2020 Call for Papers and Presentations

THEME: INNOVATION BEYOND IMAGINATION

July 17-21, 2020
Diplomat Beach Resort
3555 South Ocean Drive
Hollywood, FL 33019

COMTO's National Meeting and Training Conference is the premier gathering of professionals in the transportation industry, attracting industry officials at all career levels seeking best practices, tools, and solutions to workplace and industry challenges. 

For its 49th annual conference, COMTO is seeking fresh, innovative, and cutting edge proposals for presentations, panel discussions, and workshops that are relevant to our 2016-2020 strategic goals and connect with the conference theme of Innovation Beyond Imagination.

Accepted proposals will fall into one of the following five workshop tracks: 

• Accessibility and Innovative Mobility
• Historically Underutilized Business
  
• Leadership
  
• Transportation Policy
• Transportation Technical

Proposals should identify objectives and measurable outcomes, and demonstrate its importance to the transportation industry. Sessions proposed should be CEU (continuing education units) eligible to comply with COMTO's efforts to offer certification and CEU hours to conference attendees. 

Applications must be submitted online. Paper and email submissions will not be accepted. For more information, please contact info@comto.org.  

SUBMISSION & NOTIFICATION TIMELINE

• Online Submission Opens: December 13, 2019
• Online Submission Closes: February 28, 2020 Extended to March 20, 2020
  

 WORKSHOP TRACKS

Accessibility And Innovative Mobility
The pace of technological innovation is bringing all kinds of solutions to long-standing challenges in the transportation industry. This progress is breaking down barriers in many ways for people with disabilities, particularly in mobility. Yet, it is important that, as technology and innovation power the solutions of the future, they are fully accessible and inclusive from the onset, so that they promote the best in everyone in our communities. This track will explore technology and innovation and their contributions to a more accessible transportation landscape.

(Examples may include: Mobility enhancements that enable innovative transit service delivery models, such as “first mile-last mile” that bridges the accessibility gap between fixed-route transit systems and the homes and points of origin of customers; communication enhancements that empower customers to make more informed choices from among a broader array of accessible transportation options; accessible mobile features and applications such as trip planning and wayfinding that enable customers to make use of transit more effectively; and technology enhancements that make paying for transportation services more accessible and affordable.)

Historically Underutilized Business (MWBEs, DBEs, DVBE & Small Business)

Presentations should be targeted towards solutions to "leveling the playing field" for minorities in the transportation industry and including multimodal applications. Special emphasis should be placed on national resources and best practices which could enhance the capacity and opportunity for Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB’s) to ear contractual opportunities and improve outcomes in the future.

(Examples may include a multi-modal approach to: innovative practices for small emerging and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, workforce initiative, mentor/protégé programs, small business programs, competing for and performing work, and leading joint ventures as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE).

Transportation Policy
Presentations should be targeted toward discussions and/or presentations across all modes of transportation of current and emerging issues in the transportation industry that speak to “Intelligent Mobility” and any policy areas that speaks to automation, integration and data-driven concepts that may/will transform the future of transportation.

(Examples may include: State and Federal Transportation Bills across all modes of transportation, new technologies, safety issues and awareness, legislative strategies and advocacy in the transportation industry)

Transportation Technical 

Sustainable Technological Advancements

Presentations should be targeted towards providing ideas via innovative and cutting-edge case studies, best practices and new technologies that support and continuously improve Safety and Security throughout the transportation industry. Sessions should focus on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) implementation in all modes of transportation. Show the audience how your innovation, idea, projects and ITS technology were used and provided sustainable Safety and Security measures in our industry. The presentation should demonstrate a clear and measurable learning outcome for professional growth and provide attendees with a variety of ideas they can immediately use in their organization, agency and company.

(Examples may include: Cybersecurity; Wireless Security; Rail Safety and Security; PTC; Port Security; Incident Management systems; TSA Facial Recognition and Airport Surveillance; Air Transportation Data Systems; Mobile Applications; Positioning Systems; Autonomous Vehicles; Drones as Security; Machine-Vision Road Systems; Cybercars; Intelligent Containers; Other)

Leadership
Presentations should be targeted toward middle, senior and executive level management professionals across all modes of transportation. Sessions should be informative and inspirational and provide best practices, guidelines, tips and/or practical solutions for professional leadership development and how it influences innovation within the transportation industry.

(Examples may include: Leadership challenges and best practices across all modes of transportation, workforce development, building stronger transportation teams, succession and career planning, financial planning and balancing work and family life)

All presentations should be CEU (Continuing Education Units) eligible. To meet CEU eligibility requirements, presentations must have clear and measurable learning outcomes, and provide attendees with tools for professional growth.

ELIGIBILITY

1. Workshops will be 60 minutes long: 45-50 minutes for presentations, and 10-15 minutes for questions and discussion.

2. Presentations promoting audience participation are encouraged.

3. You must upload an abstract with your submission. 

PRESENTATION TIPS

1. Delivery: Sessions are designed to provide an exceptional training and learning experience essential for the attendees. Please be creative and provide relevant, interactive content.
2. No Sales: This is a learning and training opportunity, please do not use sale strategies and pitches with your audience.
3. Big Presentation Styles: The primary goal is to engage the audience. Examples may include using case studies, staging a debate to illustrate pros and cons, using a game show format, or a top ten list.
4. Resources: Provide reference for additional information, including websites, charts and graphs, or documented resources. 

Other Information

• Moderators, panelists, presenters, etc. must register for the Conference by May 15, 2020. Accepted submissions will receive a discounted registration rate.
• All submitted applications should emphasize or contain information relevant to COMTO's 49th National Meeting & Training Conference theme, Innovation Beyond Imagination: Transforming Our Future.
• The maximum number of panelists is 4 per panel including the moderator.
• All concurrent workshops will receive: one head table for 3 panelists, one podium for moderator, and one projector, screen, audio output cables. Additional items (flipcharts, markers, etc.) must be requested by May 14, 2020.