green space that serves as the shared campus for two world-class institutions: the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) and the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science.
Shopping and Dinning
The Hyatt Regency Miami sits perfectly between two distinct waterfront shopping and dining worlds, giving you the best of both high-end luxury and casual, lively entertainment.
———————————- Brickell City Centre (Upscale & Chic) ———————————-
Located less than a mile away in the financial district, this modern, multi-story open-air complex features a high-tech “Climate Ribbon” that keeps the shopping walkways cool.
Where to eat at City Center:
- Casa Tua Cucina – An expansive, 18,000-square-foot Italian food hall inside Saks serving incredible fresh pasta, wood-fired pizza, and artisan gelato.
- Marabu Restaurant – Voted one of Miami’s best Cuban spots. Located on the 4th floor, they specialize in smoky, charcoal-fired meats, short ribs, and award-winning mojitos.
- Luke’s Lobster – Perfect if you want a premium but fast-casual bite; they serve fresh, traceable Maine-style lobster rolls.
———————————- Bayside Marketplace (Waterfront & Lively) ———————————-
Located about a 15-minute walk or a 5-minute transit ride north of the hotel, this energetic, two-story open-air boardwalk sits right on Biscayne Bay next to the city marina.
- The Vibe: Tourist-centric, bustling, and highly energetic, filled with street performers, live music, and boat tour docks.
- Shopping Highlights: Souvenir shops, local vacation boutiques, and familiar national brands.
- Where to eat:
- Black Market Bayside – A nostalgic, 1980s-themed sports bar on the second level. It has an awesome outdoor waterfront patio where you can watch the yachts go by while eating wagyu smash burgers.
- SKOOPS MIAMI – A highly rated spot right at the water’s edge for refreshing artisanal gelato and fruit sorbets.
- Waterside Classics: You will also find dependable staples like The Cheesecake Factory and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. lining the promenade.