Top Ten Reasons to Attend IBTTA’s 2016 Annual Meeting in Denver

Co-Chief Meeting Organizer Frank McCartney wasn’t kidding a couple of weeks ago when he exclaimed that “this annual meeting is content-rich!” IBTTA’s 84^th Annual Meeting and Exhibition, September 11-14 in Denver, will be a non-stop flurry of knowledge, information, insight, and networking. Here are the top 10 features you won’t want to miss.

1. Colorado has it all, from all-electronic tolling to managed lanes, from bus rapid transit and light rail to a host of multi-modal methods. The Annual Meeting features a deep dive into the innovation and excitement of a state transportation system on the move, with presentations from the E-470 Public Highway Authority, Northwest Parkway LLC, the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, and the city’s Regional Transportation District.

2. Graduates from IBTTA’s Leadership Academy will be back with their latest take on the future of the tolling industry. This year, they’re looking at the development of productive partnerships that will catapult tolling to the next level.

3. Tolling interoperability is sweeping the globe, and IBTTA members are at the forefront in introducing the technologies and back office rules to make it a reality. You’ll hear from colleagues from the United States, South Africa, and Ireland with updates on some of the most ambitious interoperability initiatives anywhere.

4. Tolling agencies are already embracing Big Data as a tool to better understand customers and predict their behavior and expectations. At this Annual Meeting, you’ll hear success stories from organizations that are using data-driven insights to target their activities, make operations more efficient and effective and provide better customer service.

5. On the other hand, if data security isn’t near the top of your list of priority issues, it will be after you’ve attended the Annual Meeting. We’ll take a serious, methodical look at the steps tolling agencies must take to protect their IT systems, and to recover from incidents when they happen. (Hint: If you think your data could never be hacked, think again.)

6. From smart cities and multi-modal corridors, to payment apps and autonomous vehicles, technology is disrupting every aspect of the transportation system. The Annual Meeting is your chance to learn about the latest challenges your colleagues are dealing with and share your own.

7. Although the United States Congress passed a multi-year highway funding bill last year, legislators are still grappling with the twin challenges of declining gas tax revenues and a serious funding deficit for highway infrastructure. With new, technology-driven funding models on the horizon, here’s your opportunity to look at what’s ahead and how tolling and other forms of user financing fit the bigger picture.

8. Project financing is an all-important issue for tolling agencies, and IBTTA’s Annual Meeting is the right place to learn about the latest tools and techniques. This year’s program includes a focus on the credit implications of project finance, the impact of variable pricing on revenue forecasts, and the optimal structuring for public-private partnerships.

9. Tolling and tourism have a shared interest in giving customers a positive, seamless experience—including customers who rent vehicles when they travel. A breakout session during the Annual Meeting will look at opportunities for tolling agencies and rental car companies to deliver toll awareness to out-of-state customers.
   
   Content marketing and digital media are great tools for building relationships with your customers and earning their trust. You’ll learn about methods your colleagues are using to keep faith with their communities and maintain a positive public profile.

Register today to attend IBTTA’s 84^th Annual Meeting and Exhibition, September 11-14, 2016 in Denver.