6
American Traffic Safety Services Association
The Signal:
“What are some of the changes you’ve seen in the Traffic Expo since joining ATSSA in 1991?”
McKee:
The first time the show was in a convention center was at the Phoenix Convention Center in
1992. Exhibitors started bringing larger equipment in 1993. The Traffic Expo started to grow with
advancements in technology—booths became high-tech and much more sophisticated. It was the first
time changeable message signs were displayed in the exhibit hall. Some of the largest pieces of
equipment we have at the Traffic Expo are striping trucks, which exhibitors started bringing around
1995. By 2005, we had paint removal trucks, technology software for sign management, traffic control
plans, traffic information management systems, speed display trailers and more.
Another change I’ve seen is the number of women in the industry from when I began working at
ATSSA. It used to be that the attendees were about 90 percent male. You now see many more women
managing exhibits at Traffic Expo, serving on committees and taking leadership roles in the industry.
The Signal:
“You’ve said that the Annual Convention & Traffic Expo couldn’t exist and expand
without the passion and dedication of ATSSA’s members in working to make our roadways safer.
Can you give us an example of this?”
McKee:
Many of ATSSA’s members and member companies have been with us since the very
beginning. ATSSA’s mission of “Toward Zero Deaths” is powerful and a goal that every one of us
works toward each day. ATSSA has retained members, which is evident when you see that some of the
companies that first exhibited with us back in the 1970s continue to exhibit at the Traffic Expo today.
There are Empco-Lite, Work Area Protection, Orafol (formerly Reflexite) and many others.
The Signal:
“You are also the Director of the American Traffic Safety Services Foundation
(The Foundation). Tell us about your role in that position.”
McKee:
I became director of The Foundation in 1998. It’s a wonderful cause with goals to bring
awareness of work zone safety, help the families of workers who have been killed or disabled in work
zones and honor those individuals lost in work zones. We should all feel proud of being part of an
association that’s about saving lives. Over the years, I’ve become even more passionate about being a
part of The Foundation.
I’ve met with family members who lost loved ones in work zone accidents. When I talk to these people
and see how it has affected their lives, it makes me more determined than ever to keep working for the
goal of “Toward Zero Deaths.” The Foundation features videos (on
of family members
who talk about how they found out their loved one was killed in a work zone accident and what that
loss means to them. It doesn’t matter how many times I watch these videos—I tear up every time.
The Signal:
“You’ve been with ATSSA for 23 years. What do you like most about the association?”
McKee:
We all feel passionate—our ATSSA members and I—about our common goal to save lives
on the roadways.
I also feel a sense of pride at how far we’ve come as an association. The Traffic Expo has continuously
experienced growth in attendance and exhibit booths, and it gives me a great feeling of accomplishment.
I have a four-person staff, including me, and we have to be organized, efficient and dedicated to pull
an event like the Traffic Expo off successfully every year. I’m very thankful for the hard-working
professionals I have on my team. When the ATSSA staff works together taking care of the numerous
components that make the Convention & Traffic Expo run smoothly, it is one, big team. Each person
at the event works toward making the show a success and ATSSA shine.
The Signal:
“When you’re not at ATSSA, how do you spend your free time?”
McKee:
I live in Fredericksburg with my husband, Dave, who works for Plastic Safety Systems and is
the vice president of the Virginia ATSSA Chapter. We enjoy traveling in our motor home. I also like to
garden and spend time with my grandchildren and our favorite dog, a Vizsla named Bronson.
45
th
ANNUAL
CONVENTION & TRAFFIC EXPO
Did you know…
In 1970, ATSSA was known
as the American Traffic Safety
Association (ATSA) and its
purpose was:
“…the promotion of the best
interests of the rental and
service companies which
provide traffic control and
safety services to
governmental agencies and
private industry…”
Eligibility for membership in
ATSA was restricted to
persons or firms engaged in
the rental and servicing of
traffic control devices.
During that same year, the
following events and items
were making headline news:
• The Beatles broke up.
• Computer floppy disks
were introduced.
• The Sears Tower in Chicago
was constructed.
• Leisure suits and mood
rings were popular.
• The average annual salary
was only $9,350.
• A gallon of gas was 36¢.
• A new Dodge was $4,785.
• “The Mary Tyler Moore
Show,” “The Odd Couple”
and “Monday Night Football”
debuted.
