Driving What’s Next: Inside The Beta District’s Inaugural Mobility Conference
The Beta District’s inaugural Ohio’s Future of Mobility Conference brought together 150+ attendees, 50+ speakers and 90+ organizations for a dynamic three-day exploration of mobility, innovation and collaboration along the 33 Smart Mobility Corridor and beyond.
Held May 13–15, 2025 and hosted at the Autonomous Mobility Innovation Center (AMIC) in Marysville, the event served as an international gathering point for those shaping the future of how we move, connect and grow. With more than 50 expert speakers, immersive tours and insightful breakout sessions, the conference spotlighted the transformational work being done in The Beta District and beyond.
Day One: Collaboration & Innovation
The conference kicked off at AMIC with a full day devoted to the power of cross-sector partnerships. Morning sessions set the tone with thought-provoking presentations from Robert Bell, Co-Founder of the Intelligent Community Forum and Paul Hoekstra, U.S.A. Mobility Business Unit Director at Technolution/TNL. Attendees were then treated to a keynote from John Horack, Ph.D., Professor and Neil Armstrong Chair in Aerospace Policy, The Ohio State University, who emphasized the convergence of mobility innovation across land, air and space – and what that means for regional economies, community well-being and the next generation.
Throughout the day, plenary and breakout sessions explored practical applications of collaboration, from improving customer access and engagement to leveraging fiber infrastructure and analyzing data through an Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) lens. The conversations made it clear: innovation doesn’t happen in silos – it requires aligned priorities, shared data and strong public-private ecosystems. COTA’s role in advancing collaborative efforts like LinkUS underscored the importance of transit agencies in driving equitable access and integrated mobility solutions.
The evening wrapped with a walking tour of Dublin’s smart city infrastructure and a relaxed networking reception at Fado Irish Pub, where leaders continued conversations over small bites and drinks, thanks to the generous support of our friends at Ericsson and Granite.
Day Two: Innovation in Action
Wednesday’s focus shifted to showcasing how ideas take root and come to life through mobility applications and workforce readiness. The morning began with an engaging session on Advanced Air Mobility, examining the near-future potential of drones and eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) vehicles for cargo, transit and emergency services. This was followed by a panel on Ground Mobility, where public officials and tech leaders discussed innovations in EV infrastructure, smart traffic systems and connected vehicles.
Breakout tracks offered deeper dives into the WORK pillar – featuring two timely discussions: one on manufacturing trends and technologies and another on talent development strategies to future-proof the workforce. These sessions underscored the need for an adaptable talent pipeline and robust industry partnerships to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving transportation sector.
The afternoon keynote by Jan van der Wel, Founder of Technolution/TNL, provided a global perspective, highlighting how European mobility solutions can inform and inspire efforts in the United States. His insights reinforced the value of international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
The evening kept the conference in Marysville for a walking tour and social event at Leon’s Garage – an opportunity for attendees to experience one of The Beta District’s innovation hubs up close while strengthening their professional networks. The reception was made possible by the continued support of our friends at TNL.
Day Three: Innovation in Motion
On Thursday, the focus moved from discussion to demonstration. Participants were invited to tour two of the region’s premier innovation assets: Honda and the Transportation Research Center (TRC). These experiences brought to life the region’s unique capacity for real-world testing, validation and deployment of mobility technologies.
The TRC’s SMARTCenter showcased why The Beta District is leading the way in connected and autonomous vehicle research. With over 500 acres of closed track testing space, the SMARTCenter supports both public and private sector R&D – making it a cornerstone of The Beta District’s innovation ecosystem. The Honda tour illustrated why the company is a global leader and how it has been the catalyst for attracting 70+ automotive suppliers to The Beta District.
The Future of Mobility Is You
The 2025 Beta District Conference was a celebration of progress, a forum for fresh thinking and a launchpad for new ideas.
We extend our deepest thanks to all attendees, especially the more than 50 speakers who generously shared their time and expertise. From elected officials and engineers to researchers and entrepreneurs, your insights sparked important conversations that will continue to shape the future of mobility, infrastructure and innovation in Ohio and beyond.
And an extra special note of gratitude to our event partners and sponsors: City of Dublin, City of Marysville, Union County-Marysville Economic Development Intelligent Community Forum, DriveOhio, Smart Columbus, TNL, Transportation Research Center (TRC), Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), Urban Robotics Foundation, Consulate General of the Netherlands, Forward Momentum, Ericsson and Granite. These organizations provided invaluable time and resources to make this event a success.
Check out photos from the event here!