Conference 2025
18th National Conference and 3rd IRF Regional Congress for Europe & Central Asia
In 2025, Sofia will host the 3rd Regional Congress of the IRF for Europe & Central Asia and the 18th National Conference on Transport Infrastructure in Bulgaria. The theme will be:
“Rethinking Regional Corridors: Safe, Sustainable, Connected, and Future-Ready”
Join us in Sofia for the 2025 edition of the IRF Europe & Central Asia Regional Congress and the XVIIIth Bulgarian National Transport Infrastructure Conference. This premier regional event will bring together thought leaders, practitioners, and policymakers to explore pressing challenges and opportunities across Europe and Central Asia. Building on previous successes, the 2025 Congress will focus on the following key themes:
- Enhancing Road Safety & Vision Zero Strategies
- Developing Resilient & Connected Corridors
- Digitalization & Smart Mobility
- Next Generation Infrastructure & Materials
- Road User Charging & Travel Demand Management
- Low Volume Road Condition Management
The congress is expected to serve as an important platform for high-level networking and experience sharing among leading experts from around the world. The main goal remains the development of greener, safer, and smarter transport solutions that contribute to better regional connectivity.
Event Details:
- Date: October 14–16, 2025
- Location: Inter Expo Center, Sofia, Bulgaria
- Price: 600 BGN (VAT not incl.)
The Evolution of the Transport Infrastructure Conference: From Humble Beginnings to International Recognition
The year is 2008, the month is October. Along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, 147 excited guests eagerly await the start of the First Road Conference. The organizers – the Department of Roads at the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG) – are even more excited. This initiative lays the foundation for a long-standing tradition that will play a significant role in the development of Bulgaria’s transport infrastructure.
Today, 17 years later, the 18th National Conference on Transport Infrastructure and the 3rd Regional Congress of the IRF (International Road Federation) Europe & Central Asia stand among the largest and most prestigious events in the sector.
How did we get here?
In its early years, the event was called the “Roads Conference,” with a primary focus on the construction, maintenance, and development of road infrastructure. Even then, the goal was clear – to establish a sustainable link between administration, academia, and business.
Over time, the format evolved – interest grew, and participation became increasingly diverse. Soon, distinguished international experts began joining the speaker lineup, sharing their expertise, methodologies, and innovative solutions. The forum’s popularity expanded, transforming it from a purely national event into an international platform for discussion and knowledge exchange.
Each year, the conference tackles current challenges and trends in the sector. In 2021, the 14th edition emphasized Bulgaria’s connectivity to the European transport network, the Green Deal, and the sustainable use of construction materials. The spotlight was also on smart transport systems, digitalization, and the role of autonomous vehicles.
This evolution is a natural response to the growing challenges in the sector and the need to adopt modern technologies, sustainable solutions, and innovative strategies.
In 2022 and 2023, the Conference, held in Nessebar, explored themes such as road safety, strategic infrastructure projects, and regulatory frameworks in the transport sector, focused on digitalization, the application of artificial intelligence in transport. Experts from neighboring countries also took part, sharing their experiences and practices.
In 2024, a key transformation occurred – for the first time, the annual conference was held in conjunction with the 2nd Regional Congress of the International Road Federation (IRF) for Europe and Central Asia. This marked the first time IRF hosted such a large-scale event in Bulgaria. Unsurprisingly, the high level of international participation attracted experts from around the world to discuss future challenges and innovations in the sector.
The conference continues to play a crucial role in the development of transport infrastructure, offering a platform for the exchange of knowledge and best practices among representatives from business, academia, and public institutions.
The variety of topics and speakers has broadened the nature of the discussions – it’s no longer just about roads. The conference’s scope has expanded to include themes such as urban mobility, rail and air transport, transport digitalization, and intelligent traffic management systems.
