Welcome to ITS America’s 25th Annual Meeting Anniversary in Pittsburgh!
This historic silver anniversary brings together more than 2,000 of the nation’s top transportation and technology policymakers, business leaders, engineers, investors and researchers. The event’s theme – Bridges to Innovation – is appropriate in that the issues to be discussed and debated and the technologies on display are representative of how important ITS is to America’s – and the world’s – transportation future.
“The ability to move people and goods safely and efficiently, advancing people’s lives and building our economy and national security has been the bedrock of transportation initiatives throughout the course of our country’s history,” said Hopper.
”I grew up watching as highways, bridges and tunnels opened up the little corner of my childhood world to a host of opportunities for individuals, small and large business and academia. Because of a solid transportation infrastructure, northwest Arkansas is now a hub of the world’s economy.”
Hopper, whose father served as a member of the Arkansas Highway Commission for nearly two decades, now has the opportunity to work with the ITS membership to promote adoption of new technologies which can immediately address the nation’s transportation infrastructure challenges.
“We are at a critical point in our country’s infrastructure development. These advanced technologies are already proving to dramatically improve vehicle and highway safety, reduce traffic congestion, protect our environment, improve mobility and create cost-savings for the traveling public.”
Pittsburgh, a growing corridor for high-tech business and innovation, is perfectly positioned to serve as host for this ITS America milestone. We hope you will take full advantage of the insights from industry leaders and the hands- on experience of the latest technologies from more than 125 exhibitors.
As the industry continues to strive for a safer, more efficient, sustainable and accessible transportation network, ITS America will continue to define the future of intelligent transportation.
Regina Hopper
Hopper is a veteran executive of major Washington industry associations with experience in public policy advocacy, communications, media and law spanning the transportation, telecommunications and energy industries.
Most recently she served as president and CEO of America’s Natural Gas Alliance where she built advocacy and marketing operations from the ground up in Washington, D.C. and in 22 states. She also served as executive vice president of USTelecom and the American Trucking Association. Regina has been recognized as a Top Association CEO and lobbyist by CEO Update and The Hill.
Prior to her trade association work, Hooper was a correspondent for CBS News where she earned an Emmy for investigative reporting on 48 Hours. She covered the George H.W. Bush and Clinton White Houses as well as breaking news for CBS network news programs and CBS Newspath.
A 2011 Johnson Fellow at the University of Arkansas, Hopper holds a Juris Doctorate and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She currently serves as chair of the Miss America Foundation and first vice-chair of the Miss America Organization, collectively the largest providers of scholarships to young women in the world.