ALDOT Spring Design Conference 2026

Embassy Suites

Embassy Suites by Hilton Gulf Shores Beach Resort
April 28th - 30th, 2026, Gulf Shores, AL

The Alabama Department of Transportation Spring Design Conference is an assembly that gives Design Leadership around the state the opportunity to come together and share innovative strategies and best practices. The conference also serves to provide information regarding new resources and guidance available from the Design Bureau and other supporting Bureaus. This conference serves as a great vehicle for knowledge transfer and networking not only for design staff but also for vendors and consultants that provide products and services to support the design of Alabama's highway system.

Dates to Remember

2/9 Hotel Reservations Open
2/9 Conference Registration Begins
3/28 Hotel Room Discounted Conference Rate Deadline (Rooms will be available at full price after this deadline)
4/10 Sponsorship Registration Deadline
4/11 All Attendee Registration Closes

Registration

ALDOT Government Attendees

ALDOT Employee Registration

Consultant/Industry Attendee and Sponsorships

Consultant, Vendor, and Sponsor Registration

Sponsorship Information

Sponsorship Level	Minimum Pledge	Signage Logo	Website Logo	Slide Show Logo	Polo Shirt	Complimentary Registrations
Tier I	$5000	Yes (full sign)	Yes (top rows)	Yes (full slide)	2	2
Tier II	$2500	Yes (shared sign)	Yes	Yes (1/2 slide)	2	0
Tier III	$1000	Yes (name only)	Yes	Yes (1/4 slide)	0	0

Consultant, Vendor, and Sponsor Registration

If you have sponsorship questions please contact Assistant Bureau Chief - Traffic Engineer Paul Carter (carterp@dot.state.al.us) with the ALDOT Design Bureau.

Hotel Reservations

About the Event Center

Our hotel has over 20,000 sq. ft. of flexible indoor and outdoor space. We have various room breakout options and a boardroom for smaller meetings. Enjoy A/V features, natural lighting, and on-site catering.

About the Hotel

Located just steps from Gulf Shores Beach, we offer on-site dining, a heated outdoor pool with beach views, and versatile meeting space. The Hangout, The Track Family Fun Park, and Waterville USA are just minutes away. The Wharf and Flora-Bama are within 20 minutes, and Gulf Shores International Airport and Adventure Island are within 10 minutes.

Conference Attendees

Each participant will be responsible for making their own room reservations at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Gulf Shores Beach Resort and can do so by using the Reservations link below. A limited number of rooms will be available at the conference's rate until Saturday March 28, 2026.

Government Attendees

A reduced government rate of $163.00 per night (plus fees and tax) for standard room accommodations has been secured for government attendees. Please select only the nights you will need.

(ROOM BLOCK RATE IS FULL)

ALDOT Employee ONLY

Additional Room Options for Government Attendees:

Comfort Inn & Suites Gulf Shores East Beach - (251) 207-4009 - Seasonal Rate (plus tax and fees)

Best Western on the Beach - (251) 948-2711 3 Star - Seasonal Rate (plus tax and fees)

Hilton Garden Inn On the Beach – (251) 974-1600 - Seasonal Rate (plus tax and fees)

The Lodge at Gulf State Park a Hilton Hotel - (251) 540-4000 - Seasonal Rate (plus tax and fees)

Fairfield by Marriott Inn Suites Orange Beach – (251) 543-4444 - Seasonal Rate (plus tax and fees)

Best Western Premier- The Tides – (251) 981-9888 - Seasonal Rate (plus tax and fees)

Hotel Indigo Gulf Shores by IHG – (251) 981-1737 - Seasonal Rate (plus tax and fees)

Hampton Inn Gulf Shores – (251) 948-1020 - Seasonal Rate (plus tax and fees)

Hampton Inn & Suites Orange Beach/Gulf Front – (251) 923-4400 - Seasonal Rate (plus tax and fees)

Consultant/Industry Attendees

A reduced rate of $269.00 per night (plus fees and tax) for standard room accommodations has been secured for Consultant and Industry.

Consultants, Sponsors, and Vendors

Professional Development

Download Professional Development Link TBD

Agenda

ALDOT Spring Design Conference 2026

April 28 — 30, 2026

Embassy Suites by Hilton Gulf Shores Beach Resort

Gulf Shores, Alabama

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

3:30pm - 7:30pm: Registration

6:00pm - 7:00pm: Icebreaker Reception

7:00pm - 9:00pm: Dinner

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

7:00am - 12:00pm: Registration

7:00am - 9:00am: Breakfast

OPENING SESSION - Matt Leverette, P.E.

9:00am - 9:30am: Opening Remarks

- Ed Austin
- Mark Bartlett
- John Cooper

9:30am - 10:15am: Shifting Gears: Prioritzing Mental Health in Transportation

- Karen Philbrick, Mineta Transportation Institute

10:15am - 10:30am:

- Mini Break

SESSION II - Ramy Abdalla, P.E.

10:30am - 11:00am: MUTCD

- Jason Daniels

11:00am - 11:30am: Rail Update

- James Schonk, STV, Inc.

11:30am - 12:00pm: HSIP Funding Coverage

- John-Michael Walker, P.E., ALDOT Safety

12:00pm - 1:15pm: Lunch

SESSION III - Sean Frank, P.E.

1:15pm - 2:00pm: WAH Roundtable

- Stanley C. Biddick and Friends (Nick Walker, Adam Holder, Lindy Sorrell, Kaye Davis, Martin Clark, Adam Anderson)

2:00pm - 2:30pm: GDCP Bridge and M&T

- Kaye Davis, P.E., ALDOT M&T

2:30pm - 3:00pm: Open Roads Update

- Sanders Thomas, Bentley Systems

3:00pm - 3:30pm: Break

SESSION IV - Freddy Naranjo, P.E.

3:30pm - 4:00pm: Plan Issues

- Paul Beaird, ALDOT QC

4:00pm - 4:30pm: How ALDOT is Using Bluebeam in Roadway Design and Quality Control

- Latasha Merchant, ALDOT Roadway Design
- Amber Seymore, ALDOT QC

4:30pm - 5:00pm: Plans Preparation Manual

- Lance Day, ALDOT Roadway Design

5:00pm - 5:45pm: Free Time

5:30pm - 9:30pm: Wednesday Night Dinner Event

6:30pm - 9:30pm: Dinner ( Low Country Boil)

Thursday, April 30, 2026

7:00am - 8:30am: Breakfast

SESSION V - Natasha Clay

8:30am - 9:00am: USFW Update

- Emily Duke, ALDOT ETS

9:00am - 9:30am: ADEM CGP

- Richard Klinger, ALDOT Construction Bureau

9:30am - 10:00am: COE Permitting

- Brian Moats, ALDOT ETS

10:00am - 10:30am: Break

SESSION VI - Akhter Hossain, PhD, P.E.

10:30am - 11:00am: Joys of 3D scanning

- Zach Grayson

11:00am - 11:30am: Waterway Construction

- Vince Beebe

11:30am - 12:00pm: Access Management / TISMO

- Jermey Borden

12:00pm: Conference Ends

If you have registration questions please contact continuinged@troy.edu or 334-983-0005.

If you have conference questions please contact Assistant Bureau Chief - Traffic Engineer Paul Carter (carterp@dot.state.al.us) with the ALDOT Design Bureau.