Annual Meeting Home | Agenda | Exhibit | Sponsors
8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. — GHSA Executive Board Meeting
O'Neill Room (4th Floor)
(Board Members only)
8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. — Registration
6th Floor Foyer
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. — State Member Orientation
Astor Ballroom (7th Floor)
Sponsored by Alliance Highway Safety
(State Highway Safety Office Members only)
9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. — Regional Meetings
(State Highway Safety Office Members only)
- Region 1: Brecht (4th Floor)
- Region 2: Gotham (7th Floor)
- Region 3: Olmstead (7th Floor)
- Region 4: Hudson (7th Floor)
- Region 5: Soho (7th Floor)
- Region 6: Gilbert (4th Floor)
- Region 7: Gramercy (7th Floor)
- Region 8: Empire (7th Floor)
- Region 9: Chelsea (7th Floor)
- Region 10: Herald (7th Floor)
11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. — GHSA Business Meeting
Astor Ballroom (7th Floor)
Luncheon sponsored by LexisNexis
(State Highway Safety Office Members only)
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. — Exhibitor Move In
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. — Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall
Westside Ballroom (5th Floor)
Sponsored by Qualcomm
(Open to all attendees; registered attendees can purchase additional tickets for spouses/guests)
7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. — Registration
6th Floor Foyer
7:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. — Exhibits Open
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. — Continental Breakfast in the Exhibit Hall
Westside Ballroom (5th Floor)
Sponsored by AAA
8:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. — Opening General Session
Broadway Ballroom (6th Floor)
GHSA is inviting senior leadership from government, advocacy and industry to open this year's conference and discuss how we need to devote more attention and resources to preventing crashes, deaths and injuries on our nation's roads.
Opening Ceremonies
- Presentation of the Colors: New York State Police Color Guard
- National Anthem: NYPD Officer Kenneth Rivera
Emcee
- Barbara Rooney, Director, California Office of Traffic Safety
Welcome
- New York Welcome
Speakers
- Bob Holycross, Vice President, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering, Ford Motor Company
- Sophie Shulman, Deputy Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. — Morning Break in the Exhibit Hall
Westside Ballroom (5th Floor)
Sponsored by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Workshop 1: Serving the Underserved: Highway Safety Engagement in New Communities
Majestic Complex (6th Floor)
States and communities are increasingly engaging directly with members of the public to bolster their participation in highway safety planning and help enrich the delivery of highway safety services. Learn how safety advocates are building relationships with new communities by educating them about two critical safety issues – vehicle recalls and child passenger safety – as well as how to support highway safety initiatives among Native American populations.
Moderator
- Russ Martin, Senior Director of Policy and Government Relations, Governors Highway Safety Association
Panelists
- Lonny Haschel, Program Manager, Check to Protect, National Safety Council
- Nick Chabarria, Public Affairs Specialist, Automobile Club of Missouri
- Lacey Tisler, Chief Traffic Safety Engineer, Nevada Department of Transportation
- Mark McKechnie, Director of External Relations, Washington Traffic Safety Commission
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Workshop 2: On the Level: Reaching New Communities and Communicating about Evolving Automotive Safety Technology
Shubert Complex (6th Floor)
Automotive safety technology is constantly evolving, with new advancements and innovations developed nearly every day. It is crucial to educate motorists about the benefits and safe use of these features. Three national experts will discuss best practices for communicating about automotive technology and expanding the safety benefits through greater access.
Moderator
- Craig Flynn, Deputy Director, Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety
Panelists
- Bryan Reimer, Research Scientist, MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics
- Henry Greenidge, Regional Manager, Public Affairs, The Cruise Company
- Amy Klinkenberger, Senior Manager, Safety Fuels and Regulatory Affairs, Mercedes
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Workshop 3: Breaking Through the Clutter: Public Communications to Launch a New Awakening in Traffic Safety
Empire Complex (7th Floor)
With traffic deaths at historic highs and a recent rise in dangerous driving behaviors, the importance of traffic safety can often be lost in the wider social consciousness. Join with a panel of safety advocates and expert communicators to explore how the safety community can work together to launch a new traffic safety awakening among policymakers, the media and the public.
