The 2025 Best of ITS Heartland Awards, sponsored by ITS Heartland, recognize outstanding ITS Projects and ITS Products or Services within the region. Winners will be honored with an award and public recognition at the ITS Heartland Annual Meeting.

Eligibility Requirements

• Entries must be submitted by ITS Heartland members or member organizations.
• Projects must have been completed or be ongoing within the past calendar year.
• All entries must be received no later than March 31, 2025.

Award Selection Criteria

• ITS projects should demonstrate specific outcomes, exemplifying innovation and benefit to the ITS industry.
• The selection committee will consist of current ITS Heartland Board Members (individuals involved in a nominated project will recuse themselves from the selection process).

Award Categories

1. Best ITS Project in the ITS Heartland Region (IA, KS, MO, NE, OK)

   • Projects, including research and studies, must be completed or operational within the last year in the 5-state ITS Heartland region.
   • Eligible projects can include, but are not limited to, areas such as traveler safety and security, emergency services, traffic management, transit and mobility, infrastructure operations, connected/autonomous vehicles, software applications, and TSMO.

2. Best ITS Product or Service in the ITS Heartland Region (IA, KS, MO, NE, OK)

   • This category is for new or recent ITS products, services, or training programs that demonstrate innovation and benefit to users, public safety, surface transportation efficiency, etc.
   • Products must demonstrate design that advances ITS applications and yield specific outcomes.

Application Procedures

• To apply, please complete the Best of ITS Heartland Application.
• The narrative should clearly outline the merits of the entry.
• Only entries from ITS Heartland members are eligible for consideration.
• Multiple partners may be included, but at least one partner must be an ITS Heartland member. Not a member? Join Here
• Entrants may submit more than one project or product/service.

Award Selection Procedure

• Applications will be reviewed by the selection committee, and the winners will be notified by April 7, 2025.
• Winners may be asked to provide a brief (3-5 slide) PowerPoint presentation showcasing their project or product/service.

Presentation and Venue

• The Awards Ceremony will take place during lunch on Tuesday, April 30, 2025, at the ITS Heartland Annual Meeting.
• The event will be held at the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel at the Convention Center (6100 College Boulevard, Overland Park, Kansas 66211).
• For more details, please visit our annual meeting page.

Recognition and Publicity

• Winners will be featured in a post on ITS Heartland’s social media channels and highlighted on the ITS Heartland website to showcase their achievements.
• Awardees will be publicly recognized during the Awards Ceremony and celebrated in ITS Heartland communications.