So, if even half of the people who promised to check out my website during the Association for Commuter Transportation conference in Atlanta this past week, then I might even crash the server (not likely). Am hoping to greet new visitors, here. I think there’s a lot to talk about, and I am honestly more interested in the conversation that I am in the business opportunity of the blog.
I thought it was one of the best conferences I’ve attended in years. I’ll be writing more about it in coming days (my son begins 5th grade tomorrow, so I need to get some sleep. But I will say that after more than 20 years of ACT conferences, I realize the value of long term, professional relationships. As the principal of my newly formed company, I was able to call upon long-time consultants, large and small firms as well as individually owned companies, and program operators to give me advice, encouragement, and, of course, hope for the future. I certainly got the message that its going to a slow road to full federal funding and program implementation, but the support I got from my professional colleagues was invaluable.
Conferences are great places to learn new things. But its the people you meet and make a point to get to know and stay in touch with who make this organization and this industry very special. Its a business of partnerships of all kinds, and those need to be based on positive relationships. I had the privilege of spending time with quality people this week, and feel great about it. I hope many of you had a similar experience.
More to come (if I think of something) on the conference.
Tags: associaton for commuter transportation, conference, networking, project teams, transportation programs
