{"id":26778,"date":"2021-08-01T14:18:47","date_gmt":"2021-08-01T21:18:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.westernite.org\/annualmeeting\/?page_id=26778"},"modified":"2026-07-08T14:29:22","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T21:29:22","slug":"whyattend","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.westernite.org\/annualmeeting\/whyattend\/","title":{"rendered":"WHY ATTEND?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-bottom:70px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_3_4 3_4 fusion-three-fourth fusion-column-first\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;width:75%;width:calc(75% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.75 ) );margin-right: 4%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">5 Reasons Why You Shouldn&#8217;t Miss the Annual Meeting<\/h2>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:30px;margin-bottom:30px;width:100%;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-solid\" style=\"--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;border-color:#e0dede;border-top-width:1px;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\"><div id=\"lipsum\">\n<h4>1. Educational Opportunities<\/h4>\n<p>No matter how experienced you are, everyone can learn.\u00a0 The Annual Meeting can provide educational opportunities that can expose you to new ideas and trends, as well as, further your professional development.\u00a0 Some of these opportunities include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Engaging in discussions about emerging topics in transportation with professionals throughout the west<\/li>\n<li>Earning PDHs or CMS for your professional license\/certification<\/li>\n<li>Exploring innovative transportation solutions<\/li>\n<li>Participating in Leadership mentoring<\/li>\n<li>Gathering with committees on leading edge initiatives and technical products<\/li>\n<li>Discovering first hand experiences in other communities on how they have advanced vision zero, smart mobility, transportation health and equity, autonomous vehicles, access for all modes of travel, complete streets and livable communities<\/li>\n<li>Obtaining information about changes in transportation performance measures\/measures of effectiveness and the advancing tools and data to bring to your agency\/employer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>2. Networking Opportunities<\/h4>\n<p>The Annual Meeting provides ample opportunities to establish relationships and network with your peers.\u00a0 You may meet someone at a meal, in the exhibit hall or wherever and within a few minutes, you can make a connection with someone that could dramatically impact your professional career. \u00a0This is especially important since these peers can become valuable resources for information, referrals, and best-practices.<\/p>\n<h4>3. Interaction with Solution Partners<\/h4>\n<p>Discovering innovative products and services for our industry is necessary to stay competitive in today\u2019s fast-paced world.\u00a0 The Annual Meeting provides a casual venue in which to interact with exhibitors who provide products, software and services for our industry.\u00a0 They may have innovative solutions to share or insight on emerging trends that could provide valuable to you in the future.<\/p>\n<h4>4. Professional Recognition<\/h4>\n<p>Presenting at conferences like the Annual Meeting is a way to establish\/increase your credibility and expertise in our field.\u00a0 When you actively participate in a conference, you can develop a reputation as an expert to your peers and your clients, and develop leadership skills.\u00a0 In addition, presenting will make you more confident about the work that you do, and give you new perspective about your work as people may ask questions that make you think about your project differently. \u00a0At a conference you have the opportunity to get feedback on your work from people who have never seen it before and may provide new insight.<\/p>\n<h4>5. Have Fun<\/h4>\n<p>Conferences like the Annual Meeting can add a layer of enjoyment by mixing a social aspect into your educational and career growth efforts.\u00a0 The Annual Meeting has a number of fun activities such as family friendly events, themed banquets, and tours (technical or otherwise) of the local area where the meeting is hosted.\u00a0 Take the opportunity to jump on a bike and experience all kinds of transportation applications in a new community.\u00a0 When people can have enjoyable experiences combined with professional learning experiences, companies often see benefits from improved moods, increased motivation and higher productivity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_1_4 1_4 fusion-one-fourth fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;width:25%;width:calc(25% - ( ( 4% ) * 0.25 ) );\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-1 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-margin-top-small:0px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:20px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-font-size:18px;\"><h3 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:18;--minFontSize:18;line-height:1.25;\">Register Today<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"fusion-button-wrapper fusion-align-block\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-default fusion-button-default button-1 fusion-button-span-yes fusion-button-default-type\" target=\"_self\" href=\"\/annualmeeting\/register\"><i class=\"fa-ticket-alt fas awb-button__icon awb-button__icon--default button-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">REGISTER TODAY<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-2 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color6);--awb-margin-top:70PX;--awb-margin-top-small:0px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:20px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-font-size:18px;\"><h3 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:18;--minFontSize:18;line-height:1.25;\">Latest News<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"fusion-post-cards fusion-post-cards-1 fusion-grid-archive fusion-grid-columns-1 fusion-grid-flex-grow\" style=\"--awb-column-spacing:0px;--awb-dots-align:center;--awb-columns:1;--awb-active-filter-border-size:3px;--awb-filters-height:36px;--awb-row-spacing:30px;--awb-columns-medium:100%;--awb-columns-small:100%;\" data-post-type-label=\"news\"><ul class=\"fusion-grid fusion-grid-1 fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-grid-posts-cards\"><li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion-flex-column post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:;--awb-flex-grow-small:;--awb-flex-shrink-small:;\" data-scroll-devices=\"small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-0 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-margin-bottom:0px;width:100%;\" data-scroll-devices=\"small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-3 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);--awb-margin-bottom:0px;--awb-margin-top-small:0px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:20px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-font-size:14px;\"><h3 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.25;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernite.org\/annualmeeting\/news\/save-the-date-5\/\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Save the Date<\/a><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3 fusion-text-no-margin\" style=\"--awb-font-size:13px;--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-margin-bottom:0px;\"><p>July 9, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep fusion-absolute-separator fusion-align-center fusion-single-px\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:100%;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-solid\" style=\"--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;--awb-sep-color:var(--awb-color7);border-color:var(--awb-color7);border-top-width:1px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-3 fusion-flex-column post-card fusion-grid-column fusion-post-cards-grid-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-blend:overlay;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:;--awb-flex-grow-small:;--awb-flex-shrink-small:;\" data-scroll-devices=\"small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-1 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-margin-bottom:0px;width:100%;\" data-scroll-devices=\"small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\"><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-4 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three\" style=\"--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color1);--awb-margin-bottom:0px;--awb-margin-top-small:0px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:20px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-font-size:14px;\"><h3 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;font-size:1em;--fontSize:14;--minFontSize:14;line-height:1.25;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernite.org\/annualmeeting\/news\/additional-hotel-rooms-available\/\" class=\"awb-custom-text-color awb-custom-text-hover-color\" target=\"_self\">Additional Hotel Rooms Available<\/a><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-4 fusion-text-no-margin\" style=\"--awb-font-size:13px;--awb-text-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-margin-bottom:0px;\"><p>April 16, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep fusion-absolute-separator fusion-align-center fusion-single-px\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:100%;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator-border sep-single sep-solid\" style=\"--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;--awb-sep-color:var(--awb-color7);border-color:var(--awb-color7);border-top-width:1px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":58,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"100-width.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"Tribe__Tickets_Plus__Commerce__WooCommerce__Main","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"0","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"footnotes":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":""},"class_list":["post-26778","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"ticketed":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.westernite.org\/annualmeeting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/26778","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.westernite.org\/annualmeeting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.westernite.org\/annualmeeting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.westernite.org\/annualmeeting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.westernite.org\/annualmeeting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26778"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.westernite.org\/annualmeeting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/26778\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36699,"href":"https:\/\/www.westernite.org\/annualmeeting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/26778\/revisions\/36699"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.westernite.org\/annualmeeting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26778"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}