AASHTO Journal - Agenda Detailed for AASHTO 2023 Annual Meeting

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials announced exciting details about the 2023 Annual Meeting in Indianapolis on November 13-16, unveiling the keynote speaker and four knowledge sessions designed to delve into crucial industry subjects.

[Above image by AASHTO]

AASHTO’s Annual Meeting brings together experts from the public and private sector to share the latest in industry policy and innovation. Meeting attendees receive the opportunity to network with fellow transportation professionals and discuss a wide range of issues facing the industry today and tomorrow.

The keynote speaker will be Eric Bailey, president of Bailey Strategic Innovation Group – one of the fastest-growing human communication consulting firms in the United States – and the bestselling author of “The Cure for Stupidity: Using Brain Science to Explain Irrational Behavior.”

Bailey plans to speak about how a safe, well-functioning, and resilient transportation system is the foundation of a strong economy and quality of life benefits such as access to employment, education, recreational, and health services opportunities.

He’ll also delve into why the traveling public only tends to notice the transportation system when it is not functioning as usual – and with a highly negative association in that situation. Bailey said looking at the “brain science” to help transportation leaders better convey tangible benefits of the transportation system to its end users, rather than dwelling on its shortcomings, could ultimately translate into stronger public support for improved safety, mobility, and accessibility for everyone.

AASHTO has also outlined the four knowledge sessions scheduled for its 2023 Annual Meeting. These sessions will tackle critical issues concerning state DOTs both today and in the future.

What’s not to Love? Recruiting a Passionate State DOT Workforce – This panel discussion will explore effective strategies for engaging and appealing to those starting careers in transportation to ensure state DOTs and others throughout the mobility ecosystem enjoy a robust workforce for years to come.
Stop, Look, Listen: Engaging Communities to Put Equity into Action – Sponsored by AECOM, panelists in this session will share innovative tools, practices, and processes for engaging with underserved communities; helping better understand their values, needs, and priorities. This session will also explore applying this knowledge early in the transportation planning process to inform decision-making, especially regarding equitable allocation of resources.
Asset Management and AI: Harnessing Intelligent Technologies for Optimal Decision Making – Sponsored by EXP, this session will explore the tools transportation agencies are deploying for the collection, storage, and analysis of data for asset management. That includes the leveraging of Artificial Intelligence tools, as well as a peek into what the future holds in the asset management space.
Telling the Story of IIJA’s Impact on Communities – Sponsored by WSP, this session examines the progress made at the halfway point of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or IIJA implementation. This session will highlight the progress and improvements to the country’s transportation network at the “halfway mark” of IIJA implementation, as well as how state DOTs are effectively communicating the benefits of those IIJA-funded projects to the public.

The AASHTO 2023 Annual Meeting also features programming on a variety of other topics and will announce the two top winners of the 2023 America’s Transportation Awards competition.

[Editor’s note: The video below highlights the winners of the 2022 America’s Transportation Award contest.]

AASHTO will also hand out its 2023 President’s Transportation Awards program during the 2023 Annual Meeting. Those awards honor individuals or teams at state departments of transportation that have performed exemplary service during the year, furthering the transportation activities of member departments and the work that has made their communities better.

[To view a story about the President’s Transportation Awards 2022 winners, as well as the recipients of other AASHTO leadership awards, click here.]

In addition to those sessions, the AASHTO Board of Directors will meet to discuss the association’s 2024 priorities at the Annual Meeting as well as elect new leadership. Between sessions, attendees can explore the meeting’s Expo Hall, which exhibits a wide range of products and services from a variety of vendors that specialize in supporting the critical work of state DOTs.

AASHTO will also continue hosting “rapid fire” information sessions during the Expo Hall – interactive sessions that jump into meeting content and challenge participants to think differently – as well as a “collaborative workspace” that offers comfortable seats to foster networking with fellow attendees.

To register for AASHTO’s 2023 Annual Meeting, click here.