Moderator
- Jonathan Adkins, Chief Executive Officer, Governors Highway Safety Association
Panelists
- Chad Wilson, Associate Vice President of Government Relations, Nationwide
- Tim Weisberg, Deputy Director, Marketing and Public Affairs, California Office of Traffic Safety
- Bill Kotowski, Grants and Contracts Officer, Idaho Office of Highway Safety
- Katherine Hutt, President and Founder, Nautilus Communications
- Jayne O'Donnell, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Youthcast Media Group
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Workshop 4: Impaired Driving: Issues and Opportunities on the Cutting Edge
Julliard Complex (5th Floor)
Impaired driving remains an ongoing threat to motorists, and states and communities across the country are grappling with a range of emerging issues. Learn how states are preparing for cannabis legalization, the tips for avoiding safety pitfalls from early state adopters and about state licensing agency resources and activities to improve the administration of ignition interlock programs.
Moderator
- Glenn Davis, Highway Safety Manager, Colorado Office of Transportation Safety
Panelists
- Tyson Skeen, Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor, Utah Prosecution Council
- Craig Lyon, Director, Road Safety Engineering, Traffic Injury Research Foundation
- Brian Ursino, Director, Law Enforcement, American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators
- Tara Casanova-Powell, Principal, Casanova Powell Consulting
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. — Lunch in the Exhibit Hall
Westside Ballroom (5th Floor)
Sponsored by Intoxalock
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. — Workshop 5: Preparing to Take the Keys: Innovation in Novice Driver Education and Training
Majestic Complex (6th Floor)
Younger drivers are more likely to be involved in crashes, but research confirms a lower risk for young drivers who completed driver education and training, which teach concepts like driver responsibility, vehicle control and defensive driving strategies to reduce risky behaviors. National experts will discuss hands-on activities included in successful training programs and share insights about the importance of experiential learning in helping teens become safer and responsible drivers.
Moderator
- Owen McShane, Deputy Commissioner, New York Governor's Traffic Safety Committee
Panelists
- Pam Shadel Fischer, Senior Director of External Engagement, Governors Highway Safety Association
- Emily Davidson, Director, Ohio Traffic Safety Office
- Jesse Cohen, Traffic Safety Advocate, Speakers Bureau, New York State Students Against Destructive Decisions
- Dan Wagner, President, Teen Driving Solutions
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. — Workshop 6: SLOW DOWN! for this Speed Session
Shubert Complex (6th Floor)
Speeding is one of the most prevalent and pervasive traffic safety problems - and it's been that way for years. With new momentum behind the Safe System approach and its call for "safer speeds," how can we achieve the goal? Learn about new, innovative technology being deployed within New York City, automated enforcement in work zones and state and regional campaigns designed to put the brakes on speeding fatalities.
Moderator
- Shandi Smith, Program Manager, Tennessee Highway Safety Office
Panelists
- Douglas Tomlinson, Chief, Highway Safety and Traffic Operations Division, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
- Kim Wiley-Schwartz, Assistant Commissioner, Education and Outreach, New York City Department of Transportation
- Nick Brown, Highway Safety Coordinator, Maine Department of Public Safety
- Carmen Hayes, Regional Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Region 4
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. — Workshop 7: Mobility, Access and Safety
Julliard Complex (5th Floor)
People with disabilities and older adults have unique mobility needs. These underserved groups traditionally have not always been involved in transportation safety planning efforts that directly affect them. Join this important discussion that will explore safe walking, driving and other mobility opportunities for these individuals and how to involve them in planning, outreach and educational activities.
Moderator
- Mark Ezzell, Director, North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program
Panelists
- Josh Dunning, Vice President of Driver Safety, AARP
- Anna Zivarts, Manager, Disability Mobility Initiative, Disability Rights Washington
- Tiffani May Noel, Community Engagement and Diversity Outreach Coordinator, Nevada Office of Traffic Safety
3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. — Afternoon Break in the Exhibit Hall
Westside Ballroom (5th Floor)
4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. — Afternoon General Session: Creating and Sustaining a Highway Safety Dialogue with Diverse Communities
Broadway Ballroom (6th Floor)
Data show that minority populations are overrepresented in traffic crashes, and we know that many communities are not reaping the benefits of traffic safety initiatives. National advocates will discuss how to engage more diverse communities and stakeholders in discussions about traffic safety to ensure that services are provided to those that need them the most.
