Momentum Issue #139:

We are mere weeks away from the 2024 ITS America Conference & Expo in Phoenix, Arizona. This is the place to be to learn, network, share, and re-commit ourselves to moving our industry forward. Updates about offerings and events during the conference will be coming fast and furious in the coming weeks but here is all the information you need to know as of today. 

Maybe most importantly, for those who thought they missed the early bird registration, we have good news! The early bird registration rate has been extended until February 24^th at 11:59pm. Don’t delay get registered today to take advantage of these savings! 

We start our conversation with our Wednesday plenary session, “Rethinking Infrastructure in the New Digital Era”.  The US transportation system is in the midst of an urgently needed transformation, moving to embrace a digital layer of sensors, data, software, and connected systems. Industry leaders recognize that the future of transportation requires a more balanced approach to supporting infrastructure, merging physical assets with digital layers for a unified solution to deliver better outcomes in safety, sustainability, equity and efficiency. We will hear from speakers such as ITS America Chair, Joanna M Pinkerton, and other high level industry, governmental, and local leaders on digital growth.  The plenary will also include a fireside chat between Brian Cronin, Director of the ITS Joint Program Office at U.S. DOT and Laura Chace focused on how we build and balance our growth in digital infrastructure to deliver unified solutions to tomorrow’s problems.

On Thursday, the attention of the plenary session will turn to artificial intelligence. “Unlocking the Next Frontier in Transportation” will bring together numerous AI leaders to discuss how AI is poised to become a critical enabler of many of the shared goals within the transportation sector. Speakers will discuss how AI can reduce the amount and severity of the more than 43,000 fatalities that happen on American roads annually. During the plenary, Laura Chace will host a fireside chat with Dr. Robert Hampshire, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology at the U.S. DOT and Veronica Vanterpool, Deputy Administrator at the FTA in a conversation you won’t want to miss! Kicking off our AI plenary we will hear a keynote remark from AWS, Shaown Nandi, Director, Technology, AWS Industries and Strategic Accounts. 

There are still numerous ways for you to get involved in Phoenix. If you are registering, our hotel block is currently available through ITSAmericaEvents.com. We are still accepting submissions for demonstrations at the Conference & Expo, if you would like to offer live demonstrations to the largest gathering of decision-makers and influencers in North America, contact us before March 1.  Via the site you can also find sponsorship opportunities, reserve your exhibit floor space, and peruse the entire conference schedule. 

There will also be plenty of opportunities for networking across the three days of the Conference and Expo, tabletop networking will occur at 3pm on Tuesday and Wednesday and at 1pm on Thursday, full details are available on the conference website. There will also be the chance to mingle with others at the Exhibit Hall Welcome Reception and on Wednesday at the Duce where we will gather for the ITS World Congress 2025 Celebration. 

While building your schedule for Phoenix this is just the tip of the iceberg, you will want to make sure you check each day of the schedule to ensure you get the most from all the sessions, exhibits, and events while making sure you set aside time to participate in the Tech Tours and other returning events such as the Gender Equity Workshop! 
 
So don’t delay, reserve your room in the ITS America block before it sells out!