This month we will be having the ITE Annual Meeting and Exhibition jointly with the Western District in Portland, OR, USA, August 13-16. This year’s theme is Connecting People and Communities. Transportation professionals play an important role in creating a transportation network that connects people to their communities and provides quality and safe options for all users to access economic and social opportunities, essential services, and recreational facilities for health benefits. ITE, as a Community of Transportation Professionals, can help provide those options in a meaningful way through thoughtful context sensitive planning and designs, establishing partnerships, and—most importantly—engaging the communities we serve. Throughout the Annual Meeting, attendees will have the opportunity to learn how transportation professionals are working together to provide better solutions for all. Key advantages of attending and participating in the Annual Meeting are:
Education and Professional Growth: The ITE Annual Meeting will feature expert speakers, panel discussions, and sessions covering the latest trends and developments in the transportation industry where attendees can enhance their knowledge by learning practical tips, strategies, and solutions that can be applied to their own work or projects. There are eight workshops covering a range of topics, from Safe Systems to Electrification to Inclusion, and seven technical tours showcasing different transportation projects and facilities (biking, transit, bridges, airport) in the Portland area. Attendees can earn up to 14 PDHs and 13 CM credits.
Industry Trends/Exhibit Hall: The Exhibit Hall provides an opportunity to explore new products, services, and technologies in the transportation industry. A younger member at the ITE Mountain District Meeting indicated how he learned about a new product he wouldn’t have known about without attending the conference and talking to one of the exhibitors. Visiting the Exhibit Hall can expose you to new products and solutions for your next project.
Networking/Collaboration: The ITE Annual Meeting provides attendees with an excellent opportunity to connect with other transportation professionals in your field. You can expand your network, make new contacts, and establish valuable relationships that can lead to potential collaborations, job opportunities, and mentorship.
Learning Outside the Sessions/Plenaries: The Annual Meeting offers informal settings for networking, such as coffee breaks, lunches, or social events where attendees can engage in conversations, sharing experiences and ideas that can be a rich source of learning and inspiration.
Change of Pace: The Annual Meeting provides a change of environment and an opportunity for inspiration, energy, and rejuvenation. Meeting new people, engaging in stimulating discussions, and experiencing different perspectives can stimulate your passion for your work and the job we all do to create better and safer places in the communities we live in and serve.
I’m looking forward to seeing and networking with old friends and making new ones. To those who have attended Annual Meetings in the past, I encourage you to talk to and introduce yourself to our first-time attendees. To the first-time attendees, I encourage you to introduce yourself and participate in our events…before you know it, you will create relationships that will last a lifetime.