IBTTA’s Summit of the Americas: A Window on a Booming Mexican Market
Dan Toohey of Kapsch TrafficCom North America and Rick Nelson of the Texas Department of Transportation are co-Chief Meeting Organizers for IBTTA’s 2016 Summit of the Americas, October 16-18, 2016 in Mexico City. In this interview with Tolling Points, they talk about Mexico’s importance as a gateway for trade, transportation, and innovation across the Americas.
Why was 2016 precisely the right year for IBTTA to hold its first major event in Mexico?
DT: Mexico has a large tolling market, and one that has been underserved by the global tolling industry. The North American toll market—including Mexico, the United States, and Canada—is very strong, active, and in growth mode. This IBTTA Summit will introduce the Mexican and Latin America toll markets to the global industry, allowing us to showcase emerging opportunities and share valuable information on how to successfully do business in Mexico.
RN: Mexico is the gateway for much of the trade between North America and South America. Mexico and U.S. trading partners are adopting technologies for the movement of freight at an ever-increasing rate. Tolling, freight security technologies, and other trade issues are on the table for discussion and coordination.
And the opening of the Panama Canal expansion project on June 26, 2016 is expected to have a significant impact on the volume of freight passing through Mexico. The expansion is also called the Third Set of Locks Project, and it means the canal can now accommodate New Panamax ships that carry more than twice as much cargo as a regular freighter.
What can participants from outside Mexico learn from attending this conference?
RN: The conference is the first of its kind to bring key stakeholders from Mexican governments and the private sector together in a single venue. Participants from outside the country will gain an understanding of the systems, technologies, and business practices that are expanding Mexico’s presence in the global market. U.S., South American, and global trading partners will get a clear view of how they can best fit into a dynamic, growing trade environment.
DT: This conference has been structured to be equally valuable for participants from Mexico and other jurisdictions. Visitors from outside the country will have a chance to meet some of the key Mexican government officials associated with the tolling industry, as well as a number of representatives from all the major concessionaires with active tolling projects in Mexico. That means the decision-makers on the policy side and on specific, hands-on projects are all together at this conference.
How can concessionaires and other stakeholders in Mexico advance their industry by connecting more closely with IBTTA?
DT: IBTTA is all about sharing information: the good and the bad, the projects that worked and the experiments we can all learn from. It’s a truly global organization that brings together tolling agencies, government officials, consultants, suppliers, system integrators, and operators from all over the world. This kind of conference is the best forum to share ideas and meet the people who can help you make your organization better.
RN: IBTTA has advanced this summit in Mexico to provide an open venue for Mexico to discuss issues and opportunities for concessionaries and other stakeholders with industry experts from around the world.
Business networking is one of the main purposes of every IBTTA event. Given all the ‘firsts’ at this summit, is it even more important?
RN: The government officials and industry experts attending this event makes it a premiere opportunity for business networking. It could take years to gain the same access to so many important government and industry leaders.
DT: Given that this Summit is IBTTA’s first major event in Mexico, I expect the networking opportunities will be one of the primary benefits of attending. We expect a good mix of representatives of the Mexican toll industry, and from the rest of the world. It’ll be an excellent opportunity to meet new people within our industry, communicate our experiences, and share new ideas.
Is there anything you’d like to add?
DT: This Summit has an exciting and informative program! It was put together by a diverse group of tolling professionals, all volunteers from within and outside of Mexico, who have spent countless hours ensuring that every participant will have a positive, satisfying time in Mexico City next month.
RN: Border crossing, interoperability, technology, and security are issues many of us are wrestling with in our industry. Here’s a chance to get first-hand experience with the challenges involved and some of the emerging solutions. The Summit will be an opportunity to learn from real-world examples and find out how other industry leaders are dealing with these issues.
Please check out the program and register today for IBTTA’s Summit of the Americas, October 16-18 in Mexico City.