INTERSECT26 brings waste and public works leaders to Orlando for two days of learning and training
Following two days of hands-on technical training at RouteSmart's INTERSECT26 conference in Orlando, waste logistics and public works leaders returned home with fresh strategies for route optimization. From desktop-to-cloud software migrations to data-driven driver safety, these direct insights from industry experts show how modern waste routing software is evolving to solve real-world operational challenges.
– 3 Min Read
RouteSmart clients in the waste collection, recycling, and public works industries descended on sunny Orlando, Florida, in March for two days of intensive learning and training at our biennial user conference, INTERSECT26. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Hard Rock Hotel, the event provided attendees with hands-on training, partner insights, and collaborative strategy sessions.
The conference kicked off with dual deep-dive training tracks. RouteSmart experts led immersive sessions on RouteSmart Optimize and RouteSmart Plan, giving attendees a direct look at how to use these tools to streamline operations.
For attendees like Leonard Huggins, GIS Coordinator for the City of Charlotte, these training sessions provided timely insights as his team prepares for a major upgrade.
“With our city transitioning from RouteSmart Desktop to RouteSmart Optimize and Plan this summer, my biggest takeaway has been reinforcing how Optimize bridges the gap between dispatch and planning structures,” Huggins shared. “It changes the perspective—optimization is no longer just for a small core group, but becomes a larger, more functional tool for dispatch and customer service teams. Additionally, learning how we can leverage ArcGIS Pro with RouteSmart Plan allows our GIS-enabled staff to support our mapping applications, even if they don’t have a specialized routing background.”
The training was followed by dedicated sessions from industry partners. Soft-Pak’s Mary Etienne and Dawn Wittig hosted an interactive session on operational integrations, while Navusoft President Brad Sovich shared key insights on dispatch and routing integrations.
After a day of learning, attendees unwound and networked during a Client Appreciation Dinner at The Palm restaurant.
“For me, the most valuable part of the conference was learning who the right people are to speak to when unexpected circumstances happen, when we need to escalate issues, or when we hit those operational roadblocks,” said Bryce Gisclair, Business Analyst at Acadiana Waste Services. “Meeting the team face-to-face helps us identify exactly who we need to connect with so we can diagnose the problem and find a solution quickly.”
Day two shifted focus to the industry’s future, starting with RouteSmart President Larry Levy, who kicked off the morning with opening remarks and an engaging route-planning brain teaser.
A major highlight was the “The FedEx Advantage” leadership panel, featuring Levy alongside Brad Bozeman, FedEx Vice President of Operations Technology Product Management, and now-retired Senior Vice President of Commercial Strategy & Revenue Chris Walz. The panel discussed the strategic and operational advantages of FedEx’s February 2025 acquisition of RouteSmart.
The session also gave attendees a first look at the product roadmap, highlighting upcoming research, development, and client service initiatives. Nicholas Tolopka of Waste Pro found great value in seeing how client feedback directly shapes these future software releases.
“It was incredibly reassuring to see that the features we want to see in Optimize—like data export integrations and specific routing fixes—are actively in development and our feedback is being heard,” Tolopka said. “It shows we have a clear future where those needs are being addressed. On top of that, interacting with other waste organizations makes you realize that you’re not alone out there when you’re working on complex routing projects.”
This sense of shared community and mutual problem-solving was a recurring theme throughout the conference. Emily Cone, lead corporate analyst for Recology, emphasized how hearing from peer organizations encourages a more holistic approach to routing.
“With so many different people here from the same industry, you’d think we would have a lot more similarities in our basic operations and approach,” Cone said. “But there are infinite ways that each company tackles the same basic, yet complex, routing problems.”
Basil Cantu, Bureau Manager of Collections and Customer Service for the City of Long Beach, agreed, noting that establishing clear, collaborative relationships is vital.
“Because we work with both the RouteSmart solutions and the SmartSuite dispatch tools, knowing who to collaborate with on each side is essential,” Cantu said. “My goal is to build on the partnerships established here and bring an expert on-site to work with my team directly so we can collaborate on our local operational challenges.”
The afternoon concluded with targeted breakout sessions. Attendees participated in hands-on workshops covering street data improvements with our partners at HERE, multi-day collection planning, and container delivery. Industry veteran David Biderman, President of Biderman Consulting, LLC, also hosted a popular “Ask the Expert” session addressing top solid waste and public works trends.
“We say this all the time: we come to INTERSECT to present our product roadmap and share our plans, but our clients are sharing just as much with us,” RouteSmart President Larry Levy said. “We are learning, and we are listening. The feedback and questions we received here have already advanced our understanding of what we need to build, identifying numerous opportunities to make our debut products even stronger.”
