Western States Transportation Planners meet in Phoenix
PHOENIX (September 26, 2001) – Transportation planning experts
from around the Western United States will convene in Phoenix
September 30 through October 2, as the Maricopa Association of
Governments (MAG) hosts the Western States Intermodal Planning
Group (IPG) 2001 Annual Conference.
The conference will focus on a variety of regional transportation issues, especially those commonly affecting Western states. The conference is being held at the Doubletree Guest Suites, 320 N. 44th Street, Phoenix. A schedule of sessions can be found here.
The theme of the two-and-a-half day conference is "Diversity in the 21st Century and the Challenge to Transportation." A special invitation has been issued to Native American communities to encourage their attendance and participation in the conference.
Keynote speakers will include Linnea Bernard McCord, an associate professor of business law from Pepperdine University. McCord, who served as legal counsel for multinational companies and lived in Saudi Arabia, will address issues of the global economy in the Western United States, specifically focusing on issues of diversity. McCord will deliver her comments during the conference dinner, Monday, October 1 at 7:00 p.m.
Another keynote speaker will be the Honorable Mary Peters,
who has just been confirmed by Congress as the new Administrator
for the Federal Highways Administration. Peters is the former
director of the Arizona Department of Transportation. Her address
will be given during a conference lunch on Monday, October 1
at noon.
"The conference represents a significant opportunity for
transportation planners to share concerns, ideas and solutions
for improving our transportation systems," said MAG Executive
Director James M. Bourey. "While some issues are unique to
individual regions, it's often surprising to learn just how many
of the same challenges we face across the country. MAG hopes those
attending the conference will walk away with some great insights
on how we can better serve our transportation constituencies."
The jam-packed agenda for the two-and-a-half day conference will feature more than a dozen sessions, including an overview of what's happening in transportation in the Western United States; regional governance in terms of how growth, trade, the new economy and changing demographics are causing many regions to rethink their organizational structure; and how to integrate multi-modal projects in transportation plans.
For more information or to arrange coverage, please contact Kelly Taft, Communications Manager at (602) 452-5020.