About
Smart Rivers History
Smart Rivers began with a need to provide a venue to share best practices and innovative technologies among inland waterways navigation practitioners and researchers. The international, PIANC-sponsored conference was first held in 2007 in Louisville, KY, USA. The international conference continues to convene practitioners and researchers to address all aspects of inland waterway transportation, including fostering industry innovations, advancing design principles, promoting safety, enhancing the environment, and supporting the economies and communities that utilize and rely upon inland systems.
Smart Rivers 2025 will continue this great tradition by bringing together industry leaders from around the world in cutting-edge technical and plenary sessions, keynote events, workshops, and technical tours.
Conference Host | PIANC USA
PIANC USA is proud to host Smart Rivers on behalf of the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure (PIANC).
PIANC is a worldwide non-political and non-profit organization established in 1885 in Brussels, Belgium that convenes international experts to deliver technical reports on all aspects of sustainable waterborne transportation infrastructure. PIANC USA is one of 43 Qualifying National Sections.
History
PIANC USA was organized as a national section of PIANC in 1902 with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) serving as the Secretariat. Membership is comprised of engineers, scientists, economists, planners, dredgers, port operators, regulators, and marina and vessel owners. PIANC USA members work together with participating members from over 75 countries to address a broad range of policy, engineering, and environmental issues for the advancement of waterborne transportation.
Membership
PIANC USA provides opportunities for its members to connect with a domestic and international community of technical professionals through participation in commissions, working groups, and PIANC events such as Smart Rivers. In addition, members can download PIANC’s extensive library of technical reports for free, access PIANC’s international member directory, receive awards and recognition for their work on a global stage, and more.
Interested in becoming a PIANC member… and saving on Smart Rivers 2025 conference registration in the process?
Local Host | Memphis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Smart Rivers 2025 is being strategically planned in the heart of the Mississippi River system where our local host, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District, is located.
The Memphis District boundary includes portions of six states: Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, and Kentucky. Within this area are 600 miles (960 km) of navigation channels, 1000+ miles (1600+ km) of federal levees, and 10 inland ports and harbors. The Memphis District serves as the Lower Mississippi Channel Improvement lead for USACE and partners with federal, state, and local governments; 92 levee, drainage, irrigation districts; and myriad non-governmental organizations. Its main mission areas are Navigation, Flood Risk Mitigation, Environmental Sustainability, Ecosystem Restoration, and Emergency Response.
Local Host | Memphis River Parks Partnership
Memphis River Parks Partnership is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public-private partnership that works with and for the people of Memphis to trigger the transformative power of their river. The Partnership manages five park districts along six miles (10 km) and has raised $80 million for public parks and assets along the Memphis riverfront over the past seven years. The Partnership works to create a welcoming, beautiful and safe riverfront for all.
Host Port | Port of Memphis
The Port of Memphis, located on the Mississippi River, is one of the largest inland ports in the United States. It serves as a crucial hub for commerce, handling over 12 million tons of cargo annually, including agricultural products, petroleum, and industrial goods. Its strategic location provides access to over 25,000 miles (40,233 km) of inland waterways, connecting it to key U.S. cities and international marketplaces. Its advanced facilities support a range of transportation modes, including barge, rail, and truck, making it a key player in the U.S. supply chain. As the host port for Smart Rivers 2025, Memphis demonstrates the significance of inland ports in enabling trade, improving economic development, and strengthening sustainable transport solutions.