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| 8 Jul 2026 | |
| Written by Gaby Vita | |
| Events News |
| IGS North America |
Welcome back to our Road to Montréal series!
Whether you're attending your very first International Conference on Geosynthetics or returning to reconnect with colleagues from around the world, 13ICG is almost here!
If you've never attended an international conference of this scale before, it's perfectly normal to have questions:
With 13ICG now just a couple of weeks away, this guide will help you know what to expect and arrive in Montréal feeling confident, prepared, and ready to make the most of the experience.
The 13th International Conference on Geosynthetics (13ICG) will bring the global geosynthetics community together at the Palais des congrès de Montréal from September 13–17, 2026.
More than 1,000 engineers, researchers, regulators, manufacturers, consultants, contractors, academics, students, and other professionals from around the world are expected to gather in Montréal to exchange knowledge, showcase innovation, and help shape the future of the industry.
Whether you're presenting research, attending technical sessions, exhibiting, or simply looking to expand your knowledge and professional network, you'll quickly discover that the IGS community is welcoming, collaborative, and eager to share ideas.
13ICG is much more than a conference.
Throughout the week, you'll have access to:
Every day offers new opportunities to learn, collaborate, exchange ideas, and build lasting professional relationships.
The International Conference on Geosynthetics takes place every four years, making it one of the most significant events in the global geosynthetics calendar.
When you arrive at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, one of your first stops should be the conference registration area.
Registration opens at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 13, on Level 5 of the Palais des congrès de Montréal.
Here, you'll be able to collect your delegate badge and the information you need for the conference.
If you're arriving on Sunday, registering early is a great way to familiarize yourself with the venue before the Welcome Plenary and Opening Reception that evening.
Before leaving for Montréal, take some time to explore the full conference program and start planning your week.
With so much happening across 13ICG, planning your schedule in advance will help you:
๐ Explore the Full 13ICG Program & Schedule
Don't feel that you need to plan every minute. Leaving some flexibility in your schedule gives you time for unexpected conversations, exhibition visits, and networking opportunities.
Every day at 13ICG will be different, but you can expect a combination of:
You'll quickly find your rhythm and can tailor each day around the sessions, topics, and activities that interest you most.
There is no formal conference dress code.
Most delegates choose business casual, balancing professionalism with comfort.
We recommend bringing:
Remember, you'll probably be doing far more walking than you expect!
Technical sessions are at the heart of 13ICG.
Sessions are organized by topic and take place throughout the conference, allowing delegates to choose the presentations most relevant to their interests and areas of expertise.
Don't worry if two interesting sessions are taking place at the same time—parallel sessions are a normal part of a major international conference. Planning ahead will help you prioritize the presentations you most want to attend.
Don't be afraid to ask questions or introduce yourself to presenters afterward. These conversations are an excellent opportunity to discuss research, exchange ideas, and make new professional connections.
Many collaborations, research projects, and lasting professional relationships begin with a simple conversation after a technical presentation.
The international exhibition will be an important hub of activity throughout 13ICG.
It provides an opportunity to meet organizations from across the geosynthetics sector, discover new technologies and solutions, and connect directly with industry professionals.
Take time to explore the exhibition throughout the week rather than trying to visit every stand in one day.
You may meet manufacturers, consultants, suppliers, testing specialists, researchers, and other organizations working across the many applications of geosynthetics.
And don't forget to visit the IGS stand and say hello to the team!
Coffee breaks aren't simply an opportunity to grab a drink.
They're also some of the best networking opportunities during the conference.
Use this time to:
Some of the most valuable conversations at an international conference happen between sessions rather than inside them.
13ICG also offers plenty of opportunities to connect outside the technical program.
From the Opening Reception on Sunday evening to the Happy Hour, exhibition networking, lunches, and the conference Gala, these events provide a more relaxed environment to meet international colleagues and strengthen professional relationships.
Social events are particularly valuable if you're attending 13ICG for the first time. Don't worry about arriving without knowing many people, the purpose of these events is to bring the community together.
Check the full conference program for the latest times, locations, and event information.
Are you:
โ Presenting a paper?
โ Exhibiting?
โ Sponsoring?
โ Simply attending?
The organizers have created a collection of downloadable promotional graphics to help you share your involvement with colleagues and your professional network.
Whether you're inviting visitors to your exhibition stand, celebrating an accepted paper, or simply letting your network know you'll be in Montréal, these ready-made graphics make it easy.
๐ Download the 13ICG Promotional Resources
And don't forget to tag IGS and 13ICG in your posts so the wider geosynthetics community can follow your journey to Montréal.
If this is your first 13ICG, here are a few suggestions from the IGS team:
โ Introduce yourself to someone new every day.
โ Attend the social and networking events.
โ Don't be afraid to ask questions.
โ Visit the exhibition more than once.
โ Connect with new contacts on LinkedIn.
โ Speak with presenters after their sessions.
โ Leave some free time in your schedule for unexpected conversations.
โ Visit the IGS stand and introduce yourself.
Remember, every experienced delegate attended their first international conference once.
With professionals traveling to Montréal from around the world, 13ICG provides an exceptional opportunity to expand your international network within the geosynthetics community.
Before leaving home, make sure you've:
With just a few weeks to go, now is the time to explore the program, plan your schedule, and start thinking about the people you'd like to meet in Montréal.
Whether you're attending to learn, network, present your work, discover the latest innovations, or reconnect with colleagues from around the world, we encourage you to make the most of every opportunity 13ICG has to offer.
You may arrive as a first-time delegate, but you'll leave as part of a truly global geosynthetics community.
We look forward to welcoming you to Montréal this September!
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