T4America Blog

Here’s the full speaker lineup for Capital Ideas 2018

Update 10/18/2018: For the most up-to-date version of the conference agenda & speakers, please refer to the main conference page and click on the agenda tab.

Capital Ideas brings together state and local elected officials, policymakers, advocates, chambers of commerce staff, academics, and industry leaders from across the country under one roof.

This year’s conference will be no exception. Some of the nation’s leading experts on state policy and new mobility will join us in Atlanta in December. Together they will lead a conversation about how some states are already leading the way on this, and what other states can do to catch up. Here’s a first look at the full lineup.

Keynote speakers

Debra Lam is the Managing Director of Smart Cities and Inclusive innovation for Georgia Tech, a newly created role to drive smart cities and urban innovation work across the university and beyond. Prior to this, she served as Pittsburgh’s first ever Chief of Innovation & Performance where she oversaw all technology, sustainability, performance and innovation functions of city government.

Mayor Sly James was sworn in as the 56th Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri on March 22, 2011. Since taking office, he has focused his efforts towards making Kansas City best in four key areas: Education, Employment, Efficiency, and Enforcement. Among his accomplishments as mayor of Kansas City, he has been a champion for the Kansas City Streetcar throughout its planning and construction, and has emphasized that without a strong partnership with the federal government, Kansas City wouldn’t have achieved the level of success that it has seen along the streetcar route. Read more about Kansas City’s transportation successes.

Rusty Roberts is the Vice President for Government Affairs at Brightline, the only privately owned, operated and maintained passenger rail system in the United States. Brightline recently announced plans for a new system connecting Southern California to Las Vegas. Roberts will share lessons from the Brightline’s work in Florida, ways they are adapting in California, and tips any state leader should know about making innovative projects like this possible. Read more about the Brightline’s new plans for California.

Panelists and session leaders

The full agenda for Capital Ideas 2018 includes five panel discussions, two walking tours of transportation projects in Atlanta, several small group breakouts. Here’s a look at the full group of panelists and session leaders who will be leading those parts of the program.

Register today to join this group and learn the newest ideas in state transportation policy, hear lessons that other states have learned, and ask questions about how your own state can use this approach.

Have questions about registration, sponsorship, or our program? Email capitalideas@t4america.org to talk with our team.