Moderator
- Licet Gaveau, Executive Director, New York Governor's Traffic Safety Committee
Speakers
- Torine Creppy, President, Safe Kids Worldwide
- Stacey D. Stewart, Chief Executive Officer, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
- Shelly Baldwin, Director, Washington Traffic Safety Commission
- Dimitrios (Jim) Mastoras, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President, Safe Night LLC; Master Police Officer (Ret.)
7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. — Registration
6th Floor Foyer
7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. — Exhibits Open
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. — Continental Breakfast in the Exhibit Hall
Westside Ballroom (5th Floor)
Sponsored by Nationwide
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. — Morning General Session: An Early Report Card on the Safe System Approach
Broadway Ballroom (6th Floor)
In 2022, the U.S. Department of Transportation adopted the Safe System approach as the national model for highway safety in its National Roadway Safety Strategy. While advocate and government agencies have embraced the Safe System approach nationwide, what progress have we made on implementing this new framework? National experts will discuss what steps they’ve taken and will need to take going forward to put the Safe System into practice.
Moderator
- Jonathan Adkins, Chief Executive Officer, Governors Highway Safety Association
Speakers
- Toks Omishakin, Secretary, California State Transportation Agency
- Lorraine M. Martin, President and CEO, National Safety Council
- Russ Rader, Senior Vice President for Communications, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. — Morning Break in the Exhibit Hall
Westside Ballroom (5th Floor)
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. — Workshop 8: Serve and Protect: Innovative Practices in Traffic Enforcement Equity and Engagement
Majestic Complex (6th Floor)
The national discussion over policing has put traffic enforcement at an inflection point, with states and communities considering and implementing a range of new strategies to achieve more equitable outcomes. Learn about new law enforcement best practices, programs, training and reform, as well as a national gold-standard approach to leveraging federal funding to collect and analyze traffic stop data.
Moderator
- Licet Gaveau, Executive Director, New York Governor's Traffic Safety Committee
Panelists
- Ken Barone, Associate Director, University of Connecticut School of Public Policy
- Commissioner José A. Gomérez, The City of Newburgh Police Department
- Colonel Lamar Davis, Superintendent, Louisiana State Police and Deputy Secretary, Louisiana Department of Public Safety
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. — Workshop 9: The Big Picture: Behavior and Other Elements in the Safe System Approach
Shubert Complex (6th Floor)
Nations, states and communities around the globe are rethinking the big picture on highway safety by carefully applying a Safe System approach. Safety experts will discuss how to ensure behavioral safety remains a key part of safety planning and programs, as well as innovative approaches to implementing a holistic Safe System on our roadways.
Moderator
- Edica Esqueda, Impaired Driving Program Manager, Washington Traffic Safety Commission
Panelists
- Tim Weisberg, Deputy Director, Marketing and Public Affairs, California Office of Traffic Safety
- Barbara Sauers, Associate Administrator for Regional Operations and Program Delivery, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Mandy Büttgen-Quinn, Safety Engineer, City of Springfield, Missouri
- Gamuna Wijetunge, Director, Office of Emergency Medical Services, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Emily Schweninger, Senior Policy Advisor, Transportation Health and Safety, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy, U.S. Department of Transportation
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. — Workshop 10: Detection and Prevention: Technology and Tactics to Prevent Impaired Driving
Empire Complex (7th Floor)
Responding to impaired driving, especially drug- and polysubstance-impaired driving, requires new approaches. Hear about resources available to states and communities to bolster the detection of impaired drivers, as well as an update on the national race to introduce new technologies to passively detect alcohol impairment and prevent drunk driving before it can occur.
Moderator
- Pam Shadel Fischer, Senior Director of External Engagement, Governors Highway Safety Association
Panelists
- Chuck DeWeese, President, Connecting Clients Consulting, LLC
- Jayme Derbyshire, Chemical Test for Alcohol Unit Coordinator, Montgomery County Police Department
- George Bishop, Principal, Gen4 Consulting
- Jeff Michael, EdD, Distinguished Scholar, Johns Hopkins University
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. — Workshop 11: Distracted Driving Breakout Rodeo
Julliard Complex (5th Floor)
Combating distracted driving on the road not only requires innovative countermeasures, but also an innovative workshop format! Instead of presentations or a panel discussion, join one of four rotating mini-discussion groups, where you’ll directly interact with and learn from practitioners implementing an array of innovative programs designed to change the social norm.
