ITS Conference & Expo
June 9-12, 2026
Huntington Place, Detroit, Michigan

ITS AMERICA CONFERENCE & EXPO PREPARES NEXT GENERATION OF INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION PROFESSIONALS

Event Offers Robust Programming to Empower Students and Emerging Leaders in ITS

PHOENIX, AZ – ITS America Events proudly announced the return of the Future Leaders Program, in partnership with Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and ITS Arizona, for its upcoming conference in Phoenix, AZ in addition to launching the University Hub, other programs will be aimed at propelling careers for the next generation of intelligent transportation professionals.

“Our focus on students and emerging leaders in ITS is stronger than ever,” said Jaime McAuley, ITS America Conference & Expo event director at RX Global. “In addition to the esteemed Future Leaders Program Student Competition, we are thrilled to introduce more opportunities for future leaders to network with the ITS community while on-site at this year’s event.”

On Wednesday, April 24, ITS Conference & Expo will feature programming tailored for students and young professionals in ITS, including:

  • The Future Leaders Program Industry Expert Panel is an opportunity for ITS newcomers to hear from seasoned veterans on the industry and their experiences. Featured speakers include April Wire, P.E., PTOE - Assistant TSMO Division Manager, Maricopa County; Josh Johnson, Director R&D, Intelligent Systems Division, SwRI; Brent Cain, Division Director, Arizona Department of Transportation; and Yung Koprowski, CEO, Y2K Engineering, LLC.
  • The Future Leaders Program Student Competition offers up to six pre-selected students the chance to share a 15-minute presentation on ITS-related research, opportunities, or problems, as well as relevant planning and ideas for implementation.
  • The University Hub serves as a dedicated space for attendees and exhibitors to engage with universities, discover diverse programs, and connect with students. This space will gather participating students to establish the academic and professional connections crucial for success in the ITS industry. Participating universities include Arizona State University, North Arizona University, and The University of Arizona.
  • Future Leaders Passport Program provides students the opportunity to meet with technology and solution providers, while exploring new products and connecting with industry experts as they explore the Exhibit Hall. Participants can collect stamps from exhibitors on their “passport” for a chance to win prizes.

Laura Chace, President and CEO of ITS America, emphasized the importance of engaging with young minds to tackle the industry’s evolving challenges, “The intelligent transportation industry requires great minds to find innovative solutions, and we must engage with the next generation today to ensure the workforce of the future can help us towards a sustainable future. We are thrilled to bring together these students and young professionals in ITS for a day of learning, networking, and innovation.”

Registration is $25 for all students participating in the Future Leaders Program and includes access to the full education program, networking, refreshments, and lunch. To register, visit itsamericaevents2024.com/futureleaders.

 

ITS America Events
ITS America Events, managed by RX, encompassing ITS America Conference & Expo and ITS World Congress when in North America, brings together decision-makers and their supporting teams from public and private sector transportation agencies to learn about the implementation of new technologies, work together to advance mobility solutions that will enable a safer, greener, and smarter transportation system across the globe.

ITS America
The Intelligent Transportation Society of America advances the research and deployment of intelligent transportation technologies to save lives, improve mobility, promote sustainability, and increase efficiency and productivity. Our vision is a better future transformed by transportation technology and innovation: Safer, Greener, Smarter. For All. For more information, please visit www.itsa.org.

About RX
RX is a global leader in events and exhibitions, leveraging industry expertise, data, and technology to build businesses for individuals, communities, and organisations. With a presence in 25 countries across 42 industry sectors, RX hosts approximately 350 events annually. RX is committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. RX empowers businesses to thrive by leveraging data-driven insights and digital solutions. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, visit www.rxglobal.com.