Naples was the third Italian city ever chosen for the World Tunnel Congress, Florence hosted the event in 1986 and Milan in 2001. Returning to the same country is quite rare for such a world congress. The bid to host the congress in Naples was jointly managed from the beginning by SIG and AIM Group International. The proposal to establish a strong connection with the destination and build around it a personalised, innovative, scientific congress programme was one of the key differentiators of the Naples bid which enabled the organisers to add value to the congress’ history.

A particular “cultural mixture” was one of the event’s stand out features. Engineering-related topics were combined with typical elements of Italian culture, such as Archaeology, Architecture and Art, which are themes very evident in Naples. This allowed us to create a unique blend from the technical world of engineers and geotechnics with other disciplines, as exemplified in the congress title: Tunnels and Underground Cities: Engineering and Innovation meet Archeology, Architecture and Art.

A smart approach that enabled AIM Group International, as appointed Professional Congress Organiser, to manage a complex event. The team made it possible that the social programme had engaging, scientific sessions coupled with exclusive experiences in unique locations.

The World Tunnel Congress had some signature features:

• The innovative programme. This edition programme was unprecedented as it highlighted the multiple connections among the tunneling world and other disciplines considered so far unrelated, particularly with the inclusion of the Triple A sessions – Archaeology, Architecture and Art. The scientific agenda was very rich: 750 papers were received and about 180 oral presentations were presented during the week. The e-poster digital area and a dedicated app allowed delegates find and read content as well as arrange appointments with the authors.

• Off-site Events and Technical Visits. Delegates have been involved in a series of off-site events and technical visits to some of the local significant tunnel projects: the Greek-Roman tunnelling system, the underneath itinerary of the just-restored Galleria Borbonica and the award-winning Metro station in Naples, which combines art, architecture and tunnel engineering. Furthermore, it provided an opportunity to visit other interesting Italian projects such as Rome’s Metro construction site, the high-speed railway Naples-Bari and even the Brenner Base Tunnel, the longest underground railway tunnel in the world!

• Outstanding social moments with a truly local taste. Some working lunches were organised at the remarkable archaeological Pausilypon site of Seiano Caves; the Gala Dinner was hosted at the Pietrarsa Railway Museum, with delegates reaching it on an historical train; a special concert was organised at the prestigious San Carlo Theatre; a cocktail party dedicated to young under-35 members was organised on board of an historic galleon at Mergellina harbour. These were just a few of the unique and immersive experiences delegates could live!

• Local community partners. WTC chose to support the local not-for-profit Arché Foundation and specifically supported its project of building a community house to host mothers in need with their children. Like tunnels, Archè projects help people to overcome difficult times and find an easier path for their lives. Furthermore, WTC participated in a Food for Good Program and donated all the excess food to local charity organisations.