ATSSA Signal November/December 2017

2 American Traffic Safety Services Association MEETINGS & CONVENTIONS Countdown to ATSSA’s 48th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo First-time 2017 event attendee shares what 2018 newcomers can expect Only weeks remain from now until ATSSA’s 48th Annual Convention & Traffic Expo and the preparations for the largest trade show in the U.S. for roadway safety products and services are in full swing. The nearly 3,500 who are planning to attend the convention and traffic expo are now waiting for the kick- off date of Jan. 26, when they will be able to participate in the event’s many programs and sessions in San Antonio, Texas, such as the Opening General Session, ATSSA’s Circle of Innovation, and concurrent sessions, to name a few. Additionally, the convention and traffic expo’s large number of roadway safety exhibitors, will showcase the latest technologies and innovative products and services. Alexis Madden, the global market manager for DOW Chemical, was one such attendee, who travelled to Phoenix, Arizona to exhibit her company’s newest product at the 2017 convention and traffic expo. During her 10 years with DOW Chemical, Madden said she had heard great things about ATSSA as an association and the convention and traffic expo. My colleagues shared their experiences from attending the Annual Convention & Traffic Expo the prior year [in 2016], so I knew it would be a great opportunity to learn and connect,” Madden said, adding that when she attended the following year, in 2017, her main focus was launching DOW’s new product and she was “very pleased with the platform to present, as well as attendees, and other exhibitors.” Madden said upon first attending the traffic expo, she was impressed by the number of people in attendance and the range of products that were represented. “Overall, everyone was enthusiastic, and there was a definite feeling that you were among leaders in their fields,” Madden said. “The Traffic Expo floor was intimidating at first. But after the first day, I felt like I really had the lay of the land, and was able to navigate easily. The ATSSA Pavilion, which hosted informational sessions and speakers was one of my favorites. It was also a great learning experience to visit the booths that manufacture products that are so critical to the industry.” Madden also participated in concurrent educational sessions during the 2017 convention and traffic expo and said she found them to be beneficial as a first-time attendee, as they were informative and allowed for opportunities to ask featured speakers and experts questions. She said she and her coworkers who attended the event with her were able to share what they learned with colleagues and leaders at DOW Chemical upon their return. However, for Madden, the greatest benefits of attending the event was the variance and number of individuals and companies in one place. “Meeting so many of our customers, other players in the industry, and ATSSA team members were some of the highlights,” Madden said. “I really enjoyed spending time in our booth to meet, and educate individuals as they came by.” As for the advice she would offer first-time attendees of the 2018 convention and traffic expo, Madden said above all else, “Be prepared to learn, ask questions, and meet as many people as you can.”  