2019 Transit Conference Calendar
Our compilation of transit conferences across the nation.

Passenger Assistance Safety and Sensitivity (PASS) Train the Trainer Workshop
Jan. 9-11
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Location: Williamsburg, Virginia

Passenger Assistance Safety and Sensitivity (PASS) Train the Trainer Workshop
January 14-16
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Location: Canton, Georgia

Passenger Assistance Safety and Sensitivity (PASS) Train the Trainer Workshop
January 30-February 1
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Location: Denver, Colorado

Grant Development and Writing
May 20
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Instructor: Dr. Matilda Harris
Navigating the world of grants and grant development can be daunting. Learn from experts in the grant development process how to convert your ideas into fundable projects. Acquire the skills needed to:

• Identify key sections of successful proposals
• Secure partnerships with private sources of funding
• How to write a convincing argument for funding
• Create an effective business plan
• Utilize the Logic Model to clarify and graphically display your projects intent
• Address outcomes and deliverables
• Review, score and discuss a full transportation related proposal

The training addresses the overall strategic plan for writing grants, including: needs statement, mission, goals, objectives, activities, evaluation, key personnel, and budgets. You'll also learn how to utilize logic models to clarify and graphically display your project's inputs and outcomes. Whether you new to the field of grant development or a seasoned veteran this course will enhance the skills you need to succeed in your search for funding.

Leading Innovation in Your Organization
May 20
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Instructor: Amy Conrick
We know we need to move beyond "the way we've always done things," but where to start? This course, designed for transit leaders and mobility management professionals, addresses how to leverage staff and customer insights to inspire innovation in your operations. Participants will have hands on experience with techniques to tap into the customer experience as a source of innovation, de-risk any innovative solutions before expending scarce resources on implementation, among other techniques.

Transit Marketing and Communication for Community and Public Transportation
May 20
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Instructor: Selena Barlow
This workshop offers an overview of communications strategies to help any transit agency build visibility, community support and ridership. The class begins with basic marketing and communication principals and shows how these apply specifally in the public transportation environment - whether fixed route or demand response. Particular emphasis is placed on user-focused and innovative passenger information tools that makes transit easy to use and on community-based marketing strategies which capitalize on transit's connections within the local community. Throughout the workshop, the presenter uses real-world examples from her 20+ years as a Transit Marketing consultant working with more than 100 community transportation systems throughout the U.S.

Vehicle Maintenance Management and Inspection (VMMI)
May 20-22
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Instructor: Halsey King, SAE
The Vehicle Maintenance Management and Inspection certification training program promotes the community transportation industry's commitment to safe, reliable transportation through building the professional skills of maintenance personnel and managers. This certification workshop is geared toward enhancing the skills of maintenance technicians and maintenance managers.

Passenger Assistance Safety and Sensitivity (PASS) Train-the-Trainer
May 20-22
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Instructors: Master Trainer Russ Parish and Master Trainer Ralph Mason
Attendees will receive training and a professional certification in the critical elements of safety, sensitivity and passenger assistance. This newly updated PASS "6.0" certification workshop is designed as a three-day Train-the-Trainer to certify trainers who can then train drivers in the passenger assistance techniques and sensitivity skills appropriate for serving persons with disabilities. Special Note: This workshop is discounted for National Community Transit Roadeo Drivers.

NEMT: Beyond Medicaid
May 21
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Instructors: TBA
Too often, the world of non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) has revolved around Medicaid - and not without reason, the program invests billions of dollars in transporting its recipients to eligible medical appointments every year. But every year, the politics around the Medicaid transportation benefit get rougher, compliance gets tougher and its dependability as an investment stream grows less reliable. This session, designed for NEMT and public transit operators alike, is a deep dive into the other world of NEMT - one dominated by managed care organizations and private sector health care providers and one that is growing in investment and importance. Attendees will learn how and where to seek these new opportunities, and to look at NEMT from an entirely new perspective.

Building a Sustainable Driver Workforce From Recruitment to Retention
May 21
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Instructors: Lyn Hellegaard
You know that drivers are the front-line representatives for your agency. So what can transit leaders do to address the current driver shortage? Organizational awareness, executive support, and understanding effective employee relations are critical factors impacting your service and are key in any effort to address driver shortages. Very few decisions a supervisor makes has the importance of hiring an individual, particularly in the critical customer service position as a driver. The effort and attention that's put into all aspects of employee retention has a direct correlation on the need for driver recruitment. Throughout this interactive session, you'll learn about all aspects of driver recruitment and retention with the focus on building a sustainable driver workforce that engages the best people with the right attitude, which ultimately leads to job satisfaction and reduced employee turnover.

