Most visitors, exhibitors and sponsors were happy with the event, and the conference sessions were of a very high standard with very strong attendance. The Italian STT did particularly well in attracting interest and sponsorship from the North African nations, helping to spread the Trenchless Technology message to these countries. The social program was also very good, capturing the special atmosphere that only Rome could offer...but the entire event was organised in a manner that only the Italians could organise!

The Rome No-Dig saw the changing of the guard within the Executive of the ISTT. The new Chairman of ISTT is Dr Dec Downey, and he is joined on the Executive Subcommittee by new members Olga Marynyuk from the Ukrainian STT, Karel Franczyk from the Czech STT and Norm Howell from the UKSTT. Ted Flaxman, the long serving Chairman Emeritus and the ISTT’s inaugural Chairman was farewelled in Rome, as was Ray Sterling, the Immediate Past Chairman during my reign as Chairman of ISTT. The new Deputy Chairman is Sam Ariaratnam from the NASTT, with Taigo Matsui from JSTT and Derek Choi from the HKSTT continuing as committee members.

The Strategic Planning for the ISTT conducted during 2007 has indicated some significant changes for the Society. With John Castle retiring during 2008, the search has commenced for a new Executive Director, with the net being cast far and wide. The new ED will oversee some major transitions as the ISTT moves towards a management approach, befitting an internationally representative body in the 21st Century. The position of Technical Secretary will be replaced by a Technical Panel of international experts who will provide current and topical papers and information from the ISTT. A fresh approach will be taken to the manner in which the ISTT communicates with its members, affiliated societies and the worldwide trenchless community and a number of the key activities of the ISTT will be conducted in a more effective manner to optimise the use of very scarce resources. The year 2008 will signal an exciting period of change for the ISTT.

The first regional event supported by the ISTT in 2008 is the 1st No-Dig Latin America to be held in Sao Paulo, Brazil from 13-15 February 2008. Planning has been all but finalised for the 26th International No-Dig Moscow to be held from 3-5 June 2008. The NASTT will host the 27th International No-Dig in Toronto, Canada from 29 March - 3 April 2009. Some serious planning is underway to determine if the 2010 No-Dig could be conducted in Singapore, a country which undertakes significant trenchless works but does not have an affiliated society. The ISTT believes such an event would help promote Trenchless Technology in this region.

Menno Henneveld

Chairman ASTT

IP Chairman ISTT