Taking the Region by Storm: How We Reign

The calm before the storm serves a vital purpose. Like the quiet before thunder, it’s a heads up that something very powerful is about to happen. It’s a caution, a notice that we must up our game and prepare for what’s coming next, that we very much need to do what needs to get done. In Los Angeles right now, we stand to benefit from the current calm before the storm. We have the momentary luxury of preparing for what’s ahead. But we must act fast and purposefully. What we do right now will determine how successfully we deliver these powerful events, happenings that will redefine our region and become our legacy. So, it’s time for all of us to step up.

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Several dynamic events comprise the storm. First and foremost for us, the WTS International Annual Conference will take place on May 5-7 at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. I need not tell you how much this event will showcase our chapter, our city, and our region. It is our defining moment. And it is expected to have the highest number of attendees of all WTS events to date with about 1500 participants. Centered on the theme, Leading the Way: Accelerating Innovation in Transportation, the conference looks “to deliver an engaging, forward-looking, and educational program that reflects the evolving transportation landscape and the leaders shaping its future.” That’s not rhetoric. That’s our actual plan. And we will do it. But we need your help.

First, in case you’ve not yet purchased your tickets, early bird registration closes on Friday, March 6. Register now. We must show up in numbers. More importantly, get involved. Volunteer. Participate. Get in the game. Help make this the best conference ever by offering your unique time, expertise, creativity, and unyielding effort. As the conference literature reads, “Whether you’re advancing your career, expanding your network, or seeking fresh perspectives, the 2026 WTS International Conference offers an experience that goes beyond the agenda.”

While of the utmost importance, the WTSI Annual Conference is only the beginning. The rest of the list proves equally daunting and impressive. In a few months, Los Angeles welcomes the 2026 World Cup, with the FIFA Fan Festival and 39 days of the beautiful game. Held in venues throughout Los Angeles, the World Cup will bring eight matches to the area including the US national team’s opening match and a quarter-final match.

Now, let’s talk Olympics and Paralympics. The largest Games ever, the 2028 Olympics will include 351 medal events in 36 sports, 22 events and four sports more than the last Olympics. The 2028 Paralympics is the world’s third largest sporting event, with an expected 560 events to be held in venues throughout our region. But whether we’re talking about the Olympics and Paralympics, the recently held NBA All-Star Game, the upcoming Women’s US Open, Super Bowl LXI, our Annual Conference, or the host of other mega events slated to take place in the LA region, one thing unites all of these events. They require exceptional logistics and coordination. And what it boils down to at its essence is what we do—transportation.

These events all rely on superior, effective, safe, and enjoyable transportation. And transportation projects that we execute today help augment our current systems to provide the backbone to make these events succeed. So, in many, many ways, this is our moment. But it’s only our moment if we take advantage of it.

The calm before the storm serves a vital purpose. It’s the staging moment before the action begins. That moment has arrived in Los Angeles. And it’s up to us to make the most of it. So, once again, register for the WTS Annual Conference before March 6. Volunteer to participate in the conference. And join us in preparing the region for these mega events on the horizon. The legacy we define will be our own.