International Municipal Signals Association

IMSA is the oldest known association of its kind in the world.

It dates back to October 1896, when a group of municipal signal men from several east coast cities met in Brooklyn, New York and organized an association called the “International Association of Fire and Police Telegraph Superintendents.”  Records indicate that the group met once a year thereafter and that committees were appointed which developed and submitted technical papers on pertinent subjects at these annual meetings.

The basic purpose of the organization was to keep its members and others in the profession, up-to-date on proper procedures of construction and maintenance of signal systems and informed on new products and equipment developments.

Annual IMSA Traffic Expo and School

March 25 & 26, 2025
Holiday Inn Burlington Hotel & Conference Centre

The Annual IMSA Traffic Expo is moving to a new location in Burlington. This is a free event and is presented with our Annual School.

This will be a 2 day event.

Day 1 – Tuesday, March 25, 2025

• First day of school classes and Vendors setup the trade show
• 4:30 pm the Trade Show opens for the students and anyone else to attend. Cocktails and finger foods will be served – cash bar.

Day 2 – Wednesday, March 26, 2025

• Second day of school classes
• Trade Show open 9 am to 3:30 pm with Speakers throughout the day

For more details or to rent a vendor booth contact Mario Watson at mario.watson@hotmail.com.

2025 IMSA Annual School

General School Information

The Annual School will be held in conjunction with the IMSA Traffic Expo on March 25 & 26, 2025 at the Holiday Inn Burlington Hotel & Conference Centre, 3063 South Service Road, Burlington, Ontario L7N 3E9.

Traffic Expo admission is free and students will be given ample time on the early evening of March 25 to attend the Traffic Expo as well as during the day on March 26.

All school programs are two days in length and commence at 8:30 am and run until 4 pm each day.

Registration fees include student program guides, parking, continental breakfast, coffee breaks and buffet lunch. Dinner is not included in the registration fees however a complimentary drink and fingers foods will be served on the evening opening of the Traffic Expo on March 25.

A block of rooms has been reserved until February 24, 2025 for students and others at the Holiday Inn at $155.00 per night plus taxes. Students are to arrange their own accommodation with the hotel. When calling the Holiday Inn please identify yourself as a member of IMSA group when making the reservation.

Course dates are March 25 & 26, 2025

A Practical Guide to OTM Signs & Markings – Intro
A Practical Guide to OTM Signs & Markings – Advanced

Roadway Lighting Technician I Certification
Traffic Signal Technician I Certification
Traffic Signal Field Technician II Certification

Registration and Payment

School Registration will be closed March 5, 2025. To register for programs please contact Certifications Chair at certifications@imsasafetyon.org. All Registration fees are to be paid by March 10, 2025 – no exceptions.

Registration Fee is $835 plus HST for each program with exam.

For Certification Renewals please contact the Certifications Chair

Important School Information

All Certification exams will be completed on-line. Students will need to have access to a laptop in order to complete the exams. Exams will be available for a 12 hour period after the class ends. Students will have 3 hours to complete the on-line exam. All exams are closed book and the student is not to be distracted during the exam or confer with others during the exam.

For Level I programs the prerequisite is a Work Zone program and one year of experience. For Work Zone only the IHSA Traffic Control for Temporary Work Zones or the OTC OTM Book 7 programs are recognized. No other Work Zone programs are currently accepted.

For Level II programs 2 years of experience and a Level I Certification are the prerequisites.