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SUN 2023: Gulfport, Miss.
CTAA’s annual Small Urban Network (SUN) Conference – now heading into its ninth year – allows chief executives and leaders at small-urban transit agencies a chance to gather with their peers to network, share ideas and solutions and shape CTAA policy strategy impacting small urban systems in a collegial, retreat-like setting. Past SUN Conference attendees have noted they enjoy this event in particular due to its focused agenda and because nearly all its participants are their fellow transit managers and executives. After our past SUN Conferences in Denver, Asheville, Flagstaff, Athens, Missoula, Manchester and now Gulfport continues our trend of bringing this event to small cities, where attendees can experience the examples and ideas of their peers in action.
Schedule
Attendee's Guide
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Workshops
Thursday, August 10
Operator and Passenger Safety
9:15 - 10:15 a.m.
Speakers: Brian Litchfield (Chapel Hill), Scott Bogren (CTAA)
Legislative and Funding Update
10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Speakers: Ed Redfern (Bus Coalition), Scott Bogren (CTAA)
An Open Dialogue with FTA on Today's Bus Market
11:15 a.m. - Noon
Speaker: Scott Bogren (CTAA)
Lunch with FTA Region Administrator Dr. Yvette Taylor
Noon - 1 p.m.
Clear the Air: Reducing Costs and Emissions with Propane Autogas
1 - 2:15 p.m.
This session will provide insight into how fleet managers can easily transition to propane autogas vehicles to solve their clean fleet needs. Presenters will go over the basics of getting started with the ultra-low emissions fuel and why it’s an ideal choice for fleet operators—regardless of where they’re located or the size of the fleet. It will also cover how businesses can significantly reduce their emissions while saving on operation and energy costs and without compromising on reliability, range, or performance. Additionally, the presentation will cover how recent legislation, including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, prioritizes funding for propane autogas adoptions. Leaving this presentation, fleet owners will have a more realistic idea of how to get started with propane autogas to achieve environmental sustainability without risking their financial sustainability.
Traveling Workshop with COAST on Restoration and Historic Properties, Disaster Preparedness & Recovery, and Economic Development
4 - 5:30 p.m.
Kevin Coggin (COAST), Rusty Walker (Futurespec Consulting, President of the City Council), David Hardy (Eley Guild Hardy Architects, PA)
Friday, August 11
Return to Ridership
9 - 10 a.m.
Speakers: Tyffany Neal (FAST, Fayetteville, N.C.), Tristan Cunningham (DASH, Alexandria, Va.), Dale Bergman (Grand Forks Transit, Grand Forks, N.D.), Dinero Washington (SportTran, Shreveport, La.)
Roundtable Discussions
10 - 11 a.m.
Topics: TBA
SPONSORs
Alliance AutoGAS
Create Your Own Workshop, Table Top Sponsor and Vehicle Display
BYD
Table Top Sponsor, Thursday Afternoon Refreshment Break
Jericho Palm
Friday To-Go Snack, Table Top Sponsor
Lightning E Motors
Shrimp Boat Tour Transportation Sponsorship and Vehicle Display
Model 1 Commercial Vehicles
Vehicle Display
Propane Council
Create Your Own Workshop, Table Top Sponsor and Vehicle Display
TripSpark
Closing Reception Drinks/Bars, Table Top Sponsor
Coast Transit Authority
Wednesday and Thursday Dinner
SIGN UP FOR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND VEHICLE SPACE
Vicki Cummins
vcummins@showmgmt.com
Show Management Solutions (SMS)
- Download our Prospectus (PDF)
Hotel
Tours
Biloxi Shrimping Trip
SOLD OUT
Time: Wednesday, Aug. 9 from 10:30 a.m. – 11:40 a.m.
Learn everything you ever wanted to know about catching, cooking, and eating this delicious southern delicacy – Mississippi Gulf Coast Style. This 70-minute Living Marine Adventure Cruise is navigated in the calm, protected waters between Deer Island and the Biloxi shoreline for your comfort. Upon leaving the harbor, the shrimping net is set out with full details of how and what makes the net spread and operate correctly. The net will catch any and all sea creatures in its path along with the shrimp. The varieties range from Blue Crabs, Flounder, Stingray, Oysterfish, Squid, Pufferfish and numerous other species of local marine life. The entire catch will be identified and presented for your inspection by the Captain. Please note that transportation to and from the tour will be provided. The deadline to join is July 24. Additionally, this tour will be capped at 40 SUN attendees.
Tour of COAST Transit
Cost: Free
Time: Wednesday, Aug. 9 from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
This year’s SUN Conference is being hosted by COAST Transit Authority. We will be offering a tour of their system, with more detailed information to come soon!
The Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) and its members believe that mobility is a basic human right. From work and education to life-sustaining health care and human services programs to shopping and visiting with family and friends, mobility directly impacts quality of life.