Effective Procurement Strategies
May 21
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Instructor: Kelly Shawn
Many transit providers and communities require contracted services because they may not have the capacity to provide the services themselves. In other cases, contracted services like maintenance, operations and management may prove to be more cost effective through a contract versus in-house. This session will provide a comprehensive review of third-party contract management starting with the identification of need for contracted service, procurement process, contract award, contract oversight and contract termination or renewal. We will discuss all aspects of contracting services effectively and responsibly while reducing exposure to risk.

Certified Community Transit Supervisor (CCTS)
May 21-22
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Senior Instructor: Michael Noel
To meet the unique challenge facing these important personnel, CTAA has developed the "all new" Certified Community Transit Supervisor "5.3" program. This two-day classroom workshop has been updated to include a wide variety of skills necessary to successfully manage front-line employees and a web-based prerequisite course. The web-based program (taken prior to Expo's classroom training) will include the supervisor's role, succeeding as a new supervisor, communicating effectively, leading your team, coaching and counseling, conflict management and decision making, and transit supervisor responsibilities.

Professional Dispatching and Scheduling (PDS)
May 21-22
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Instructor: John Cleveland
This workshop provides skills to increase expertise in developing improved communication and working relationships between the reservations, scheduling and dispatching functions. The workshop covers service to people with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act, customer service skills, the role and best practices of the Reservationist, Scheduler and Dispatcher and the central role of the Dispatcher in any emergency situation. This workshop is designed for the dispatcher, scheduler and reservationist in any transit service environment.

Certified Safety and Security Officer (CSSO)
May 21-22
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Senior Instructor: Joe Seitz
Assure your transit system's commitment to safety and security through participation in our Certified Safety and Security Officer Program. Following the Federal Transit Administration Model Bus Safety Program guidelines, this certification program will help you identify your system's strengths, and provide you with tools for improving the safety of your passengers, your staff, your equipment and your future.

Preparing for the Certified Community Transit Manager (CCTM) and Certified Transit Public Administrator (CTPA) Exam
May 21-22
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Instructor: Chris Zeilinger
Prepare for our industry's professional management examination, and gain a fresh overview of all the key ingredients of effective transit management. State transit personnel are encouraged to take this class as part of their Certified Transit Program Administrator (CTPA) study program. Note: Participants in this class will be asked to take a professional certification exam, given on Wednesday, June 14. This course is designed for senior-level community transit managers with some experience who are looking to broaden their knowledge base and build on their professional skills.

Financial Management for Transit Agencies
May 21-22
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Instructor: A.T. Stoddard
In today's financial management you cannot afford to be without top-notch financial management skills. You must know your true costs of providing service and be able to track those costs and manage your cash flow. Learn how to use financial information, operations data, and proven financial strategies to plan, develop, and implement your transit system objectives. Learn what data to collect and monitor to ensure success and to evaluate potential changes in service - whether it is new service, service enhancements, or reductions in service. This two-day session will provide tools that any transit manager or supervisor can use with existing data and financial reports.

Find & Retain the Best, Engage or Confront the Rest: How to Wake Up Your Organization and Form a More Perfect Work Environment
May 21-22
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Instructors: Duncan Dickson and Caryn Souza
Employees are the most-valued asset an organization has, so it's of utmost importance that leaders commit to an environment that treats employees professionally and fairly. Building a winning team is established on the foundation of the organization's mission and tied in with positive expectations, open communication and a climate of good will based on the overall goals of the organization. Learn how to expand the skills that will help you achieve the greatest effectiveness from your workforce. In this interactive session, you will learn how to effectively hire the right people, evaluate job skills that directly relate to your job requirements, establish performance standards, and coach and counsel to motivate employees for peak performance. This course will reinforce what you already know while expanding your view about all aspects of effective employee relations. Whether it's the fundamentals about the legal side of HR to performance based management and evidence based leadership by the end of this course you'll be refocused on promoting your organization's values through your people and succeed at being a compassionate, professional employer. If you manage people, this session is for you.