CARSP/ACIP 2026 Conference Reflection

My First CARSP Conference: Reflections from Halifax

By Kim Henry, Executive Director, CARSP

There is something very different about experiencing a CARSP conference from the inside.

As a relatively new Executive Director, I arrived in Halifax knowing how much work had gone into bringing the conference together. I had seen the schedules, the planning meetings, the emails, the last-minute changes and the countless details that happen behind the scenes. But what I hadn't fully appreciated until I was there was what happens when all of those pieces come together.

For several days in Halifax, we had people from across Canada—and from many different areas of road safety—sharing ideas, challenging one another, reconnecting with colleagues and starting new conversations. Researchers were talking with practitioners. Engineers were connecting with people in public health, enforcement, government and community organizations. Young professionals were meeting people who have spent decades in the field.

For me, that was one of the most important takeaways from my first CARSP conference: CARSP's strength really is in the people and perspectives it brings together.

I was also struck by how willing people were to share what they know. Whether it was during a formal presentation, a panel discussion, a hallway conversation, over lunch or at one of the social events, there was a genuine openness to learning from one another. Some of the best conversations weren't necessarily the ones on the program—they were the ones that started because the program brought people into the same room.

It was especially rewarding to see our young professionals engaged throughout the conference. Creating opportunities for the next generation of road safety professionals to build relationships, contribute their perspectives and learn from experienced leaders is important to the future of both CARSP and the broader road safety community.

The feedback we received following the conference reinforced much of what I experienced myself. Delegates valued the opportunity to connect, learn and exchange ideas, while also giving us thoughtful suggestions about how we can continue improving the conference experience. That feedback matters. We are already using it as we plan for Vancouver in 2027.

Halifax also gave me a much better appreciation for the enormous volunteer effort behind CARSP. Conferences like this don't simply happen. They are built over many months by volunteers, committee members, presenters, moderators, partners and others who contribute their time and expertise because they believe in the work.

I am incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make Halifax possible, including our conference co-host and partners, ACIP and Parachute, our committees and volunteers, our speakers and presenters, our sponsors and exhibitors, and every delegate who chose to spend those few days with us.

For someone still relatively new to CARSP, Halifax was also an opportunity to meet many of our members in person for the first time. I appreciated every introduction, every conversation and every person who took a few minutes to tell me what CARSP means to them—or what they would like to see from us in the future.

Those conversations are important as we look ahead.

CARSP is more than an annual conference. We have an opportunity to continue strengthening the connections among Canada's road safety professionals throughout the year—through professional development, webinars, knowledge sharing, partnerships, opportunities for young professionals and, most importantly, by listening to our members and responding to what they need from their national association.

And now, of course, we turn our attention west.

Our 2027 conference will take place in Vancouver from May 30 to June 2, 2027, in partnership with Transoft Solutions, under the theme:

Designing Safer Futures – Connecting People. Inspiring Innovation. Driving Action.

After experiencing Halifax, I am even more excited about what we can build together in Vancouver.

Thank you to everyone who welcomed me so warmly at my first CARSP conference. I left Halifax tired—as I suspect many conference organizers do—but also energized, encouraged and very proud to be part of this community.

There is a lot ahead for CARSP, and I am looking forward to it.