Technical Program and Keynote Speakers
Keynote Speakers
Keynote Speaker I - David Millar
Chief Executive Officer
Concrete Institute of Australia
David Millar is the Chief Executive Officer of the Concrete Institute of Australia.
He is a civil engineering graduate from the University of Sydney, and began his career
in the concrete aggregates industry, before expanding into precast concrete, construction
chemicals, and concrete materials. With a great appreciation of what industry and professional
associations can provide to the concrete industry, David has been, and is still, an active
member on a number of concrete related committees as a volunteer. He was also the Executive
Director of the Concrete Pipe Association of Australasia from 2005 to 2013 before commencing
his current role with the Concrete Institute of Australia in 2014.
In his time as CEO with the CIA, David has convened 5 major conferences for the Institute,
been at the forefront of the transition to online education products, introduced focus groups
related to NEXGen, and overseen significant growth in membership, particularly with Young
Professionals. He has had numerous positions on Standards and technical committees and
currently is the CIA representative on BD10 Portland and Blended Cements, as well as being
an elected member of the Standards Australia Membership Committee. David is also a Graduate
of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a member of the Australasian Society
for Association Executives.
Through his 30 years experience in the construction industry. he understands the importance
this most traditional, but ever evolving, material has on society and the environment.
Title: Strength in Connection: How Professional Associations Drive Innovation in an Era of Integrated Technology
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Abstract:
This keynote examines the vital role professional associations play in guiding the structural
engineering and construction sectors through rapid technological change. Digital engineering,
artificial intelligence, automation, and advanced sustainable materials are reshaping practice—but
tools alone do not guarantee progress. Associations supply the necessary “human infrastructure”
by building trust, fostering professional development, creating spaces for collaboration, and
ensuring technology serves both the profession and the community. They convene stakeholders,
translate research into practice, set standards, accredit and upskill the workforce, and safeguard
the public interest.
Drawing on case studies from the Concrete Institute of Australia and other leading organisations,
the talk demonstrates how associations bridge research and practice, prepare the workforce for
disruption, and advance sustainability. It closes with a practical call to action: engage with
your professional body, share knowledge, and lead collectively so that technology strengthens
the profession and benefits society.
Keynote Speaker II - Dr. Takashi Yamane
President
Kyokuto Kowa Corporation
Dr. Takashi Yamane is the President of Kyokuto-Kowa Corporation, a Japanese company
specializing in the construction of prestressed concrete bridges. He graduated from Kure
National College of Technology and joined Kyokuto-Kougyo Corporation, which is now
called Kyokuto-Kowa Corporation, in 1980. Dr. Yamane earned a master’s degree in civil
engineering from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 1995. His work experience includes
the design and construction of various types of prestressed concrete bridges, such as box
girder bridges using balanced cantilever construction, cast-in-place hollow slab bridges using
span-by-span construction and composite I-section girder bridges. Dr. Yamane led the
engineering and sales departments of the company before becoming president. He was a
member of the Japan Prestressed Concrete Contractors Association and chaired the committee
on design guidelines for precast/prestressed concrete splice-girder bridges. He has published
numerous technical papers and holds several patents in the field of bridge engineering.
Title: Construction of Sustainable Concrete Structures Using FRP as Reinforcement and Prestressing Tendons
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
