IATR Announces 34th Annual (Virtual) Conference:
“Regulatory Reboot!”
December 13-17, 2021 

The IATR is excited to announce its 34th Annual (Virtual) Conference Please join us from December 13-17, 2021.

The theme chosen for this year’s conference is “Regulatory Reboot!” Having been through hopefully the worst days of this unprecedented pandemic, it is my hope that we are on the path to some type of “Regulatory Renaissance.” Europe flourished and reawakened during the Renaissance of the 14th to 17th centuries, from the Middle Ages (or Dark Ages); recovering from a prolonged period of wars, famine and pandemics (including the Black Death or plague). While that was a long time ago, the concept of a “rebirth” or “revival” is here and now. There is a feeling of excitement among the industry, regulators and society in general after our most recent prolonged pandemic, with lockdowns, masks, social distancing and tremendous sadness surrounding the loss of life and suffering caused by COVID-19. Regulators and our industries have been resilient and were holding the line, taking things day by day over the past year and a half. Now, however, as many have reached or are approaching the light at the end of the tunnel, the first question asked is – what do we do next – continues as is, or try something new and different? Today’s excitement has drawn comparisons to the Roaring Twenties – following society’s last historical emergence from a worldwide flu pandemic, circa 1918. However, some feel we are not out of the woods yet, and that we should temper our excitement with sound policymaking and caution.

With regard to transport regulation, the concept of resiliency is to return to what things were – as we did last year as part of our last conference theme. This year, it is important to realize where we go from here – in terms of advancement and innovation. In terms of the selection of a conference theme, it is premature to say we are embarking yet on a revival, rebirth or Renaissance. Rather, the use of the term “reboot” makes more sense – as if we were rebooting our computers or software to work again after encountering a computer virus, software glitch or some other problem – but to have the system work better than before. Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines the term “reboot” as: “to start up again after closing or shutting down….. to start (something) anew: to refresh (something) by making a new start or creating a new version.” Given the IATR’s relentless focus on transportation technology, and with many regulators only now getting back into their physical offices, the theme seems to make a lot of sense for this point in time. Let’s pick-up where we left off, survey the landscape, upgrade our regulatory toolbox, and move forward into a changed and changing mobility world.

If there are any questions about registration options, credits for last year’s conference attendance, and/or membership renewal, please contact info@iatr.global.

We hope you enjoyed the 33rd Annual IATR Conference – our first-ever virtual event. All sessions will now be available on-demand until December 31, 2020 for all attendees and members to access 24/7!

Starting January 1, 2021, only members in good standing may view prior conference videos, access model regulations and surveys, or continue to receive daily news feeds, reports, and other membership benefits. To access the conference recording please log into your Member Portal here.