Latest News

By Alex Jordan, City of Shakopee
Recipient of APWA-MN Young Professionals stipend to attend PWX

Advancing the Quality of Life for All - APWA’s Mission Statement could not have been more relevant than what I witnessed during the 2024 PWX in Atlanta, Georgia. Thank you to the MN-Chapter for giving me the opportunity to attend this year’s national conference. This was my first experience attending an out-of-state conference, and it did not disappoint. There are several key messages, experiences and lessons I will take away from the conference and I am happy to share them with our Chapter members. 

The 2024 National Public Works Expo in Atlanta, Georgia, offered inspiring discussions, practical insights, and leadership strategies for public works professionals. With a range of keynotes, workshops, and networking sessions, the event served as a powerful reminder of the essential role public works plays in advancing the quality of life for our communities.

Building Public Awareness: A Persistent Mission
One key takeaway from the opening sessions was the importance of public awareness. Advocacy for public works shouldn’t be limited to events like Public Works Week but should be a constant effort. Drawing on the metaphor of waves, the message was clear: persistence and consistency in advocacy are crucial. Public works departments should showcase their ongoing contributions, fostering a sense of belonging from the moment an individual applies for a job to the day they retire….

That sounded a little too scripted, eh? Thanks Chat GPT! Artificial Intelligence was at the forefront of the discussion at the educational sessions, breakout groups, technical trainings and keynote speakers. Are we as public works professionals ready for what AI can do for us? Because it is coming! It was fascinating listening to experts give their predictions and opinions on what AI will bring to our industry in the very near future. From simply providing a summary article for attending a national conference to helping write effective communication to a specific audience (like how to respond a resident complaint?) and analyzing large data sets to create what-if scenarios for CIP planning and asset management – the list goes on and on. One example of this was showcased on the exhibit floor at the Technology Solutions Theater “AI-Powered Asset Detection and Management”. This session discussed how Cyvl is partnering with transportation companies to gain access to real time video recording to detect and manage assets continuously. This technology can be used to forecast and assess asset conditions in real time and help cities better plan for maintenance. 

In addition to the vast technology resources available, the greatest value I brought back from Atlanta was the excellent leadership and development opportunities. Pandit Dasa, one of the keynote speakers, shared his experience living as a monk in New York City and how he learned to lead through service and self-care.  I learned ways to best engage and communicate with elected officials, such as how to deliver bad news, how to build trust, and how to adapt your message the appropriate audience. Lastly, I attended a moving session on Transcendental Leadership presented by Steve Johnson with the City of Des Moines. Steve shared his experiences on his personal growth and development, always striving to be a better version of himself, thereby making those around him better in the process. 

Lastly, the importance of our work as public works professionals was driven home. One quote that stood out to me was “Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree long ago”. This message really hit home to me that each decision we make, even the little ones, creates a lasting impact. We all influence at least one person’s life every single day, many times without even knowing it – that thought will live with me as a reminder that we need to do our best every day, continue to advocate for public works and grow the next generation of leaders in the industry.

The City of Atlanta and Georgia Chapter were phenomenal hosts and made PWX a once in a lifetime experience for me. I left the conference inspired to be a voice for public works and advance the quality of life for everyone. I’m looking forward to next year in Chicago already!

For all those who may be interested in attending a future PWX, I’ll leave you with how AI would summarize my experience:

The National Public Works Expo provided attendees with the tools, insights, and motivation needed to continue advancing the mission of public works. Whether through innovative project delivery, enhanced communication, or dedicated leadership, public works professionals left the event equipped to make a lasting difference in their communities. The future of public works is bright, as long as we continue to invest in our people, purpose, and innovation.