AASHTO Journal - Success of Virtual ‘TechEx’ Complements In-Person Meeting

The AASHTO re:source Virtual Technical Exchange or TechEx, held November 5-6 via Zoom, drew approximately 140 attendees from both the state department of transportation community and private-sector laboratories; successfully complementing the organization’s annual in-person TechEx meeting, held every spring.

[Above image by AASHTO]

The Virtual TechEx agenda covered quality in the construction materials testing and inspection industry and provided up to eight Professional Development Hours, with session recordings available to registered attendees through January 21, 2026.

The first day of Virtual TechEx sessions were technician focused covered testing and calibration activities for aggregate, concrete, and asphalt mixture materials – with session moderators featuring both staff and external presenters.

The second day of Virtual TechEx included panels and presentations focused on laboratory practices and quality management from a manager’s perspective. The closing “Ask Us Anything” panel provided direct interaction with AASHTO re:source staff.

Employees from 12 state DOTs participated in this inaugural Virtual TechEx, AASHTO re:source noted, with the largest groups from California (25), Hawaii (12), Maine (10), Idaho (8), and Georgia (6). Attendees represented a cross-section of technical and managerial roles, the organization noted.

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

He noted that the 2026 AASHTO re:source TechEx in-person meeting will be held March 9-12 in Louisville, KY, with online registration slated to open soon.

“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 construction materials industry,” he explained. “It’s how we keep enhancing the quality of the construction materials the transportation industry uses every day.”