Moderator
- Debra Hollis, Highway Safety Manager, Arkansas Highway Safety Office
Panelists
- Christina Utz, Community Engagement Section Manager, Maryland Highway Safety Office
- John Fabiano, Acting Highway Safety Division Manager, Massachusetts Highway Safety Division
- Jonathan Nelson, Assistant to the State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer, Missouri Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office
- Sam Cole, Traffic Safety Communications Manager, Colorado Highway Safety Office
- Janet Kenny, Supervisor, State Highway Traffic Safety Section, Montana Department of Transportation
- Staff Lieutenant Leo Shirkey, Assistant District Commander, Cleveland District 3 Headquarters
- Bill Bell, Executive Director, Kentucky Office of Highway Safety
- Greg McVey, Supervisor, Nebraska Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. — Exhibit Hall Tear Down/Move Out
12:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. — Awards and Networking Luncheon
Broadway Ballroom (6th Floor)
Sponsored by the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility and The National Road Safety Foundation, Inc.
Emcee
- Amy Davey, Administrator, Nevada Office of Traffic Safety
Sponsor Remarks
- Darrin Grondel, Senior Vice President, Traffic Safety, Responsibility.org
- Michelle Anderson, Director of Operations, The National Road Safety Foundation, Inc.
Join us as we honor the 2023 recipients of the James J. Howard Highway Safety Trailblazer Award, the Kathryn J.R. Swanson Public Service Award and the Peter K. O’Rourke Special Achievement Awards. Network with old colleagues and make new friends while enjoying a delicious lunch. Ann Carlson, Acting Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, will speak.
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. — Workshop 12: Staying Safe Outside the Vehicle
Majestic Complex (6th Floor)
Pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-motorized and low-speed road users are in constant danger due to inadequate infrastructure and dangerous driving. What can be done to better protect people outside motor vehicles? Advocates will share how they are implementing programs in new and underserved communities to keep walkers, bikers, scooters and all road users safe from vehicle traffic.
Moderator
- Leslie Kennedy, Administrative Branch Manager, Kentucky Office of Highway Safety
Panelists
- Mandy Büttgen-Quinn, Safety Engineer, City of Springfield, Missouri
- Michelle Anderson, Director of Operations, The National Road Safety Foundation, Inc.
- Sangeeta Badlani, Nikhil Badlani Foundation
- Cindy Iodice, Founder, Flagman Inc.
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. — Workshop 13: Drug Recognition Experts: An Evaluation of the Future
Shubert Complex (6th Floor)
With drug- and multi-substance impaired driving increasing across the country, law enforcement Drug Recognition Experts (DRE) are more important than ever. Explore the history of the DRE program along with current challenges and learn how State Highway Safety Offices can support and collaborate with state DRE Coordinators. Experts will also share resources available to states to bolster their impaired driving prevention programs.
Moderator
- Michael Hanson, Director, Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety
Panelists
- Joe Abrusci, Project Manager, DECP
- Conor Treacy, New York State Drug Recognition Expert Program
- Darrin Grondel, Senior Vice President, Traffic Safety, Responsibility.org
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. — Workshop 14: Culture Shock: Evidence-Based Strategies to Reverse the Nation's Lagging Traffic Safety Culture
Empire Complex (7th Floor)
Underlying all behavioral highway safety efforts is a traffic safety culture that unfortunately remains poor among many drivers. Learn about evidence-based campaigns to change driver behavior, how one state has invested in a statewide Vision Zero program, how positive traffic safety culture can be instilled in novice drivers, and federal approaches to the issue.