International Recognition and Key Participants
Over the years, the Conference on Transport Infrastructure has gathered hundreds of experts from various sectors – public institutions, academia, and private business. Notable participants have included:
- Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (online)
- The Vice President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) for Central and Eastern Europe
- World Bank representatives
- Lilyana Pavlova – Minister of Regional Development and Public Works
- Ivaylo Moskovski – Minister of Transport
- Nikolay Nankov – Minister of Regional Development and Public Works
- The head of the investment fund of the Three Seas Initiative
- Heads of national road agencies from countries such as the Czech Republic, Serbia, and others
- Executives from global corporations including Lindsay, Kapsch, Bechtel, Emovis, Sensys Gatso, Yunex Traffic, Peri, PTV Group, Strabag
- The largest Bulgarian construction companies – Trace Group Hold, G.P. Group, GBS
Key Partners and Supporting Institutions
Over the years, the conference has been supported by numerous organizations and institutions, including:
- The Department of Roads and Transport Facilities at UACEG
- The Bulgarian Forum for Transport Infrastructure
- The Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works
- BAU Academy
- Metropolitan EAD
- The National Railway Infrastructure Company
- The Road Infrastructure Agency
- The European Investment Bank
- The Chamber of Builders in Bulgaria
- International organizations such as the International Road Federation, PIARC, World Bank, and many more.
Exhibition
Place your company’s brand, products, and services front and center at this high-profile industry event. By securing an exhibition space or pavilion, you can boost your market visibility and gain exposure to key decision-makers, government officials, and buyers actively engaged in road and transport infrastructure projects.
Еxhibition floor plan >>>
Booth A (Regular)
- 8m²
- Price:
Booth A (Premium)
- 12m²
- Price:
Booth D (Regular)
- 10m²
- Price:
Hotels Nearby
Expo Hotel Sofia (Venue Hotel)
The Conference guests can use Promo Code ITE to get promo prices.
The code is valid for reservation from 10 th to 18 th October 2025
Prices (breakfast included):
- 100 EUR per room per day (for single room)
- 110 EUR per room per day (for double room)
Premier Airport Hotel
The Conference guests can use Promo Code ITE to get promo prices. The code is valid for reservation from 10 th to 18 th October 2025
There is shuttle organized from hotel to the venue two times in the morning and two times back
in the afternoon. The hotel also provides free shuttle to the nearest metro station.
Prices (breakfast included):
- 100 EUR per room per day (for single room)
- 110 EUR per room per day (for double room)
Sofia Hotel Balkan
Address: 5 Sveta Nedelya Square, Sofia, Bulgaria, 1000
Prices (breakfast included):
- 145-155 EUR per room per day (for single room)
- 155-165 EUR per room per day (for double room)
Hilton Sofia
Address: g.k. Lozenets, Bulgaria Blvd 1, 1421 Sofia, Bulgaria
Price (breakfast included):
- 189EUR per room per day (for single room)
XVIIth Bulgarian National Transport Infrastructure Conference & IRF Europe & Central Asia Regional Congress
XVIth Bulgarian National Transport Infrastructure Conference with international participation
2022
XV NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE WITH INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION
2021
XIV NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE WITH INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION
2020
XIII NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE WITH INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION
2019
XII NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE WITH INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION
2018
XI NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE WITH INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION
Организационен комитет
Председатели
.
Организационен секретар
Членове
Проф. д-р инж. Иван Марков
Ректор на УАСГ
Проф. д.ик.н инж. Николай Михайлов
Председател на УС на Сдружение „БФТИ“ и председател на Научния съвет към Институт по транспортна инфраструктура
Проф. д-р инж. Иван Марков
Ректор на УАСГ
Д-р инж. Христо Грозданов
Управител на Институт по транспортна инфраструктура
арх. Иван Шишков
Министър на РРБ
Малина Крумова
Председател на Държавна агенция „Безопасност на движението по пътищата“
Проф. д-р инж. Стоян Братоев
Изпълнителен директор на Метрополитен
Христо Алексиев
Служебен заместник министър-председател по икономическите политики и министър на транспорта и съобщенията
Доц. д-р Николай Цонков
Изпълнителен директор на Сдружение „БФТИ“
Д-р Николай Иванов
Председател на УС на ББАПБ
Инж. Валентин Николов
Изпълнителен директор на КСБ
Генчо Керезов
заместник кмет на Столична Община
Нина Вълчева
Бау Академи
др. инж. Анатоли Андреев
УНСС. Експерт по енергийна сигурност
