ATSSA Signal November December 2020

American Traffic Safety Services Association 42 street lighting. He then spent several years with barricade companies focus- ing on temporary traffic control. Nielsen remembers hearing about ATSSA for the first time around 1995. He became amember and attended events through the companies he was working for, and eventually became an ATSSA instruc- tor in 2007. In addition to keeping current on indus- try trends and policies, Nielsen likes the relationships that ATSSA members get to formwith their colleagues across the industry. “Youmake acquaintances atmembership meetings and at the national events,” he says. “These people tend to become friends over time.” In typical years, the chapter holds one of its two annual meetings in the Los Angeles area at a golf course. There, members have fun and raise money for The ATSS Foundation through a golf tour- nament. The chapter has also hosted skeet shooting, twisted bowling, air boat rides, and Top Golf events for fun and Foundation fundraising. The Foundation exists to promote road- way safety through charitable giving and public awareness programs. Two of its programs are the National Work Zone Memorial and Roadway Worker Memo- rial Scholarships. The Memorial honors the lives of men and women killed as a result of work zone incidents and raises awareness of the tragic consequences of these incidents. The dependents of people killed or permanently disabled in work zone incidents can apply for the academic scholarships, which are awarded annually. Nielsen said ATSSA’s annual Convention & Traffic Expo is a great opportunity to learn about newproducts and practices whilealsoconnectingwithothermembers fromaround the country. The51st Annual Convention & Traffic Expo was originally scheduled for Jan. 29–Feb. 2 as a hybrid event with in-person participation in San Diego as well as online. In September, it was shifted to an all-virtual event and moved to the weeks of Feb. 8 and 15. (For details, Expo.ATSSA.com. ) “Wewould have loved nothingmore than to have a successful conference in San Diego face-to-face,” he said. “Great loca- tion, usually great weather and many California lifestyle-type things to do.” The camaraderie and exchange of infor- mation make the annual conventions valuable, he said. “I firmly believe that themore we can see, learn, and discuss the issues, the safer our roadways can be as a result.” Member Engagement