Moderator
- Karin Mongeon, Safety Division Director, North Dakota Department of Transportation
Panelists
- Katie Womack, Senior Research Scientist, Center for Transportation Safety, Texas A&M Transportation Institute
- Kelly Browning, PhD, Executive Director, Impact Teen Drivers
- Julie Vallese, Associate Administrator, Communications and Consumer Information, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Ellen Walston, Injury Prevention Program Coordinator, Eastern Carolina University Health Medical Center
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. — Taste of the State Reception
9th Floor Terrace
Sponsored by Uber
(Open to all attendees; registered attendees can purchase additional tickets for spouses/guests)
8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. — Morning Coffee
6th Floor Foyer
8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. — Morning General Session: A Right to the Road
Broadway Ballroom (6th Floor)
Walking, biking, using a scooter and other forms of non-motorized, low-speed travel are more popular than ever, but we continue to experience an ongoing national crisis of drivers striking and killing people outside of vehicles. Using a town hall format, a panel of experts will join with the audience to discuss what must be done to protect all road users in a variety of communities and roadway environments.
Moderator
- Michael Hanson, Director, Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety
Speakers
- Amy Cohen, Co-Founder, Families for Safe Streets
- Nanda Srinivasan, Associate Administrator, Research and Program Development, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Jaime Sullivan, P.E., Director, National Center for Rural Road Safety
- Cheryl Walker, Associate Administrator for Safety, Federal Highway Administration
- Rebecca Sanders, Founder and Principal Investigator, Safe Streets Research and Consulting
10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. — Workshop 15: Achieving Excellence in Highway Safety Criminal Justice in 2023
Majestic Complex (6th Floor)
Criminal justice is a key component of highway safety but police officers, prosecutors, judges and others in the traffic safety community face renewed internal and external pressures and challenges. Representatives involved in traffic safety interdiction, prosecution and adjudication will discuss strategies to shape a more successful, serviceable and equitable criminal justice system.
Moderator
- Lisa Freeman, Executive Director, Louisiana Highway Safety Commission
Panelists
- Sarah Garner, North Carolina Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor
- Judge Jules Edwards, City Court Judge, Louisiana
- Colonel Kevin Anderson, Chief Law Enforcement Officer, Maryland Transportation Authority
10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. — Workshop 16: Traffic Safety Communications: New Challenges and New Solutions
Shubert Complex (6th Floor)
With additional federal safety funding and a mandate to reach more communities, what communications strategies can State Highway Safety Offices and their partners use to reduce fatalities and serious injuries? Hear from experts in communications and media about the importance of the youth perspective in traffic safety, how to reach and engage with Tribal communities, an example of a successful and wide-reaching seat belt campaign and how states can work with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to utilize federal resources.
Moderator
- Jaime Pelotte, Senior Contract Grant Specialist, Maine Bureau of Highway Safety
Panelists
- Lawrence Robertson, Program Director, Indian Highway Safety Program
- Presley Connor Pevovar, Assistant Director of Communications, Students Against Destructive Decisions
- Richard Klepner, Deputy Director, Delaware Office of Highway Safety
- Susan McMeen, Director of Consumer Education, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. — Workshop 17: Innovation in Automation: Alerts, Enforcement and Mobility
Empire Complex (7th Floor)
Highway safety programs are increasingly optimized by new technologies that leverage automated processes, monitoring, sensors and alerts. Learn about a range of services and partnerships available to State Highway Safety Offices that can be leveraged to make safety programs more successful, efficient and cost-effective.
Moderator
- Russ Martin, Senior Director of Policy and Government Relations, Governors Highway Safety Association
Panelists
- Rob Patrick, Manager, Emergency Response and Outreach, Waymo
- Mark Hutchinson, Chief Executive Officer, Blue Line Solutions
- Brock Aun, Vice President of Communications, HAAS Alert
- Andres Castrillon, Director, Government Affairs, Qualcomm
12:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. — Closing Luncheon
Broadway Ballroom (6th Floor)
Sponsored by Amazon and Ford Motor Company Fund
Sponsor Remarks
- Eli Pabon, Director, Global Road Safety, Amazon
- Joe Provenzano, Mobility and Volunteer Engagement Director, Ford Motor Company Fund
Moderator
- Pam Shadel Fischer, Senior Director of External Engagement, Governors Highway Safety Association
Al Roker, weather and feature anchor, and co-host of the 3rd Hour of NBC's TODAY; New York Times best-selling author; and 14-time Emmy winner, will speak about overcoming adversity, rising to meet new challenges, and how to create connections with new people and communities.