The Atlanta Braves’ official band Party Nation hit it out of the park with a high-energy set at the Opening Ceremony of ITS World Congress 2025. Laura Chace, president & CEO of ITS America, then encouraged a packed hall of delegates at Atlanta’s Georgia Convention Center to think clearly about how they are using their resources.
“We’re here to showcase that innovation is critical, and innovation is not just about doing the same things differently – it’s about trying new things,” she said. “It’s about how we choose to invest, what we invest in, and how we deliver on these transportation projects – from improving everyday services to unlocking entirely new ways of moving people and goods. Now, more than ever, smart investments in transportation are critical; and if we do them right, they save lives, save time and save money.”
Ramin Massoumi, chair of the Congress organising committee and head of the global intelligent transportation business of Arcadis, pointed out that the event is taking place “at a time of profound global challenges and unprecedented possibilities”.
He insisted: “Urbanisation and shifting economic realities demand that we rethink the systems that move us. The pressures on our cities and supply chains are immense, but so too are the opportunities to innovate. Intelligent transportation must be at the forefront of our response - whether it is through the deployment of autonomous vehicles, or the integration of big data and artificial intelligence, the development of smart corridors or the expansion of shared mobility, we have the means to build a future that is not only more efficient, but more sustainable and equitable. But innovation doesn’t just happen in a vacuum: it requires robust partnerships between governments, industry and academia.”
