AASHTO Journal - Seventh AASHTO Re:source Technical Exchange Sees Growth

Almost 250 people attended the 7th annual AASHTO re:source Technical Exchange or “TechEx” at The Royal Sonesta in Boston in mid-March.

[Above photo by AASHTO]

AASHTO re:source is a technical service program offered by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials that provides services and tools through three major programs: the Laboratory Assessment Program, the Proficiency Sample Program, and the AASHTO Accreditation Program.

Through these activities, sharing knowledge, and training events, AASHTO re:source evaluates testing competency, promotes continual improvement, and instills confidence in the laboratories and specifiers that use its programs.

The annual TechEx meeting began in 2017 as a way to connect those within the construction materials testing industry and to share knowledge and best practices. Since then, the conference has grown but the mission has remained the same.

A diverse mix of over 30 interactive sessions, presentations, workshops, and panels were offered during the four-day TechEx event, including Corrective Action, Project Management, Train the Trainer, Concrete Placement, Balanced Mix Design, Equipment Maintenance, and many more.

And as the attendance of the conference grows, so does the support from industry partners. This year’s event had a record number of sponsors and exhibitors, allowing attendees to make more industry connections and gain insights that provide real-world applications.

Bob Lutz, AASHTO re:source director, described the annual TechEx event as the “cornerstone” of the organization’s commitment to “spearheading” a quality revolution in the construction materials testing and inspection industry.

“TechEx is more than just a conference; it’s a collaborative platform where industry professionals come together to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and drive continual improvement across the sector,” he added.

Jennifer Hall, deputy director and chief of staff for AASHTO, noted during a speech at the 2024 TechEx conference that there is a “role you can play” in helping lead a “total quality management revolution” within the construction materials testing and inspection industry.

For the “power of collaboration” lies in its ability to harness diverse perspectives, expertise, and resources to achieve goals that might otherwise be unattainable by individuals or organizations working alone, she noted.

“Take what you learn here at TechEx and spread the word,” Hall said. “Quality shouldn’t just be a conversation one week in March. We need to be having these conversations, sharing our practices, year round.”

The 2025 AASHTO re:source Technical Exchange will be held March 17-20 in Bellevue, WA. To learn more about the 2025 TechEx conference, click here.